6.2 - Investigations and Oversight

Why was the legislative veto declared unconstitutional?

• It violated First Amendment rights.

• It prevented bills from receiving fair consideration.

• It violated the separation of powers.

• It favored the interests of the majority party.

What did the legislative veto allow Congress to do?

• void executive orders of the president

• cancel actions of executive agencies

• prevent laws signed by the president from going into effect

• reject the president's budget

Which of the following can a congressional committee do during an investigation?

• require witnesses to testify under oath

• pardon officials found guilty of wrongdoing

• convict officials of a crime

• indict officials for misdemeanor offenses

What can happen to witnesses who lie under oath in a congressional hearing?

• They can be prosecuted for contempt.

• They can be granted immunity.

• They can be censured.

• They can be prosecuted for perjury.

What legal tool can a congressional committee use to require a witness to appear at a hearing?

• writ of habeas corpus

• subpoena

• warrant

• bill of attainder

Who now has the sole power to conduct ethics investigations of top officials?

• special prosecutor

• independent counsel

• Speaker of the House

• attorney general

A congressional committee can hold someone in contempt of Congress for

• refusing to testify.

• directing harsh language at committee members.

• refusing to accept immunity.

• willfully providing false evidence.

Why did Congress pass the Dodd-Frank bill?

• to reform banking practices

• to require the IRS to treat all groups equally

• to enable Congress to investigate public officials

• to allow Congress to curb excessive government spending

A grant of immunity is a way to get around the requirement to observe the rights in the

• First Amendment.

• Fourth Amendment.

• Fifth Amendment.

• Sixth Amendment.

The exercise of congressional oversight is a good example of what principle of U.S. government?

• federalism

• checks and balances

• separation of powers

• democracy