Question 1

Explain the process by which legislation is drafted and becomes law.What role do different groups, formal and informal, inside Congress and out, play in the process? Why is the procedure so complicated? What are the drawbacks and advantages of this procedure? Should the legislative process be streamlined?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

What was the MOST recent conflict in which Congress officially declared war?

Accepted Answer

World War II was the last conflict in which the United States Congress officially declared war, with declarations made against Japan, Germany, and Italy, among others, in the early 1940s. Subsequent conflicts, such as the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Iraq War, were authorized by other means, such as resolutions or military authorizations, but not formal declarations of war by Congress.

Question 3

Explain the process by which citizens choose their representatives.What resources must one have to win a congressional election? Why are incumbents so hard to unseat? Do the long tenures enjoyed by many congressmen undermine democracy or benefit their constituency?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

In general, the effectiveness of congressional oversight of the executive branch

Accepted Answer

Congressional oversight of the executive branch often depends on the cooperation of the president being overseen. If the president is uncooperative or unresponsive, it can be difficult for Congress to effectively exercise its oversight authority. While the Constitution does grant Congress the power to oversee the executive branch, the balance of power between the two branches can make it difficult for Congress to enforce this authority. Factors such as divided government, political polarization, and the president's ability to control information can also impact the effectiveness of congressional oversight.

Question 5

When presented with a bill, the president can respond in all of the following ways EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The president does not have the power to exercise a line-item veto. This was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1998 in Clinton v. City of New York.

Question 6

Discuss the methods by which Congress might be made more receptive to the American public, and the American public more invested in Congress.What significant problems must be addressed in order for Americans to regain trust in and engagement with Congress? What solutions are best suited to solving these problems? Are these solutions feasible? Is there any likelihood that the people's relationship with Congress will change meaningfully in the immediate future?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

Which of the following statements about the federal budget is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

While approximately 25 percent of the federal budget is allocated to nondiscretionary expenditures such as Social Security and Medicare, the remainder is not necessarily available for any program that Congress desires. The remaining budget is divided into discretionary spending, which is determined by Congress each year through the appropriations process, and interest on the federal debt, which is non-negotiable. Therefore, Congress does not have free rein to allocate the majority of the federal budget.

Question 8

In order to secure approval of a Cabinet secretary, the president must gain the approval of

Accepted Answer

The Constitution requires only a simple majority vote of the Senate to approve Cabinet secretaries nominated by the president. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 9

This president suffered a major defeat when the Senate refused to ratify the Versailles Treaty:

Accepted Answer

Woodrow Wilson suffered a major defeat when the Senate refused to ratify the Versailles Treaty, which ended World War I and established the League of Nations. The Senate's rejection was in part due to Wilson's refusal to compromise on certain provisions of the treaty, such as the inclusion of the United States in the League of Nations without the need for Congress to approve any future military actions. The failure to ratify the treaty was a significant blow to Wilson's legacy and damaged his health, as he undertook a nationwide speaking tour to rally support for the treaty.

Question 10

Which of the following statements about the War Powers Resolution is MOST accurate?

Accepted Answer

No president has fully recognized the constitutionality of the War Powers Resolution, often viewing it as an infringement on executive power, although it has not been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Question 11

How many times has Congress officially declared war?

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

What tactic have presidents employed more recently to ensure Senate ratification of negotiated treaties?

Accepted Answer

Presidents have more recently employed the tactic of conferring with senators during the negotiating process to ensure Senate ratification of negotiated treaties. This approach helps build consensus and address concerns early in the process.

Question 13

Only the House of Representatives, not the Senate, may initiate

Accepted Answer

According to the Constitution, only the House of Representatives has the power to initiate revenue bills, also known as bills for raising taxes or increasing government revenue. This power was granted to the House as a measure of popular control over taxation and government spending.

Question 14

Which procedure allows a senator to prevent a vote on an issue until the Senate leadership consults individually with the senator?

Accepted Answer

The procedure that allows a senator to prevent a vote on an issue until the Senate leadership consults individually with the senator is called a "hold." With a hold, the senator can delay consideration of a bill or nomination without actually speaking on the floor or using a filibuster. This tactic is often used to buy time for negotiations or to get concessions from Senate leadership.

Question 15

In which of the following conflicts did Congress officially declare war?

Accepted Answer

Congress officially declared war on Great Britain in 1812, making it the only conflict in the list to have a formal declaration of war. The other conflicts were authorized through other means, such as congressional resolutions or executive orders.

Question 16

Which of the following is required to remove a president from office via the impeachment process?

Accepted Answer

A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required for the removal of a president from office via the impeachment process. The House of Representatives initiates the impeachment process by bringing charges against the president, but it is the Senate that conducts a trial and votes on whether or not to remove the president from office. The other options listed are not part of the impeachment process for removing a president from office.

Question 17

Discuss the role committees play in Congress.What are the various types of committees? How are committee seats awarded? What powers do committees possess? Is the committee system a positive good or a necessary evil?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

In order to secure ratification of a treaty, the president must gain the approval of

Accepted Answer

According to the Constitution, in order to ratify a treaty, the president must gain the approval of two-thirds of the Senate (Article II, Section 2). The House does not have a role in ratifying treaties.

Question 19

Describe how Congress received its structure and functions.What alternatives were argued for in Philadelphia before the delegates agreed on the current bicameral structure? Why were those alternatives rejected? What powers does the Constitution explicitly grant to Congress? What powers has Congress claimed for itself? How has the influence and standing of Congress changed over time?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how Congress received its structure and...

Question 20

Which of the following statements about impeachment is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the only two presidents ever to be impeached were both charged with bribery (and both acquitted) is the least accurate statement. Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth president of the United States, was impeached in 1868 for violating the Tenure of Office Act, not for bribery. Bill Clinton, the forty-second president of the United States, was impeached in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice, not for bribery. Therefore, option E is the least accurate statement.

Quiz 11: Congress: Doing the Peoples Business