Deck 15: Congress and National Security Policies

Question 1

Which of these institutions or branches of government tends to take the lead in foreign policy and military action?

A) the president
B) Congress
C) the Supreme Court
D) state governments

Answer 1

A

Question 2

All of the following foreign policy-related powers are granted to the president in the Constitution EXCEPT ______.

A) negotiating treaties
B) declaring war
C) serving as commander in chief of the armed forces
D) receiving ambassadors

Answer 2

B

Question 3

All of the following foreign policy-related powers are granted to Congress in the Constitution EXCEPT ______.

A) declaring war
B) regulating foreign commerce
C) funding the military
D) line-item vetoing

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a structural policy?

A) selecting a specific weapons system
B) deciding on troop levels
C) allocation of military aid to a foreign country
D) the US response to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of a strategic policy?

A) declaring war
B) responding to human rights abuses abroad
C) a hostage rescue operation
D) signing a contract with a private supplier

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a crisis policy?

A) a trade bill that impacts domestic industries
B) selecting the location of a military installation
C) the special forces mission to kill Osama Bin Laden
D) selling arms to a foreign government

Question 7

What are BRACs meant to accomplish?

A) military base closures
B) escalation of troop levels
C) transfer of arms to foreign governments
D) easing diplomatic relations

Question 8

What is the nature of "fast-track" trade negotiations (also called trade promotion authority)?

A) Trade pacts negotiated by the president are subject to an up-or-down vote in both houses of Congress within 90 days.
B) Trade agreements that open markets are subject to fewer restrictions than those that seek to implement tariffs and other protectionist measures.
C) Congress has more authority in trade agreements than in other types of international policies.
D) The Senate does not allow filibusters on any trade-related bills.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of "legislative prodding?"

A) declining to approve a treaty negotiated by the president
B) introducing a bill to require congressional review of nuclear agreements with Iran
C) closing multiple military bases through the BRAC procedure
D) bringing a case against the president or other executive officials in the Supreme Court

Question 10

Which of the following is required by the War Powers Resolution?

A) The Senate must approve executive agreements with a two-thirds vote before they have force of law.
B) A declaration of war is required before any US troops are deployed.
C) The President must consult with Congress before introducing US troops into hostilities.
D) Pentagon funding must be reauthorized by Congress every 6 months.

Question 11

The last 60 years have seen a growing imbalance in the military versus nonmilitary elements of foreign policy.

Question 12

Historically, the United States has long considered itself deeply involved in worldwide conflicts and has engaged in extensive international military involvement.

Question 13

Foreign policy powers are allocated exclusively to the president, with Congress playing almost no significant role.

Question 14

President Trump's view of free trade agreements is different from traditional GOP orthodoxy.

Question 15

Spending on international affairs and foreign aid through the State Department far outpaces military spending.

Question 16

Congress can lead public opinion, mobilize political opposition, and thereby constrain the president's choices.

Question 17

The Supreme Court has held that executive agreements are unconstitutional because they do not follow the treaty procedures laid out in the Constitution.

Question 18

Hundreds of foreign and defense policy reporting requirements are embedded in the current statutes pertaining to oversight.

Question 19

Congress often includes legislative restrictions on executive power in foreign affairs in appropriations or authorizations bills.

Question 20

Crisis policies engage decision makers at the highest levels.

Question 21

War powers are shared by all of the governmental branches.

Question 22

President Trump has proposed the creation of a new military branch: the Space Force.

Question 23

Foreign trade falls in line with redistributive policies.

Question 24

Today, a major challenge for defense planners is how to allocate scarce resources among competing security priorities.

Question 25

The use of false data, fake stores, and deepfake videos are considered to be a part of a diverse type of warfare.

Question 26

No-win wars are often against nonstate actors and can go on for years without the traditional endpoint of a treaty between combatants.

Question 27

What is the difference between a treaty and an executive agreement?

Question 28

What are the major components of national interest?

Question 29

Why is congressional oversight during times of war or crisis particularly difficult?

Question 30

How does the military-industrial-congressional complex relate to the idea of "two Congresses?"

Question 31

Why are military bases difficult to close, and how has Congress dealt with this problem?

Question 32

What are some of the advantages the president holds in the arena of foreign policy?

Question 33

When is the president's foreign policy power strongest, and when is it weakest? Why?

Question 34

What foreign policy and war powers are Congress granted by the Constitution, and which of these seems to be most significant/important?

Question 35

How has the evolving nature of warfare in the modern age changed the way Congress and the president deal with these issues?

Question 36

What is sequestration, and how has the Pentagon dealt with budget cuts from the sequester?

Question 37

What are the major congressional committees that deal with foreign affairs and what are their duties? Does a proliferation of international relations-related committees seem to work effectively?

Question 38

What are the most common tools used by Congress to influence strategic policies related to international affairs and national defense? Which of these seems to be the most effective?

Question 39

Explain President Trump's view on trade politics. What are his strategies?

Question 40

Select an ongoing or historical international conflict, either military or diplomatic. What actions did the president take with regard to this conflict, and what actions did Congress take? Did these branches seem to cooperate in these actions or conflict? Which branch seemed to have the upper hand, and why this could vary at different points in the conflict?