Question 1

Carol Moseley Braun, the first African American woman to serve in the Senate, came to office in ________.

Accepted Answer

Carol Moseley Braun came to office in 1993, as the first African American woman to be elected to the United States Senate.

Question 2

In recent years in Congress,

Accepted Answer

Numerous studies and assessments have shown that the polarization of the two major parties in the United States has increased in recent years. This has led to greater divisiveness and difficulty in passing legislation on many important issues.

Question 3

Joseph "Uncle Joe" Cannon is an example of an exceptionally powerful turn-of-the-century

Accepted Answer

Joseph "Uncle Joe" Cannon was the Speaker of the House from 1903 to 1911 and was known for his strong leadership style and ability to control the House of Representatives. He was infamous for his use of the "Cannon Rules" which gave the Speaker unprecedented power over the legislative process.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about Congress is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

The original Constitution allowed only members of the House of Representatives to be directly elected by the people. Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures until the 17th Amendment allowed for their direct election.

Question 5

Hiram Fong, the first Asian American to serve in the Senate, came to office in ________.

Accepted Answer

Hiram Fong came to office in 1959.

Question 6

Which of the following midterm elections saw the LOWEST percentage of incumbents win reelection?

Accepted Answer

In the 2010 midterm elections, the percentage of incumbents who won reelection was notably lower compared to other years listed. This was largely due to a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment fueled by various factors, including economic issues and the rise of the Tea Party movement, leading to a significant number of incumbents being defeated.

Question 7

Which of the following powers does the Constitution NOT explicitly grant to Congress?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution does not explicitly grant Congress the power to regulate environmental standards. However, this power has been inferred through the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Question 8

The presidencies of Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt are notable for

Accepted Answer

Both Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt were known for expanding executive power during their presidencies. Theodore Roosevelt's use of the "bully pulpit" and his introduction of the concept of the "stewardship theory" allowed him to take on a more active role in regulating business and protecting natural resources. Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal programs greatly expanded the role of the federal government in addressing economic issues and providing social safety nets, further cementing the concept of a powerful executive branch.

Question 9

The Framers overcame internal squabbling by agreeing to the Great Compromise, which

Accepted Answer

The Great Compromise, also known as the Connecticut Compromise, created a bicameral system that satisfied both large and small states. The House of Representatives would be based on proportional representation, giving larger states more voting power, while the Senate would have equal representation for each state. This compromise helped to establish a balance of power between the states and the federal government.

Question 10

Approximately how many constituents does the average congressperson represent?

Accepted Answer

The average congressperson in the United States House of Representatives represents about 710,700 constituents, based on the apportionment of seats using the most recent census data.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT generally one of the advantages incumbents wield over challengers?

Accepted Answer

Incumbents are typically more closely associated with a political party and are less able to hide their leanings than challengers, who may be able to present themselves as more moderate or independent to attract a broader base of voters.

Question 12

Powers the Constitution explicitly grants to Congress are known as

Accepted Answer

The term "enumerated powers" refers to the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution. These include, for example, the power to raise and support armies, to coin money, and to regulate commerce.

Question 13

In 2016, what percentage of incumbent congressional members won their reelection bids?

Accepted Answer

In 2016, 97 percent of incumbent congressional members won their reelection bids, reflecting the high rate of incumbency advantage in U.S. elections.

Question 14

The American people directly elect their senators as a result of

Accepted Answer

The direct election of senators by the American people is a result of the Seventeenth Amendment, which was ratified in 1913. Prior to this amendment, senators were selected by state legislatures.

Question 15

The elastic clause of the Constitution allows Congress to

Accepted Answer

The elastic clause, also known as the necessary and proper clause, grants Congress the authority to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution. This means that Congress can claim powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution if they are necessary and proper for carrying out its other powers.

Question 16

Which of the following statements about Congress today is LEAST accurate?

Accepted Answer

This statement is not accurate. Committee seats are now awarded based on seniority, not merit.

Question 17

In the decades following Andrew Jackson's presidency, primacy in formulating public policy shifted to the

Accepted Answer

In the decades following Andrew Jackson's presidency, the Senate became the primary body in formulating public policy, largely due to its role in foreign affairs, its longer terms which provided stability, and the influence of prominent senators who led major legislative efforts.

Question 18

Which of the following descriptions best captures the popular view of the Senate in the late nineteenth century?

Accepted Answer

The Senate in the late nineteenth century was perceived as a group of wealthy politicians who were influenced by party bosses and big business. This is best captured by choice E.

Question 19

Jeannette Rankin is notable as the first

Accepted Answer

Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to the House of Representatives in 1916. She served two non-consecutive terms, the first from 1917 to 1919 and the second from 1941 to 1943.

Question 20

When the republic was founded, policy initiatives were usually introduced by the

Accepted Answer

When the republic was founded, policy initiatives were usually introduced by the president. This was part of the executive branch's role in setting the agenda and leading the direction of the government's policy efforts.

Quiz 11: Congress: Doing the Peoples Business