Congressional Committees and Powers

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What type of committees are relatively permanent and handle the day-to-day business of Congress?

• Special Committees

• Joint Committees

• Standing Committees

• Conference Committees

What is the primary function of special or select committees in Congress?

• To reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

• To handle the day-to-day legislative business of Congress.

• To deal with particular issues that are beyond the jurisdiction of standing committees.

• To oversee the Library of Congress.

What power allows a committee chair to control which ideas are considered as bills and make it onto the agenda?

• Oversight Power

• Proposal Power

• Mark-up Power

• Gatekeeping Authority

What happens to a bill if it does not receive a majority of votes in its assigned committee?

• It is automatically sent to the other chamber for a vote.

• It is returned to the member who proposed it for revisions.

• It "dies in committee" and will not be reported out to the full House or Senate.

• It is sent directly to the President for approval or veto.

What significant change occurred in the power of the Speaker of the House and the committee system under Newt Gingrich's speakership in 1994?

• The Speaker's power was reduced, and the number of subcommittees increased.

• The Speaker's power was increased, and seniority rules for appointing committee chairs were changed.

• Committee chairs were exclusively chosen by the President, and term limits were abolished.

• The number of subcommittees remained the same, but all committee chairs were elected by popular vote.

What are the two primary categories of congressional staff that assist members of Congress and the institution as a whole?

• Campaign managers and public relations specialists.

• Personal assistants and administrative clerks.

• Staff assistants for individual members and specialized staff agencies for Congress.

• Lobbyists and political strategists.

Which of the following specialized staff agencies is responsible for assessing the likely costs and impact of proposed legislation?

• The Congressional Research Service (CRS).

• The Government Accountability Office (GAO).

• The Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

• The Library of Congress.

What is the main purpose of caucuses within Congress?

• To formally vote on all legislation before it reaches the full chamber.

• To provide a platform for like-minded members to discuss ideas and coordinate efforts.

• To serve as official legislative committees with binding decision-making power.

• To manage the personal schedules and administrative tasks of individual congresspeople.