United States Congressional Conference Committee Quiz!

2.

What is it called when senators delay or prevent Senate action through long speeches?

Terminal debate
Filibuster
Cloture
Veto

Correct Answer

A. Filibuster

Explanation

A filibuster refers to the tactic used by senators to delay or prevent Senate action through long speeches. By speaking for an extended period of time, senators can effectively stall the legislative process and obstruct the passage of a bill or nomination. This strategy is often employed to gain leverage or draw attention to a particular issue or to prevent the majority party from advancing their agenda. Filibusters can only be ended through a process called cloture, which requires a supermajority vote to limit further debate and proceed to a final vote.

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3.

Cloture is the process of limiting

The length of a session
Amendments
Debate
Riders

Correct Answer

A. Debate

Explanation

Cloture is a parliamentary procedure used to end debate on a bill or a motion and bring it to a vote. It is the process of limiting the amount of time that can be spent discussing a particular issue. Once cloture is invoked, a specific time limit is set for further debate, ensuring that the discussion does not continue indefinitely. This allows for a more efficient decision-making process in legislative bodies.

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4.

No senator may speak more than __________ on any given question in a day.

Once
Twice
Three times
Four times

Correct Answer

A. Twice

Explanation

The correct answer is "twice" because it states that no senator is allowed to speak more than twice on any given question in a day. This implies that there is a limit on the number of times a senator can speak, and that limit is specifically set at two times.

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5.

Which of the following is NOT forbidden to a Senator speaking during a filibuster?

Sitting
Walking about
Unparliamentary language
Standing

Correct Answer

A. Standing

Explanation

During a filibuster, a Senator is allowed to sit, walk around, and use unparliamentary language. However, standing is not forbidden to a Senator speaking during a filibuster. This means that a Senator can choose to stand while delivering their speech or engaging in the filibuster.

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6.

When is a pocket veto possible?

When the President chooses to take out line items of a bill, but signs the remaining bill
When senators delay a vote on a bill indefinitely
Any time the President lets ten days pass without signing a bill
Within ten days of the end of a session of Congress

Correct Answer

A. Within ten days of the end of a session of Congress

Explanation

A pocket veto is possible within ten days of the end of a session of Congress. This occurs when the President does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns within the ten-day period. Since Congress is no longer in session, the bill cannot be reconsidered or overridden, effectively resulting in a veto.

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7.

Why is the Cloture Rule used so infrequently?

Senators do not want to undercut the value of the filibuster, since they may need to use it later.
It means adding amendments to a bill that may not be passed.
It sends a bill back to the House, which means it may die there.
It is nearly impossible to put into effect.

Correct Answer

A. Senators do not want to undercut the value of the filibuster, since they may need to use it later.

Explanation

The Cloture Rule is used infrequently because senators do not want to undermine the significance of the filibuster. The filibuster allows senators to prolong debate and prevent a vote on a bill, giving them leverage and the ability to negotiate. By using the Cloture Rule too often, senators risk devaluing the filibuster as a tool, which they may need to use in the future to advance their own agenda or block legislation they oppose. Therefore, they prefer to reserve the use of the Cloture Rule for critical situations.

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8.

In which of the following ways is the process for passing a bill different in the Senate than it is in the House?

A quorum is not necessary to pass a bill in the Senate.
Bills are given only one reading in the Senate.
Senate committees cannot pigeonhole a bill.
Senators may speak on the floor for as long as they wish.

Correct Answer

A. Senators may speak on the floor for as long as they wish.

Explanation

In the Senate, senators have the freedom to speak on the floor for as long as they wish, which is not the case in the House. This allows senators to have extended discussions and debates on the bill, giving them more time to express their opinions and arguments. This difference in the rules and procedures between the Senate and the House highlights the unique characteristics and dynamics of each chamber in the legislative process.

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9.

Conference committees are usually made up of:

The Committee chairpersons for each house of Congress.
The leading members of the standing committee that brought the measure to each house
The senior members of each Congressional body.
Floor leaders and whips from each house.

Correct Answer

A. The leading members of the standing committee that brought the measure to each house

Explanation

Conference committees are usually made up of the leading members of the standing committee that brought the measure to each house. This is because conference committees are formed when the House of Representatives and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill. The purpose of the conference committee is to reconcile the differences between the two versions and come up with a compromise bill that can be approved by both houses. Therefore, it makes sense for the leading members of the standing committee that originally worked on the bill to be part of the conference committee, as they have the most knowledge and expertise on the subject matter.

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10.

President Wilson was furious over a filibuster during discussion of legislation to do what?

To give monetary aid to England
To increase the appropriations for weapons manufacture
To permit the arming of merchant vessels
To declare war on Germany

Correct Answer

A. To permit the arming of merchant vessels

Explanation

President Wilson was furious over a filibuster during discussion of legislation to permit the arming of merchant vessels. This suggests that President Wilson strongly believed in the need for arming merchant vessels, possibly in response to the increasing threat of German submarines during World War I. The filibuster, which is a tactic used to delay or block legislation, would have hindered the progress of this important legislation, leading to President Wilson's anger.

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United States Congressional Conference Committee Quiz!

When the President refuses to sign a bill, he is using his __________ power.

Quiz Preview

What is it called when senators delay or prevent Senate action through long speeches?

Cloture is the process of limiting

No senator may speak more than __________ on any given question in a day.

Which of the following is NOT forbidden to a Senator speaking during a filibuster?

When is a pocket veto possible?

Why is the Cloture Rule used so infrequently?

In which of the following ways is the process for passing a bill different in the Senate than it is in the House?

Conference committees are usually made up of:

President Wilson was furious over a filibuster during discussion of legislation to do what?