Question 1

Both chambers of Congress developed standing committee systems by what year?

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives established its first standing committees in 1816, and the Senate followed suit in 1825.

Question 2

Speakers of the House over time had attempted to ignore committees that were out-of-step with their agenda. The chamber responded in turn by restricting the number of standing committees from 48 to 19 by passing what legislation?

Accepted Answer

The Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 was responsible for reducing the number of standing committees in the House from 48 to 19, streamlining the legislative process and increasing efficiency.

Question 3

Which of the following did NOT enhance the power of committee chairs in Congress?

Accepted Answer

The Subcommittee Bill of Rights was designed to reduce the power of committee chairs by empowering subcommittees and their chairs, thus decentralizing authority within committees.

Question 4

Which of the following was NOT a norm developed during the Textbook Congress that favored committee chairs?

Accepted Answer

This option does not reflect a norm developed during the Textbook Congress. The other options describe norms that favored committee chairs by emphasizing the authority and control of the chair over committee members.

Question 5

Committees have existed since the first session of Congress. During the earliest years of Congress every bill passed through which committee?

Accepted Answer

During the earliest years of Congress, there were no standing committees like the ones listed. Bills were often handled by temporary select committees or by the Committee of the Whole.

Question 6

______________ is well known for exercising intense control, and not bowing to the power of committee chairs, during their time as Speaker of the House.

Accepted Answer

All of the above exercised intense control and did not bow to the power of committee chairs during their time as Speaker of the House.

Question 7

In the early years of Congress committees were meant to do what?

Accepted Answer

In the early years of Congress, committees were primarily established to recommend legislation to their parent chambers, helping to organize and streamline the legislative process.

Question 8

When a member watches how another more experienced and involved member votes on an issue it is known as what?

Accepted Answer

Signaling refers to the act of observing and interpreting the actions or decisions of others, often to guide one's own actions or decisions. In this context, it involves watching how a more experienced member votes to inform one's own voting decision.

Question 9

Gatekeeping is best defined as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Gatekeeping refers to the power of a committee or its chair to decide whether a bill will be considered by the full chamber, effectively controlling the legislative agenda.

Question 10

About ____ bills died in committee during the 114^th Congress.

Accepted Answer

The answer of About ____ bills died in committee during...

Question 11

The outline for which committees are assigned which issues is known as what?

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the specific areas of policy or issues that a committee is responsible for overseeing or addressing.

Question 12

Political scientists agree that the committee system is effective, in one way or another, for attaining which of the following goals?

Accepted Answer

The committee system helps in crafting good public policy, aids members in gaining influence, and supports their reelection efforts by allowing them to focus on issues important to their constituents.

Question 13

Authorizing Committees do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Authorizing Committees are responsible for studying new issues, developing new policies, and creating new federal programs or agencies. They set the guidelines and frameworks for federal programs.

Question 14

Before new federal programs can be established the program must be funded by the Appropriations Committees. But, before the program can be funded, what must first occur?

Accepted Answer

Before a new federal program can be funded, it must first be authorized by Congress. Authorization is a legislative action that establishes or continues a federal program or agency and sets forth the guidelines to which it must adhere.

Question 15

Bills regarding raising revenue must originate in the House and those bills are generally delegated to which committee?

Accepted Answer

The House Ways and Means Committee is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives and is responsible for bills related to raising revenue.

Question 16

North Korea has declared war on the United States and members of Congress are under pressure to quickly allocate money to fight. Senator Watkins has submitted a supplemental budget request to fund additional defense spending. Which committee has jurisdiction over such requests?

Accepted Answer

The Senate Budget Committee has jurisdiction over budgetary matters, including supplemental budget requests for defense spending.

Question 17

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 did NOT do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 did not ban the White House from writing future federal budget documents. It reformed the budget process to give Congress more control, but the executive branch still plays a role in budget proposals.

Question 18

Membership on the House Budget Committee is limited, but members can be granted extended membership in what way?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Membership on the House Budget Committee is...

Question 19

Which committees handle inquiries into the behavior of members?

Accepted Answer

Ethics Committees are responsible for handling inquiries into the behavior of members, ensuring they adhere to established ethical standards.

Question 20

What happens if a rule, sent to the floor by the House Rules Committee, is defeated on the floor?

Accepted Answer

If a rule is defeated on the floor, it is sent back to the Rules Committee along with its accompanying bill and can be taken up again at the discretion of the Rules Committee.

Quiz 7: The Committees