Unit 8 U.S. Govt

A bill debated under "closed rules"

• may be considered with strict time limits and no amendments allowed from the floor.

• can exist only in the Senate

• exists in both houses, but may have nongermane amendments only in the Senate

• may have strict time limits, but amendments from the floor must always be allowed

All of the following are hurdles a bill must pass in BOTH houses before it becomes a law EXCEPT

• the Rules Committee

• committee consideration and debate

• introduction on the floor by a member of the body

• floor debate

The practice of one member of Congress supporting another member's pet project in return for support for his or her own project is known as

• logrolling

• pork barrel legislation

• gerrymandering

• congressional courtesy

Which of the following positions has almost no real power in Congress?

• president pro tempore of the Senate

• Senate majority leader

• Senate minority leader

• Speaker of the House

All of the following are constitutional powers expressly given to Congress EXCEPT

• to regulate intrastate commerce

• to regulate commerce with foreign nations

According to the Constitution, which power is granted exclusively to the House of Representatives?

• origination of all bills of revenue

• ratification of treaties

• trial of a Senate decision to impeach the president

• approval of presidential nominees to public office

A "cloture motion" is

• only used in the Senate.

• only in the House.

• provided for in the Constitution.

• no longer allowed in either House or Senate.

Which of the following is most responsible for fostering the development of expertise in special areas by members of Congress?

• the congressional system of standing committees

• the party leadership structure

• the system of joint actions between the houses of Congress

• the need to answer questions and concerns for their constituents

If one congressional district in a state were to have three times the population of another district in the state, the problem would be referred to as

• malapportionment

• gerrymandering

• cloture

• pork-barrelling

Who decides on pay increases for Congress?

• Congress itself

• the Supreme Court

• the president

• the state legislatures