Composition Of Congress Quiz

1. How did the composition of Congress change between 1950 and 2002?

There was no change change in the number of ethnic minorities, but the number of women increased

There was no change in the number of women, but the number of African Americans increased

There are fewer Hispanics but more African Americans and Women

Although representation does not mirror the population as a whole, there are more minorities and women

Congress has generally become less white and less male.

Explanation

Congress has generally become less white and less male.

2. A congressional was created to investigate any intelligence failures that might have occured prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. What kind of comittee does this represent?

Standing

Joint

Select

Conference

Oversight

A select comittee is a group appointed for a limited purpose and lasting for only a few Congresses

Explanation

A select comittee is a group appointed for a limited purpose and lasting for only a few Congresses

3. All of the follow make it difficult for Congress to make policy EXCEPT:

Congress must worry about voters' preferences, so it engages in arguments on important issues

Congress does not choose the president, so there is no guarantee a bill will become law

Congress operates through coalitions of several political parties, each of which represents different interests

Congress is bicameral, and a bill must pass both houses

Each member of Congress faces reelection, and the interests of the members of his or her district must be considered

Each member of Congress must consider the preferences of the voters in his or her district. This can lead to arguments over policy. In addition, a bill must pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president (or have a veto overriden) to become law. Unlike many countries the United States has a two-party system that does not require party coalitions.

Explanation

Each member of Congress must consider the preferences of the voters in his or her district. This can lead to arguments over policy. In addition, a bill must pass both houses of Congress and be signed by the president (or have a veto overriden) to become law. Unlike many countries the United States has a two-party system that does not require party coalitions.

4. A filibuster in the Senate can be used to talk a bill to death. A cloture vote can end a filibuster. Taken together, what is the impact of these practices?

Neither political party can control the senate unless it has at least sixty votes

A party with fifty-one votes can get most of its legislative agenda passed

The senate rarely passes legislation on controversial issues

It takes sixty votes to end a filibuster. This means that neither party can control the Senate unless it has sixty votes. Otherwise, the minority party can use the filibuster to block legislation sponsored by the majority party

Explanation

It takes sixty votes to end a filibuster. This means that neither party can control the Senate unless it has sixty votes. Otherwise, the minority party can use the filibuster to block legislation sponsored by the majority party

5. The House Rules Comittee does all of the following EXCEPT:

Adopts procedures under which the house will consider a bill

Sets time limits on debate

Permits or forbids certain amendments on the floor

Reviews bills and places them on a calender

Establishes the number of votes needed for a bill to pass in the House

The House Rules Comittee reviews bills and outs them on the agenda. It sets time limits and can limit the kind of admendments allowed. Bills must pass the House of Representatives by majority rule.

Explanation

The House Rules Comittee reviews bills and outs them on the agenda. It sets time limits and can limit the kind of admendments allowed. Bills must pass the House of Representatives by majority rule.

6. What role does incumbency play in congressional elections?

Incumbents are more likely to be reelected in the house of Representatives than the Senate

More than 90 percent of all incumbent members of Congress are reelected

Incumbents are more likely to be reelected in the Senate than in the House of Representatives

There is no correlation between incumbency and reelection

There is an incumbency advantage for all members of Congress. However, incumbents in the House of Representatives are more likely to be reelected than incumbents in the Senate.

Explanation

There is an incumbency advantage for all members of Congress. However, incumbents in the House of Representatives are more likely to be reelected than incumbents in the Senate.

7. During the 1960s and 1970s a conservative coalition was an important factor in Congress. Why is that coalition less important today?

Because African American southern Democrats have become more moderate in their ideology

Because white southern Republicans have become less conservative

Because many southern Democrats in Congress have been replaced by Republicans

Because the regional issues that brought the coalition together, like race relations, have been resolved through the civil rights legislation

Becaus ethe southern states have changed and are less conservative than they were in the past

The conservative coalition of the 1960s and 1970s was made up of Republicans and southern Democrats. Republicans have replaced many southern Democrats in Congress.

Explanation

The conservative coalition of the 1960s and 1970s was made up of Republicans and southern Democrats. Republicans have replaced many southern Democrats in Congress.

8. Of the following members of Congress, who will most likely be chosen to head the House Appropriations Comittee when the majority is Republican?

Representative   Party   Years in Congress   Years on Comittee

Smith                     R                  18                             2
Jones                     R                   5                              5
Gonzales                D                  22                             8
Wilson                    D                  26                             4
Jefferson                 I                   12                             12

Smith

Jones

Gonzales

Wilson

Jefferson

Although this rule is not always followed, the chairman of the comittee is usually the member who has served the longest on that comittee from the majority party

Explanation

Although this rule is not always followed, the chairman of the comittee is usually the member who has served the longest on that comittee from the majority party

9. The representational view of Congress is based on the assumption that members want to get reelected and therefore vote to please their constituents. Under what circumstances is a member of Congress most likely to vote according to this view?

When a bill will bring "pork" to the congressman's district

When constituents have a clear view on some issue and the issue has attracted attantion

When constituents have a clear view on an issue and the member of Congress agrees with constantuents' views

When there is a close race for reelection and a member of Congress is eager to please constituents

When a small group of constantuents goes to great lengths to make its views known to their senator or representative

Congressman act according to the representational view when constituents have a clear view on an issue that has attracted attention

Explanation

Congressman act according to the representational view when constituents have a clear view on an issue that has attracted attention