Trivia Questions On US Government And Politics! Quiz
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- 1.
Conference committees
- A.
Register bills to be introduced on the floor and schedule debate
- B.
Handle proposed legislation that deals with more than one area of policy
- C.
Work out compromises between House and Senate versions of bills
- D.
Combine members of both the House and Senate to consider overlapping policy areas
- E.
Educate the public about the activities of Congress
Correct Answer
C. Work out compromises between House and Senate versions of billsExplanation
Conference committees are responsible for working out compromises between the House and Senate versions of bills. When both the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill, a conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences and create a single, unified version that can be passed by both chambers. This process involves negotiations and compromises to address the concerns and priorities of both the House and Senate, ensuring that the final bill is acceptable to both sides. Conference committees play a crucial role in the legislative process by facilitating cooperation and consensus-building between the two chambers of Congress.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Incumbents have all of the following advantages over their challengers EXCEPT
- A.
Incumbents spend more money than do challengers
- B.
Incumbents can brag about federal spending projects in their districts
- C.
Incumbents can increase visibility among their constituents by using the franking privilege
- D.
Incumbents provide casework for their constituents
- E.
Challengers have a clean political record, and incumbents do not
Correct Answer
E. Challengers have a clean political record, and incumbents do notExplanation
Incumbents have several advantages over their challengers, such as having more financial resources, being able to promote federal spending projects in their districts, increasing visibility through the franking privilege, and providing casework for their constituents. However, the statement that challengers have a clean political record while incumbents do not is not mentioned in the question and is not an advantage or disadvantage for either group.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following statements about Congressional oversight is FALSE?
- A.
In extreme cases, Congress can cut agency budgets in order to secure compliance with Congressional wishes.
- B.
Congress keeps tabs on more routine activities of the executive branch through its committee staff members.
- C.
There are few political payoffs for carefully watching a government agency if it is implementing policy properly.
- D.
Since the 1970s, Congress has substantially decreased its oversight activities.
- E.
It serves as a Congressional check on the executive branch.
Correct Answer
D. Since the 1970s, Congress has substantially decreased its oversight activities.Explanation
Congressional oversight is an important function of the legislative branch to ensure accountability and check the power of the executive branch. The other statements all correctly describe aspects of Congressional oversight. However, the statement "Since the 1970s, Congress has substantially decreased its oversight activities" is false. In fact, there has been a trend of increased oversight activities by Congress since the 1970s, particularly in response to scandals and public demand for transparency and accountability.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Which of the following statements accurately describe legislative committees? I. Committees are in session only when preparing bills to be introduced onto the floor II. Junior members of Congress have few opportunities to sit on committees III. The Speaker of the House has a great deal of influence in appointing committee chairs IV. Conference committees are composed of senators whose task is to amend bills that are in danger of being killed in Congress
- A.
III only
- B.
I and III only
- C.
II and III only
- D.
I, II, and IV only
- E.
I, III, and V only
Correct Answer
C. II and III only -
- 5.
A senator can often prevent the Senate from voting on the bill being debated on the Senate floor by
- A.
Conducting oversight
- B.
Filibustering
- C.
Introducing another bill
- D.
Holding hearings
- E.
Logrolling
Correct Answer
B. FilibusteringExplanation
Filibustering is the correct answer because it refers to the act of a senator speaking for an extended period of time in order to delay or prevent a vote on a bill. By continuously speaking, the senator can prevent the Senate from moving forward with the debate and voting on the bill being discussed on the Senate floor. This tactic is often used to obstruct or delay the passage of a bill, giving the senator and their supporters more time to negotiate or gather support.Rate this question:
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- 6.
On a bill with high visibility, members of Congress are most likely to vote
- A.
Along party lines
- B.
According to their personal ideology
- C.
In a presidential coalition
- D.
In keeping with the needs of their constituency
- E.
According to the pressures of lobbyists
Correct Answer
D. In keeping with the needs of their constituencyExplanation
Members of Congress are most likely to vote in keeping with the needs of their constituency because they are elected to represent their constituents and address their concerns and interests. Their primary responsibility is to serve the people who elected them, so they are more likely to consider the opinions and preferences of their constituents when making decisions and casting votes. This ensures that they are accountable to the people they represent and are working in their best interests.Rate this question:
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- 7.
After a House committee reviews a bill and writes its report, the bill typically goes to the
- A.
Senate
- B.
House appropriate subcommittee
- C.
President
- D.
House floor for debate
- E.
House Rules Committee
Correct Answer
E. House Rules CommitteeExplanation
After a House committee reviews a bill and writes its report, the bill typically goes to the House Rules Committee. This committee is responsible for determining the rules and procedures for the debate and consideration of bills on the House floor. They decide how much time will be allocated for debate, what amendments can be offered, and other important details. Therefore, the House Rules Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the legislative process and determining the fate of bills in the House of Representatives.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Which of the following is a difference between the House and Senate?
- A.
Power is more decentralized in the Senate
- B.
The filibuster is more common in the House than in the Senate
- C.
The Senate allows twice as much time for debate on a bill than does the House
- D.
Members of the House have large constituencies
- E.
The legislative process starts in the House, the Senate can only debate bills once the House has passed them
Correct Answer
A. Power is more decentralized in the SenateExplanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that power is more decentralized in the Senate. This means that the Senate has a more equal distribution of power among its members compared to the House. In the Senate, each state is represented equally with two senators, regardless of the state's population. This allows for a more balanced distribution of power among the states. In contrast, the House is based on population, with larger states having more representatives and therefore more influence. This centralization of power in the House makes the Senate a more decentralized legislative body.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following statements about Congressional parties is accurate?
- A.
The majority party controls all of the seats on a majority of the committees
- B.
Both political parties became more extreme and more homogenous
- C.
Both political parties moderated, taking policy positions closer to the median voter
- D.
The House operates on a nonpartisan basis while the Senate is heavily partisan
- E.
Political parties are much weaker and disjointed than they were 30 years ago
Correct Answer
B. Both political parties became more extreme and more homogenous -
- 10.
The role of party identification in voters' choices in congressional campaigns is
- A.
Extremely important, and increasingly so
- B.
Moderately important, even though party identification is not as strong as it used to be
- C.
Slightly important in a few districts, not important in most others
- D.
Not important at all, and never really has been
- E.
Much less significant than in presidential campaigns
Correct Answer
B. Moderately important, even though party identification is not as strong as it used to beExplanation
Party identification plays an important role in voters' choices in congressional campaigns, although it is not as strong as it once was. This suggests that while party affiliation may not be the sole determining factor, it still holds some significance in influencing voters' decisions. The phrase "even though party identification is not as strong as it used to be" indicates that although party loyalty may have weakened, it still has a moderate impact on voters' choices in congressional campaigns.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 18, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Jul 24, 2010Quiz Created by
Kyancy
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