1) Describe the executive branch under the Articles of Confederation.
A) a strong plural executive
B) a weak plural executive
C) a strong single executive
D) a strong bicameral executive
E) There was no executive branch under the Articles of Confederation.
2) What is the major function of the vice president?
A) to preside over the presidentʹs cabinet
B) to make executive branch appointments
C) to succeed the president if she dies or becomes disabled
D) to serve as commander in chief of the military
E) to govern all U.S. territories and protectorates
3) Which of the following is a constitutional requirement to become president?
A) to be at least 35 years old and a natural born citizen
B) to be a male citizen for at least 14 years
C) to be ʺexperienced in government and well versed in the lawʺ
D) to win a majority of the popular vote
E) to be married
4) Presidents are elected for
A) two-year terms.
B) four-year terms.
C) six-year terms.
D) eight-year terms.
E) life and serve during times of good behavior.
5) What was the decision in U.S. v. Nixon?
A) Presidents have extensive executive privilege.
B) President Nixon must comply with court orders relating to Watergate.
C) The president can accept gifts from lobbyists and foreign dignitaries, but he must pay
taxes according to the value of the gift.
D) Nixon was a crook and, therefore, had failed to uphold his presidential oath of office.
E) ʺWhen the president does it, that means itʹs not illegal.ʺ
6) What was Watergate?
A) A series of illegal searches of the foreign embassies of communist countries.
B) The break-in of the Democratic Partyʹs national headquarters and the proceeding
coverup.
C) Warrantless wiretaps of the international phone calls of American citizens.
D) A scandal involving Nixonʹs use of the White House for illegal campaign purposes that
ultimately led to his resignation.
E) Secret negotiations with the Soviet Union in which Nixon agreed not to challenge the
Berlin Wall if the Soviets released several Americans spies who were being held hostage.
7) If the president dies in office and the vice presidency is vacant, the next in the line of
succession is the
A) President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
B) Secretary of Defense.
C) Speaker of the House.
D) Secretary of State.
E) Secretary of the Army.
8) The Twenty-Fifth Amendment
A) limits the president to two consecutive terms.
B) authorizes the creation of an Air Force.
C) clarifies impeachment procedures.
D) provide a means for filling vacancies in the vice presidency.
E) established the office of First Lady of the United States.
9) Which president appointed the highest proportion of women to senior administrative
positions requiring Senate confirmation?
A) Jimmy Carter
B) Ronald Reagan
C) George Bush
D) Bill Clinton
E) George W. Bush
10) Which best describes the confirmation of the presidentʹs Cabinet nominees?
A) About half of his nominees are confirmed.
B) About three-quarters of his nominees are confirmed.
C) Nearly all of his nominees are confirmed.
D) Confirmations typically occur only if the Senate is controlled by the presidentʹs party.
E) The presidentʹs first choices are seldom confirmed, but his second choices are usually
confirmed.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
2003 FRQ Congressional Committee System
A1. Party representation on committees is an important element of the congressional committee system. It is defined as party control over committees when a new party majority (Democratic or Republican) is elected to the Congress.
A2. Party representation on committees influences the legislative process by taking over the legislative agenda. What was formerly important to the party out-of-power is now moot. The new party-in-power now controls what is important to them, thus making their bills most likely to be considered on the floor.
A3. Reciprocity/logrolling is an important element of the congressional committee system. It is defined as providing votes for a current bill with the expectation of votes on their favored bills in the future.
A4. Reciprocity/logrolling influences the legislative process by speeding up the voting process. It takes far less time to create a quid pro quo voting bargain than debating a bill based on its merits or faults.
B1. One way party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through party discipline, or having one political party voting in favor or against a bill in a unified bloc.
B2. Party discipline can influence the legislative process by preventing certain legislation from reaching the president’s desk. For example the recent Republican’s “no tax pledge” has effectively caused major revisions in bills, stalled legislation, as well created an air of “no compromise” on the matter of the national debt.
B3. Another way party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through their skillful use of the media.
B4. The legislative branch can use the media to their advantage and influence the legislative process by having the media focus special attention on an issue of national concern. With current budget negotiations and the issue of raising the debt ceiling, both parties used the media to amplify attention on their respective positions. With the threat of a government shutdown, the media compared the 2011 budget fight with that of 1996 when the budget actually did shut down. The public got more involved and as a result, this placed pressure on Congress to resolve their differences. Ultimately, a government compromise was reached, averting a shutdown.
A2. Party representation on committees influences the legislative process by taking over the legislative agenda. What was formerly important to the party out-of-power is now moot. The new party-in-power now controls what is important to them, thus making their bills most likely to be considered on the floor.
