AP Gov Unit 2 Test

Congress is on the verge of another government shutdown since they have not agreed to a spending bill. The difficulties in working with the other party on these types of issues is most likely caused by

• gerrymandering of Senate districts.

• divided government.

• lame-duck presidents.

• a lack of seniority on the committees for the opposition party.

Census data is important in drawing congressional districts that are proportionate to the population shifts within a state. This idea was challenged when Tennessee’s state legislature failed to reapportion congressional districts in the case

• McCulloch v. Maryland

• United States v. Lopez

• Shaw v. Reno

• Baker v. Carr

Which of the following is an enumerated power of Congress?

• Conducting oversight hearings on matters related to national security

• Creating environmental and pollution standards for American businesses

• Establishing consumer safety standards

• Determining an annual budget for government expenditures

Which of the following best describes the opinion of the cartoonist, as illustrated in the cartoon above?

• The legislative branch has lost influence in matters related to the military

• The president must be unafraid to act when it comes to military matters

• Congress’ power to command the armed forces is being eroded

• Congress’ budgetary power is its best check on military activity

A member of Congress is trying to decide how to vote on a bill protecting the environment. The member's constituents believe protecting the environment is the most important issue in the election and will vote on the bill based upon their constituents’ desires. In this situation, the member of Congress is acting most like a

• trustee

• delegate

• politico

• partisan

In 2016, oil and gas-related interest groups spent considerable amounts of money supporting various candidates for Congress. These groups were hoping to limit or roll back the regulations the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has placed on oil and gas drilling. Which of the following is the most likely way for Congress to assist these groups in their goal?

• Appointing a more energy-friendly head of the EPA

• Asking the Justice Department to look into the legality of EPA regulations

• Passing legislation narrowing the rule-making authority of the EPA

• Amending the Constitution to limit the government’s control of energy

A member of the Senate feels that a vote should not be allowed to occur on a particular bill. The most likely way to stop a vote on the bill before the full Senate can vote on it is

• to request a discharge petition.

• to begin a filibuster in hopes of talking the bill to death.

• to request the committee chair to table the bill and not schedule a debate.

• to place a legislative veto on the bill.

The primary message of Federalist No. 51 is

• the military may be controlled with strong state governments

• The judiciary will contain abuses of the majority through the power of judicial review

• a strong executive branch, specifically the president, will be able to check the legislative branch

• separate powers with checks and balances will help control abuses by the majority

The president appoints someone without any experience in education to be the Secretary of Education. This presidential action is most appropriately checked by

• The House of Representatives by rejecting the nomination with a majority vote

• The House of Representatives passing a continuing resolution

• The cabinet by rejecting the nomination with a majority vote

• The Senate by rejecting the nomination with a majority vote

Which of the following is an implied (informal/inherent) executive power?

• Sign treaties

• Pocket veto

• Signing Statements

• Declare war