Question 1

Oversight can best be described as the

Accepted Answer

Oversight refers to the effort of Congress to supervise and monitor the way in which its laws are implemented by the executive branch. This involves conducting hearings, investigations, and other forms of scrutiny to ensure that the executive branch is carrying out its duties in an appropriate and effective manner. Oversight is a key component of the system of checks and balances that exists between the branches of government in the United States.

Question 2

In addition to pressuring members of Congress to vote a certain way on a bill,interest groups
Also have substantial influence in

Accepted Answer

Interest groups can lobby Congress to prioritize certain issues and introduce specific bills, therefore setting the legislative agenda. However, interest groups do not have direct control over filibustering debates, deciding whether a member will run for reelection or assigning committee positions.

Question 3

Who were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S.House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton are the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives. Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached, and neither Calvin Coolidge nor Herbert Hoover faced impeachment during their presidencies. Gerald Ford was never impeached.

Question 4

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Senate's power of "advice and consent" specifically pertains to the president's power to make treaties with foreign nations. It serves as a check on the president's ability to engage in foreign relations and ensures that any treaties entered into are in the best interest of the United States. The other options listed are within the president's individual powers and do not require the involvement of the Senate.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about the impeachment process is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The impeachment process is inherently political, as it involves the elected representatives of the people in Congress determining whether a president or other government official has committed acts that constitute "high crimes and misdemeanors." The process can also be influenced by partisan considerations and political calculations.

Question 6

The Hastert Rule is

Accepted Answer

The Hastert Rule is an informal Republican Party rule that the Speaker of the House will not allow any bill to reach the floor unless it has the support of a majority of Republican members of the House. It is named after former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who enforced this rule during his tenure from 1999-2007. It has been criticized for contributing to political polarization and gridlock in Congress.

Question 7

Describe how Congress exercises its checks and balances over the executive branch.Which chamber of Congress has more authority over the executive branch? Provide examples.How might partisanship help to diminish the exercise of congressional power over the presidency? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how Congress exercises its checks and...

Question 8

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a congressional
Hearing and a congressional investigation?

Accepted Answer

A hearing is a formal session where members of Congress gather to hear testimony from witnesses on a specific topic, often related to a proposed bill. An investigation, on the other hand, is a more extensive process that involves gathering a large amount of information, interviewing witnesses, and conducting research in order to examine a broader problem or issue. Investigations often result in recommendations for new legislation, but they do not focus solely on analyzing a specific bill. Therefore, the statement that "a hearing is held to analyze a specific bill that has already been proposed while an investigation examines a broad problem and concludes with recommendations for a proposed bill" is the most accurate description of the difference between a congressional hearing and a congressional investigation.

Question 9

Many political observers have identified a strong "incumbency advantage" and a "sophomore surge" in congressional elections.Describe what these terms mean and explain the reasons behind them.In particular,discuss some of the ways members of Congress can provide patronage to their districts and the role that redistricting plays in congressional elections.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many political observers have identified a strong...

Question 10

Compared to the rest of American history,recent congresses have been ________ polarized
And ________ productive in terms of passing laws.

Accepted Answer

Recent congresses have been more polarized, meaning that there is a greater ideological divide between the two major political parties. However, they have been less productive in terms of passing laws compared to earlier periods in American history. This is due in part to the increasing polarization and gridlock between the two major parties.

Question 11

There are many different ways in which members of Congress can represent the American people.Define and discuss the differences between sociological and agency representation.Which type of representation do you think the U.S.Congress provides best,and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are many different ways in which...

Question 12

The 2014 Select Committee on Benghazi is an example of Congress's

Accepted Answer

The 2014 Select Committee on Benghazi was formed to conduct oversight investigations into the events surrounding the 2012 terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. This is an example of Congress's oversight powers to investigate and monitor various activities of the executive branch.

Question 13

Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.What are the major steps in the process? How often do bills fail,and where in the process do they typically die? What are the main differences in the legislative process between the two houses of Congress?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the process by which a bill...

Question 14

What is the organizational structure of Congress? What are some of the leadership positions in both houses,and what are their functions? What are some of the types of committees? Are there any important differences between the organizational structures of the House and Senate? If so,discuss them.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the organizational structure of Congress?...

Question 15

The role that the U.S.House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be
Compared with that of a

Accepted Answer

The role of the U.S. House of Representatives in impeachments is best compared with that of a grand jury. Like a grand jury, the House does not determine guilt or innocence, but rather decides whether there are sufficient grounds to bring charges (impeachment) against an official. Just as a grand jury decides whether there is probable cause to indict a suspect, the House decides whether there is sufficient evidence of "high crimes and misdemeanors" to impeach a federal official.

