Chapter 12 Quiz

The Senate Watergate Committee of 1973 is an example of a ________ committee.

select

Senators’ longer terms of office, and larger, more heterogeneous constituencies makes them more

likely to consider new ideas and better able to act as the agents for groups and interests organized on a statewide or national basis.

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

more; less

The jurisdiction of standing committees

is defined by the subject matter of legislation, which often parallels the major cabinet departments or agencies.

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

trial jury

Which sort of representation is based on the principle that if two individuals are similar in background, character, interests, and perspectives, then one could correctly represent the other’s views?

sociological representation

A ________ veto occurs when Congress adjourns during a 10-day period after presenting the president with a bill and he or she takes no action.

pocket

The president pro tempore of the Senate is usually

the majority party member with the greatest seniority.

The "sophomore surge" refers to the

tendency for candidates to win a higher percentage of the vote when seeking future terms in office.

Congressional staff members’ responsibilities include

All of these are correct.

What does the House Ways and Means Committee have jurisdiction over?

taxes, trade, and entitlement programs

Congressional leaders form ________ committees when they want to take up an issue that falls between the jurisdiction of existing committees, to highlight an issue, or to investigate a particular problem.

select

Which is the best description of the K Street Project?

an attempt to place former Republican staffers in key lobbying positions to help ensure a large flow of corporate donations to the Republican Party

Congress is a ________ legislature with ________ members.

bicameral; 535

Oversight can best be described as the

efforts of Congress to supervise the manner in which its laws are implemented by the executive branch.

The so-called bridge to nowhere was important because it became a symbol of

wasteful congressional spending through earmarks.

Who has the most real power in the Senate?

the majority and minority leaders

Organizational reforms instituted by Congress in the 1970s

fragmented power by reducing the power of committee chairs.

Which three factors related to the American electoral system affect who is elected to office in this country and what they do once they get there?

who decides to run for office, incumbency, and the drawing of district lines

How can Congress override a president’s veto?

A president’s veto can be overridden with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

What is the most common occupation among members of Congress before coming to Congress?

lawyer

A U.S. senator has a ________-year term.

six

In each House district, there are approximately ________ people.

700,000

During the past several decades, the ________ and the ________ have benefited most from apportionment.

South; West

Which of the following statements best describes the representation of women and minorities in the U.S. Congress?

Representation of women and minorities has increased during the past two decades, but is not comparable to their proportions in the general population.

The four joint committees in Congress are

economic, taxation, library, and printing.

The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction was unique among joint committees because it

had the power to write and report legislation.

A bill’s supporters in the House of Representatives generally prefer ________, while opponents generally prefer ________.

a closed rule; an open rule

Organizational reforms instituted by Congress in the 1970s

fragmented power by reducing the power of committee chairs.

In the House of Representatives, virtually all the time allotted by the Rules Committee for debate on a given bill is controlled by the

bill’s sponsor and its leading opponent.

________ bills are one of Congress’s favorite vehicles for pork-barrel spending.

Highway

Under the original Constitution, senators

were appointed by state legislatures.

After the 2014 election, the Republican Party controlled

both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Approximately ________ percent of members of Congress have university degrees.

90