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WorksheetsFederal Government (3 Branches/Bureaucracy)
Total questions: 50
Worksheet time: 25mins
What is the patronage system?
Spoils system where supporters, friends and relatives are given government jobs as rewards for loyalty.
Practice of hiring individuals for government jobs based on qualifications and job performance.
Rules for hiring people for government jobs.
Computer system used to apply for federal jobs.
What happened when hiring for government jobs switched from Patronage to Merit System?
More family members and friends were hired.
The President lost some control over workers in the Executive branch.
It became easier for the President to fire workers of agencies in the Executive Branch.
The Senate became even busier because they had to approve more Presidential appointments for agency workers.
Switching from the Patronage System to the Merit System, which statement is now true?
Federal Judges no long have life terms.
Presidential appointments are now backlogged because there are so many people the President needs to appoint before the Senate can confirm.
More workers are technical experts, which often allow them to make policy.
Federal workers now have jobs for life. It is impossible for them to be fired.
Which of the following is NOT a reason Bureaucratic Agencies have more power to make more policies and at a faster rate than Congress?
Federal Workers have greater expertise in their field.
Most policy is made by elected officials.
Federal Workers are bi-partisan and often have work during many different Presidential terms.
It does not take a majority vote by both houses.
If the President wants an agency to move in a certain way, what is his best course of action?
Ask Congress to propose a bill, which will be signed into law when it returns to his desk.
Issue Executive Orders for that agency
Make all agencies get pre-approval personally by him before they carry out any action.
President can order OMB (Office of Management & Budget) to leave the agency out of the next Federal Budget request to Congress.
Why does Congress, our elected officials, allow Agencies, unelected officials, to make federal policy, instead of only Congress being allowed to make it?
Because agencies can make policy much faster.
Because it excludes the President having to sign off on it.
Because policies made by agencies are not subject to judicial review.
Because regulations made by agencies don't have to be followed by interest groups.
Which one is the best way for the President to influence an agency?
Through his appointment of agency heads
Through his appointment of rank and file agency bureaucrats
By threatening to shut down the government
Use his Bully Pulpit
What is a rank and file bureaucrat?
Bureaucrats that are appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate
Those who hold top level positions in the agencies
Department Heads in the President's Cabinet
Part of the Civil Service work force; those not appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate
When would a President work with agencies more than Congress to pursue his policy goals?
During the first part of his term (the first two years)
During the second part of his term (the last two years)
Only when his party controls Congress
Only when his party loses control of Congress
What is the relationship between the President and Congress during the last part of his term of office?
Their relationship improves because they've worked together for the last few years.
More bills and policies are passed since their relationship focuses more on the people rather than themselves running for office.
The think of him as a lame duck with very little power or influence left since he may be leaving office in the next election
They stop communicating with each other and nothing gets passed in the last year or so.
What is the definition of a government corporation?
A company that is owned by the government and operates with the same independence of a private business, except that the owner is the government.
A department that is run by a person appointed by the president and confirmed by the senate.
A business owned by the government that uses government money to fund it.
A government agency that does not have to go through the oversight process by the Senate and is exempt from Judicial Review
Which statement is true about a Government Corporation?
They are fully funded by the appropriations committee
They charge fees to cover the cost of funding.
They are created by statute
They can never file bankruptcy since they are a government business.
Which one is the most common example of a Government Corporation?
Department of Education
OMB (Office of Management and Budget)
Department of Defense
U.S. Post Office
What is the definition of an Independent Regulatory Commission?
Agencies that are free from political influence. They impose and enforce regulations.
The governing authority of a political unit or department.
A permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions.
A company that is owned by the government and operates with the same independence of a private business, except that the owner is the government.
Who runs an Independent Regulatory Commission?
Commissioners
Department Heads
A member of Congress
Agency Heads
What is one thing true for Department leaders but not to a Commissioners?
Their position is funded by Congress
They have power to issues Executive Orders
The President has the power to remove them from their position
They are subject to Congressional oversight
Identify a check of the executive branch on the judicial branch
President can remove Federal Judges
President can refuse to enforce a SCOTUS decision
President can insist all SCOTUS decisions go through the Attorney General before being final
Congress can impeach
What is the best reason for a President to use informal powers to achieve his policy goals?