Question 16

Leadership PACs are

Accepted Answer

Leadership PACs allow members of Congress to raise funds that they can then distribute to other candidates from their party who are running for election. This allows them to gain influence and build alliances within their party. This practice has been criticized for potentially leading to corruption and the perception of buying votes.

Question 17

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House
Because the Speaker

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House possesses the power of recognition, which allows them to control who may speak on the House floor, significantly influencing legislative proceedings and debates. This power is a key reason members strive to maintain good relations with the Speaker.

Question 18

In addition to gerrymandering,a major reason why so many members of Congress are elected
From safe districts is

Accepted Answer

The natural geographic clustering of people who share a political ideology is a major reason why many members of Congress are elected from safe districts. This means that certain areas or districts may lean heavily towards one political party or ideology, making it easier for candidates from that party to win elections in those areas. This is known as partisan gerrymandering. However, even in the absence of gerrymandering, safe districts can be created due to the natural clustering of like-minded people, making it difficult for candidates from other parties to win elections in those areas.

Question 19

The role that the U.S.Senate plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Senate plays the role of a trial jury during impeachment proceedings. The House of Representatives acts as the prosecutor, presenting evidence and making accusations against the impeached individual, while the Senate acts as the judge and jury, hearing the evidence presented and deciding whether to convict or acquit the individual. Just like a trial jury, the Senate must reach a two-thirds majority vote in order to convict and remove the impeached individual from office.

Quiz 9: Congress

Oversight can best be described as the

In addition to pressuring members of Congress to vote a certain way on a bill,interest groups Also have substantial influence in

Who were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S.House of Representatives?

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

Which of the following statements about the impeachment process is most accurate?

The Hastert Rule is

Describe how Congress exercises its checks and balances over the executive branch.Which chamber of Congress has more authority over the executive branch? Provide examples.How might partisanship help to diminish the exercise of congressional power over the presidency? Explain.

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a congressional Hearing and a congressional investigation?

Compared to the rest of American history,recent congresses have been polarized And productive in terms of passing laws.

There are many different ways in which members of Congress can represent the American people.Define and discuss the differences between sociological and agency representation.Which type of representation do you think the U.S.Congress provides best,and why?

The 2014 Select Committee on Benghazi is an example of Congress's

Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.What are the major steps in the process? How often do bills fail,and where in the process do they typically die? What are the main differences in the legislative process between the two houses of Congress?

What is the organizational structure of Congress? What are some of the leadership positions in both houses,and what are their functions? What are some of the types of committees? Are there any important differences between the organizational structures of the House and Senate? If so,discuss them.

The role that the U.S.House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be Compared with that of a

Leadership PACs are

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House Because the Speaker

In addition to gerrymandering,a major reason why so many members of Congress are elected From safe districts is

The role that the U.S.Senate plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

Quiz 9: Congress

Oversight can best be described as the

In addition to pressuring members of Congress to vote a certain way on a bill,interest groups Also have substantial influence in

Who were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S.House of Representatives?

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

Which of the following statements about the impeachment process is most accurate?

The Hastert Rule is

Describe how Congress exercises its checks and balances over the executive branch.Which chamber of Congress has more authority over the executive branch? Provide examples.How might partisanship help to diminish the exercise of congressional power over the presidency? Explain.

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between a congressional Hearing and a congressional investigation?

Compared to the rest of American history,recent congresses have been ________ polarized And ________ productive in terms of passing laws.

There are many different ways in which members of Congress can represent the American people.Define and discuss the differences between sociological and agency representation.Which type of representation do you think the U.S.Congress provides best,and why?

The 2014 Select Committee on Benghazi is an example of Congress's

Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law.What are the major steps in the process? How often do bills fail,and where in the process do they typically die? What are the main differences in the legislative process between the two houses of Congress?

What is the organizational structure of Congress? What are some of the leadership positions in both houses,and what are their functions? What are some of the types of committees? Are there any important differences between the organizational structures of the House and Senate? If so,discuss them.

The role that the U.S.House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be Compared with that of a

Leadership PACs are

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House Because the Speaker

In addition to gerrymandering,a major reason why so many members of Congress are elected From safe districts is

The role that the U.S.Senate plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

Compared to the rest of American history,recent congresses have been polarized And productive in terms of passing laws.