Question 1

Before opening the floor of the House to debate on a bill, the House Rules Committee may draft a rule that bars all amendments to the bill. This is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A closed rule is a procedural maneuver that prohibits any amendments to bills up for a debate in the House of Representatives, allowing only the committee reporting the bill to make amendments.

Question 2

Why are "old fashioned" filibusters rare occurrences in today's Senate?

Accepted Answer

Leaders tend to seek unanimous consent to freeze a filibustered bill and move on with other business.

Question 3

Why do lawmakers make speeches on the Senate floor even if few of their colleagues are present?

Accepted Answer

Their statements are placed on the record, which allows the public to see the rationale behind congressional decisions.

Question 4

Riders are

Accepted Answer

Riders are legislative measures added to popular bills because they might not pass on their own. They are often unrelated to the main bill and are attached to ensure their passage.

Question 5

The president is required to send his objections to Congress with any veto because it

Accepted Answer

The requirement for the president to send his objections to Congress with any veto promotes deliberation between the branches by encouraging discussion and reconsideration of the legislation in question. This process fosters communication and negotiation between the executive and legislative branches.

Question 6

A pocket veto differs from a regular veto because it

Accepted Answer

A pocket veto occurs when the President receives a bill but is unable to return it to Congress because they have adjourned. Since the bill cannot be returned, it does not become law, and this action is not subject to override by Congress, unlike a regular veto.

Question 7

The recorded votes on major amendments and final passage of bills are called _____ votes.

Accepted Answer

The recorded votes on major amendments and final passage of bills are called roll call votes. This process involves calling out the names of legislators to record their votes individually.

Question 8

Members of the Senate and the House feel political pressure to make recorded votes because

Accepted Answer

Members of Congress are often judged by their constituents on their participation and voting record, and a high absentee rate can be used against them in reelection campaigns.

Question 9

Congress educates the public by

Accepted Answer

Congress educates the public by conducting most formal business in the open, allowing the public to access information through media coverage and public records.

Question 10

In 1790, some southern members of the House agreed to the federal government's assumption of state debts from the Revolutionary War in exchange for northern endorsement of moving the nation's capital to Washington, D.C. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

This is an example of logrolling, which is a practice where two or more members of a legislative body agree to vote for each other's proposed bills or projects. In this case, southern members agreed to the assumption of state debts in exchange for northern members' support for moving the capital to Washington, D.C.

Question 11

A provision of a spending bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose in a district or state is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

Earmarks are provisions in legislation that allocate funds to a specific project, often benefiting a small group or a local area, such as a district or state.

Question 12

Lawmakers are able to send mail to their constituents without paying postage because of the

Accepted Answer

The franking privilege allows lawmakers to send mail to their constituents without paying postage, facilitating communication between elected officials and the public they serve.

Question 13

Which agency supplies non-partisan analysis on legislative issues?

Accepted Answer

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a part of the Library of Congress and provides non-partisan analysis and research on legislative issues to members of Congress.

Question 14

Which agency evaluates federal programs, audits federal expenditures, and issues legal opinions?

Accepted Answer

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is responsible for evaluating federal programs, auditing federal expenditures, and issuing legal opinions. It serves as the supreme audit institution of the United States federal government.

Question 15

The framers of the Constitution intended Congress to be a(n)

Accepted Answer

The framers of the Constitution designed Congress to be a deliberative institution, where thorough discussion and consideration of legislation and national issues would take place. This was to ensure careful and informed lawmaking.

Question 16

In what ways do lawmakers function as delegates? In what ways do they function as trustees?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways do lawmakers function as...

Question 17

What differences exist between the House and Senate? How do these differences affect how each chamber functions? What tensions arise between them?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What differences exist between the House and...

Question 18

What powers does the Constitution assign to Congress? How does the Congress use its powers in checking the executive and judiciary branches?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What powers does the Constitution assign to...

Question 19

How are congressional committees organized? What role do they play in policy deliberation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are congressional committees organized? What role...

Question 20

How does debate on bills differ in the House of Representatives and the Senate? How do House and Senate procedures both encourage and discourage deliberation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How does debate on bills differ in...

Quiz 12: Congress