Formal powers can only be used during times of war
Formal powers can only be used with permission of Congress
Powers of the President are vague and sometimes using persuasion is effective
Powers must be shared between the President and his Vice President
Identify which one is an Informal Power of the President
Commander-in-Chief
Power to pardon Federal Crimes
Public Speaking Engagements
State of the Union Address
Identify which one is a Formal Power of the President
Use of Media to shape public opinion
Lobbying individuals in Congress
Presidential Proclamations
Advocacy for policy positions and agenda on Social Media
Which statement is true about a Treaty and an Executive Agreement?
Both have to be approved by the Senate before being implemented.
A treaty becomes law, but an Executive Agreement is just a formal agreement and can easily be rescinded by future presidents.
Executive Agreements can be approved by Congress, but Treaties are approved only by Senate.
Both can be rescinded by the next President.
In regards to our military, which statement is most true?
President is the Commander-in-Chief and Congress raises and supports the military
President Declares War and Congress agrees to send troops to battle.
President Appoints the Secretary of Defense and Congress approves Officer Commissions
President raises the army and maintains the navy through the Department of Defense and Congress approves their salary
Which one is an accurate comparison of the veto and pocket veto?
Neither can be overturned by Congress.
A veto can be overturned by a 2/3 vote in Congress. A pocket veto can be overturned by a simple majority.
A veto can be overturned by Congress. A pocket veto can be overturned by SCOTUS.
Veto can be overturned by Congress, but a pocket veto cannot.
Which of the following Presidential appointments does NOT need Senate approval?
Supreme Court Justice
Federal Judge
National Security Advisor
Secretary of State
When the President is popular, what can happen?
Popularity doesn't matter. President is always limited in power by the Constitution
President becomes more powerful and can achieve more policy goals, even if the power being used isn't explicitly in the Constitution.
President still needs explicit authority from Congress before acting.
SCOTUS doesn't need to be consulted about issues as often.
What is the stewardship theory?
Belief that Presidents can exercise inherent undefined powers that aren't in the Constitution in order to advance national interests.
Theory that checks and balances exist to prevent any one person from serving personal interests rather than representing US Citizens.
Believe that Judicial Review is necessary to prevent one branch from becoming too powerful and not serving the interests of America.
Theory that the scope of presidential power can be expanded only through acts of Congress and Constitutional Amendments.
What is a consequence of Mass Media on the Presidency?
Presidents have greatly increased their power over the Judicial Branch over ability to use Social Media to gain political favor
Presidents recently have lost political power as they competed against all the members of Congress who are also using Social Media to gain favor with the public.
Presidential Power to persuade has increased due to the numerous ways to get his message out to the public.
Presidential Power to persuade has decreased due to overexposure by the media.
Which statement is true about the difference between a regulatory commission and cabinet departments?
President has less control over regulatory commissions as they are created by Congress and mostly out of the control of the President, who is in complete charge of the cabinet departments
President can push through policies faster through regulatory commissions than in cabinet departments.
Commissioners and Department heads are appointed by the President, but commissioners can be fired without Senate approval.
States can more easily challenge policy from regulatory commissions as compared to departments.
Which is a logical consequence of Federalism?
It complicates things such as policy making (who does what, local, state, national....confusing)
It ensures uniformity of policy making (clear divisions of which level of government is in charge of things)
It creates a balance between the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches.
It limits the involvement of US Citizens in the policy making process
The General Welfare Clause has been used by Presidents to create all of the following except which one?
Job Corps (President Johnson)
Social Security (President Roosevelt)
Antiquities Act (President Roosevelt)
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) (President Roosevelt)
Why will a president choose to make policy using an Executive Order rather than asking Congress to pass a law?
Legislation, even when proposed by the president, takes a long time. Executive Orders are immediate since they do not need approval of anyone.
Executive Orders can not be declared unconstitutional like laws can.
Executive Orders can not be superseded by future legislation.
Presidential approval ratings usually increase after Executive Orders, when compared to legislation.
How can Congress go around a SCOTUS decision on a Federal Law?
This is illegal. There is no way they can do that. They must follow SCOTUS rulings.
Require states to make a similar law in order to receive federal aid
Ask SCOTUS for a second opinion.
Ask the President not to enforce their decision and ruling.
The federal government has declared speed limit maximums, minimum age to buy and sell tobacco, and education acts similar to No Child Left Behind. Can states do what they want, regardless of these Acts and Laws?
