Deck 2: Evolution of the Modern Congress

Question 1

Most of the newly formed states wrote constitutions that gave the bulk of powers to which branch of government?

A) legislative
B) executive
C) judicial
D) bureaucracy

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of the following powers does the Constitution grant to Congress?

A) broad powers of taxing and spending
B) power to declare laws unconstitutional
C) power to appoint individuals to certain positions
D) power over the pocket veto

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following foreign policy powers is granted to the US Congress?

A) declaring war
B) collect taxes
C) designating a commander in chief
D) power of appointment

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following limitations on government power is specifically listed in the Bill of Rights?

A) right to free speech
B) right to vote
C) citizenship rights
D) right to privacy

Question 5

Which of the following powers allows the president to influence the direction of legislation in Congress?

A) The president can veto legislation passed by Congress.
B) Congress is required to vote on any bill proposed by the president.
C) The president appoints the Speaker of the House.
D) The president can introduce legislation into Congress.

Question 6

Which of the following elements of the modern Congress is outlined specifically in the Constitution?

A) party organizations
B) bicameralism
C) the committee system
D) the filibuster

Question 7

Which of the following is an institutional development utilized by Congress to deal with increasing workload pressures?

A) congressional overrides
B) impeachment proceedings that are divided among the House and Senate
C) the creation of an extensive system of standing committees
D) the filibuster

Question 8

Which of the following is an indicator of increased professionalization in Congress?

A) increased numbers of congressional staff
B) congress is in recess more than it is in session
C) being a member of Congress is still considered a part-time job
D) higher levels of fund-raising are required to be elected

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of constituency service?

A) sending out a newsletter to fellow Congress members
B) helping a constituent access Social Security benefits
C) sending a fund-raising letter to constituents
D) teaming up with lobbyists to pass certain legislation

Question 10

Which of the following features of government did the founders adopt from the British political system?

A) judicial review by the Supreme Court
B) the president's power to appoint governors and other local officials
C) the president was designated as the most important policy maker
D) a bicameral structure to Congress

Question 11

Which of the following provisions in the Constitution helps foster congressional independence?

A) the president's veto power
B) Members generally cannot be arrested during congressional sessions, except in extreme circumstances.
C) Political parties help fund electoral campaigns and provide other resources such as voter outreach.
D) Congressional committees are carefully designed to avoid outside influence.

Question 12

Which of the following is a required step for removing the president from office during his term?

A) The House of Representatives draws up articles of impeachment.
B) The Senate adopts articles of impeachment by majority vote.
C) The Supreme Court approves the articles of impeachment with a unanimous vote.
D) The Supreme Court convicts on one or more of the articles of impeachment.

Question 13

The Stamp Act, the Tea Act, and Intolerable Acts were all British enactments that spurred opposition and protest in the colonies.

Question 14

The US Congress was the first representative legislative body in the world.

Question 15

When writing new state constitutions after the Revolutionary War, all states included a bill of rights.

Question 16

The Constitution describes the powers and organization of Congress in much more detail than those of the president.

Question 17

Executive privilege is defined as the power of the president to implement congressional statutes.

Question 18

The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established the power of judicial review.

Question 19

Congress's power was sharply limited by new amendments ratified in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War.

Question 20

Congress's power to pass laws its members believe are in the best interests of the nation is essentially unlimited.

Question 21

The powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches are strictly separated and never overlap.

Question 22

Congress's workload has increased dramatically over time and has often prompted institutional change.

Question 23

The Senate tends to be more informal, while the House of Representatives operates under more complex and formal rules.

Question 24

The filibuster is difficult to reform because it is outlined in the Constitution and would require a constitutional amendment to change or eliminate.

Question 25

Under the Constitution, all war powers belong to the president as commander in chief.

Question 26

Unlike in a parliamentary system, Senators and House members in the United States are prohibited from taking jobs in the executive branch while in office.

Question 27

On average, modern Congresses typically pass laws enacting a majority of the president's policy proposals.

Question 28

What elements in colonial America fostered the growth of democratic institutions?

Question 29

How has party politics influenced institutional development in Congress? Be sure to illustrate your answer with a specific example.

Question 30

Why did the newly formed states initially designate the legislative branch as the most powerful?

Question 31

In what ways can Congress influence the judicial branch?

Question 32

How did the Civil War amendments impact national power?

Question 33

Outline two important limitations on congressional power and give an example of each.

Question 34

How does the veto power allow the president to influence congressional legislation?

Question 35

How can Congress respond when the Supreme Court exercises the power of judicial review? Provide examples to illustrate your answer.

Question 36

What are congressional overrides and why have they become increasingly rare in recent years?

Question 37

Why did the framers choose bicameralism to organize Congress?

Question 38

Why has careerism among members of Congress risen over time?

Question 39

What is meant by the "institutionalization" of Congress and what factors led to its development?

Question 40

Identify an important institutional reform in congressional history. Explain how and why this reform was achieved with reference to one or more of the explanations outlined in the text.