Question 1

Identify a true statement about the Senate.

Accepted Answer

The Senate has the power of "advice and consent" on presidential appointments and treaties, making sure that whoever the president nominates for a position is somebody that the Senate believes is qualified and competent for the job.

Question 2

Congress exercises jurisdiction over the impeachment of _____.

Accepted Answer

Congress has the power to impeach federal officials, including the vice president, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

Question 3

One of the most important functions of _____ is its oversight of the executive branch and its many federal departments and agencies.

Accepted Answer

Congress is responsible for overseeing and holding accountable the executive branch, as well as confirming presidential appointments to department and agency leadership positions. The other options listed do not have this specific function within the government.

Question 4

Which of the following statements is true of the advice and consent powers of the Senate?​

Accepted Answer

Senate confirmation serves as an important check on the president's power, ensuring that appointments are subject to legislative oversight and approval.

Question 5

When a committee chairperson sets a bill aside to ignore it rather than to send it to a subcommittee,the bill has been _____.

Accepted Answer

When a committee chairperson sets a bill aside to ignore it rather than to send it to a subcommittee, the practice is known as pigeonholing. This effectively kills the bill, as it can't progress to the next stage of the legislative process.

Question 6

The constitutional option is also known as the _____.

Accepted Answer

The constitutional option is commonly known as the nuclear option, which refers to the Senate's ability to change its rules with a simple majority vote rather than the usual requirement of a two-thirds majority. This can be used to eliminate the filibuster for certain types of votes, such as Supreme Court nominations or executive branch appointments, and has controversially been used in recent years by both Democrats and Republicans.

Question 7

When Congress is unable to pass a complete budget by the beginning of the fiscal year,it usually passes _____,which enable the executive agencies to keep on doing whatever they were doing the previous year with the same amount of funding.

Accepted Answer

Continuing resolutions are passed when Congress is unable to pass a complete budget by the beginning of the fiscal year. These resolutions allow for the funding of federal agencies to continue at the same level as the previous year until a complete budget can be passed.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true of the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives is responsible for originating bills for raising revenue, whereas the Senate typically deals with appropriations bills. This is outlined in Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution. Therefore, option B is correct. Options A, C, D, and E are incorrect.

Question 9

Under which of the following programs are Social Security benefits provided to people?

Accepted Answer

Social Security benefits are provided under entitlement programs, which guarantee benefits to certain groups of individuals based on specific criteria, such as age, disability, or survivorship, regardless of their income or means. Apportionment programs refer to the distribution of government funds to states or agencies based on specific formulas or criteria. Beneficial grant programs provide funding to individuals or organizations to carry out specific projects or activities that benefit the community. Filibustering is a tactic used by politicians to delay or obstruct legislative action. Debt ceiling programs refer to the limit on the amount of debt the government can incur.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of an entitlement program?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 11

In any year in which the federal government spends more than it takes in,_____.

Accepted Answer

When the federal government spends more than it takes in, it results in a budget deficit. The government then borrows money to cover the deficit through the issuance of Treasury bonds. This borrowed money adds to the national debt, which is the accumulation of all deficits over time. Therefore, choice A is the correct answer. Congress may choose to raise taxes or issue government bonds, but these actions are not automatic in response to a deficit. The debt ceiling is a limit on the amount of money the government can borrow, and it is set by Congress, but it is not automatically modified in response to a deficit.

Question 12

Which of the following is an oversight body for the U.S.Congress?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an oversight...

Question 13

Today,under Senate Rule 22,_____ senators must sign a petition requesting cloture.

Accepted Answer

Under Senate Rule 22, sixteen senators must sign a petition requesting cloture to end a filibuster or debate on a bill or nomination.

Question 14

_____ is the second part of the budgeting process in which Congress determines how many dollars will actually be spent in a given year on a particular government activity.

Accepted Answer

Appropriation is the second part of the budgeting process in which Congress determines how many dollars will actually be spent in a given year on a particular government activity. Entitlement refers to government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements, while authorization is the first step in the budgeting process that establishes the legal authority for government programs to exist and operate. Adjudication pertains to the legal process of resolving disputes or determining the outcome of a legal case, and apportionment refers to the process of dividing or allocating resources among different groups or entities.

Question 15

Identify a difference between the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives is often characterized by local or narrow leadership due to its members representing smaller districts, while the Senate is characterized by national leadership as its members represent entire states.

Question 16

Which of the following is true of the senatorial holds?

Accepted Answer

Senatorial holds are often anonymous, meaning that the senator does not have to publicly announce that they have placed a hold on a bill or nomination.

Question 17

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Defense convenes to expand a clause in its proposed bill on military assistance for counter-terrorism operations in the United States.The Senate Appropriations Committee on Defense in this case is _____.

Accepted Answer

Holding a markup session is the process of revising, debating, and amending proposed legislation in committee. In this case, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Defense is expanding a clause in its proposed bill, which would require a markup session. Option A, making a floor vote, would come after a markup session. Option B, holding an authorization debate, is not specific enough and could be part of a markup session. Option D, filibustering, is a delay tactic used to block or delay a vote, not to expand a clause. Option E, invoking a cloture, is a motion to end debate and proceed to a vote, not relevant to the context given.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true of impeachment?

Accepted Answer

Impeachment begins with a vote in the House of Representatives and if the vote passes, the accused official is then tried in the Senate. Option B is incorrect because only the House of Representatives can bring impeachment charges. Option C is incorrect because holding a debate to prevent action on a bill is known as a filibuster, not impeachment. Option D is partially correct, only civil officers can be impeached but they can also be removed from office. Option E is incorrect because an accused official is only removed from office if they are convicted by a two-thirds majority vote of the Senate.

Question 19

The Senate brings a bill to the floor by:

Accepted Answer

The most common way for the Senate to bring a bill to the floor is by unanimous consent, which means that every senator agrees to allow the bill to be debated and voted on. This method is preferable because it is quick, easy, and avoids partisan gridlock that can occur with other methods.

Question 20

The _____ normally proposes time limits on debate for any bill.

Accepted Answer

The House Rules Committee is responsible for proposing time limits on debate for any bill in the House of Representatives. They also determine the rules and procedures for how each bill will be considered on the floor.

Quiz 11: The Congress