Yes, however they would receive less Federal Money because part of receiving the money is following these conditions.
No, Supremacy Clause states any and all Federal Government rulings must be followed.
No, because of Federalism, these are shared powers and they agree to follow each other.
No, because it would force the President to send in military troops to force them to comply.
Which state law would be considered illegal because of Federalism?
Decreasing the years students go to school from 12 to 10 (students would "graduate" after 10th)
Stopping commercial vehicles weighing more than 15 tons from traveling on Interstates to protect the roads from more damage.
Increasing the number of tests teachers must take and pass to be licensed to teach in that state.
Lowering the buying of tobacco products from 18 to 15.
Congress, over the last 200 years, has increased policy making to unprecedented levels. Which reason below does NOT explain why this is happening?
A loose interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) beginning with the ruling of SCOTUS McCulloch v Maryland
A loose interpretation of the Commerce Clause, despite SCOTUS US v Lopez, which limited it a tiny bit
Increase spending in the form of mandates and grants given to states by the Federal Government (states want federal money; they will often comply to get it)
Strict interpretation of the 10th Amendment
How are Committee Chairs chosen at the Senate Level?
Majority party with the most years served in the Senate and the Committee
Majority party with the most years served in the Senate, even if new to the Committee
The person with the most years served in the Senate, regardless of political party.
The person with the most years served in the Senate and the Committee, regardless of political party.
What is the best tactic to use as a Senator if there are not enough votes to pass a bill out of committee that you want?
Ask the Senate Majority Leader to change the committee members and leader to get Senators most likely to pass your bill.
Ask the Senate Majority Leader to deny renomination of a member who refused to vote yes.
Add "pork barrel" items other members want to get their vote.
Contact a member of the House who has a similar bill and ask for suggestions on how to get it passed.
What is the committee of the whole?
A place where there is more flexibility in debating a bill and amendments, rather than the stricter rules under normal house procedures.
The whole house of representatives are members of this committee, rather than small committees made of just a few members.
The entire Senate are members of the committee, rather than small committees made of just a few Senators.
A committee that includes both House of Representatives and Senators.
What is the Origination Clause?
Suggestion that all tax bills must begin in the House of Representatives.
An amendment that states all tax bills must being in the House of Representatives.
Requirement that all tax bills must begin in the House of Representatives.
Constitutional statement that says all money bills can begin in either the Senate or House of Representatives.
What is the job of the Majority Whip in the House of Representatives?
To ensure all political party members of their party are attending their committees and showing up to vote.
To whip up support for committee members when it's time to decide who will do what.
To encourage members of their party to support particular bills.
To take over if the Speaker of the House is removed.
Because most members of Congress are reelected, and therefore serve on the same committees year after year after year, which statement is most true?
Each member has a lot of power on a few important topics
Gridlock is happening more and more as the same members refuse to give up their positions, and nothing gets done.
Every member has an equal opportunity to get bills passed.
Only legislation that benefits the entire country will be passed on to the Senate.
What method is used to stop a seemingless endless debate on the Senate floor and force a vote on a bill?
Filibuster
Cloture
Hold
Unanimous Consent Agreement
Senators want a bill to get through to a vote without a filibuster and endless debate. Which of the following can be used to restrict debate and begin consideration of the legislation?
Filibuster
Cloture
Hold
Unanimous consent agreement
This is a common phrase that allows the Senate to set aside their usual procedures for considering a bill or amendment, effectively stopping endless debates and riders.
Filibuster
Cloture
Hold
Unanimous consent agreement
Which nomination will cause the most uproar and conflict?
Secretary of State
Secretary of Defense
SCOTUS
White House Chief of Staff
If a Congressman wants to be reelected and remain popular with her constituents, which way should they act when voting?
Delegate Model
Trustee Model
Politico Model
Congressional Model
If a Congressman knows they will be reelected, regardless of how they act and vote in office, how might they act?
Delegate Model
Trustee Model
Politico Model
Congressional Model
How is the Senate President elected?
Majority vote of the sitting Senators
Electoral College
Popular Vote
Nominated by the President
Who serves as the Senate President?
Majority Whip
Senate Pro Tempore
Vice President
Senator with the most experience
What is the most powerful committee, bar none, in both houses of Congress?
House of Representatives Rules Committee
OMB (Office of Management and Budget)
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
House and Senate Rules Committees have equal power