A3. Reciprocity/logrolling is an important element of the congressional committee system. It is defined as providing votes for a current bill with the expectation of votes on their favored bills in the future.
A4. Reciprocity/logrolling influences the legislative process by speeding up the voting process. It takes far less time to create a quid pro quo voting bargain than debating a bill based on its merits or faults.
B1. One way party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through party discipline, or having one political party voting in favor or against a bill in a unified bloc.
B2. Party discipline can influence the legislative process by preventing certain legislation from reaching the president’s desk. For example the recent Republican’s “no tax pledge” has effectively caused major revisions in bills, stalled legislation, as well created an air of “no compromise” on the matter of the national debt.
B3. Another way party leadership in Congress can influence the legislative process is through their skillful use of the media.
B4. The legislative branch can use the media to their advantage and influence the legislative process by having the media focus special attention on an issue of national concern. With current budget negotiations and the issue of raising the debt ceiling, both parties used the media to amplify attention on their respective positions. With the threat of a government shutdown, the media compared the 2011 budget fight with that of 1996 when the budget actually did shut down. The public got more involved and as a result, this placed pressure on Congress to resolve their differences. Ultimately, a government compromise was reached, averting a shutdown.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
War Powers Article
Hi Class. Hope you are having a nice weekend. I have added some questions to the reading that is due on Monday. Your written completion of additional questions (6-10) will be due on Tuesday, but may be incorporated orally on Monday when I quiz you out loud. You might as well complete them for Monday as I may call on you to answer 6-10. Also note, that page numbers correspond to where you will find the answers to the reading. Go Niners!
Study Questions for “War Powers, International Alliances, the President, and Congress
1. Describe the constitutional ambiguity regarding war. (p. 14).
2. Explain how the size of the American military in the 19th and early 20th centuries limited presidential war making power. (p. 16)
3. Explain how the decision in INS v. Chadha could conceivably affect the War Powers Resolution. (p. 16)
4. Explain how the scale of military conflicts affects the degree to which presidents have obtained permission from Congress when committing troops to overseas conflicts. (p. 17)
5. How does American Exceptionalism factor in America’s relations with its international partners? (p. 20)
6. Describe the role of Congress in the decision to go to use military force against Iraq in both 1991 and 2002. (p. 17)
7. Explain how the existence of international organizations such as the UN has affected the use of unilateralism by the US. (p. 18)
8. Describe how Bush 41 used a multilateral strategy in dealing with Iraq in 1990-91, and how Bush 43 used more of a unilateral strategy in dealing with Iraq in 2002. (p. 19)
9. What are two major provisions of the War Powers Act? (p. 16.)
10. After reading the article, where do you think war powers should reside?
Should the power of war reside more with the president or with congress?
Should the current system (as defined in the Constitution) change or stay the
same and why?
Study Questions for “War Powers, International Alliances, the President, and Congress
1. Describe the constitutional ambiguity regarding war. (p. 14).
2. Explain how the size of the American military in the 19th and early 20th centuries limited presidential war making power. (p. 16)
3. Explain how the decision in INS v. Chadha could conceivably affect the War Powers Resolution. (p. 16)
4. Explain how the scale of military conflicts affects the degree to which presidents have obtained permission from Congress when committing troops to overseas conflicts. (p. 17)
5. How does American Exceptionalism factor in America’s relations with its international partners? (p. 20)
6. Describe the role of Congress in the decision to go to use military force against Iraq in both 1991 and 2002. (p. 17)
7. Explain how the existence of international organizations such as the UN has affected the use of unilateralism by the US. (p. 18)
8. Describe how Bush 41 used a multilateral strategy in dealing with Iraq in 1990-91, and how Bush 43 used more of a unilateral strategy in dealing with Iraq in 2002. (p. 19)
9. What are two major provisions of the War Powers Act? (p. 16.)
10. After reading the article, where do you think war powers should reside?
Should the power of war reside more with the president or with congress?
Should the current system (as defined in the Constitution) change or stay the
same and why?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Chapter 7.5 Pages 266 to 273
1) What is a hold?
A) a failed filibuster
B) a type of constituency service
C) an illegal perk from a lobbyist
D) a way for a member of the House to delay legislation by refusing to support a
unanimous consent agreement
E) a Senate tactic that signals the leadership to consult the senator before further action is
taken on a bill
2) How can a filibuster be stopped?
A) with a three-fifths vote of all House members
B) with a discharge petition
C) with a cloture motion
D) through senatorial courtesy
E) A filibuster can not be stopped. That is why they are so powerful.
3) What did the Gang of Fourteen prevent?
A) Social Security reform
B) changes to the filibuster rules
C) the China Trade Act of 2000
D) ghost voting
E) extending George W. Bushʹs tax cuts
4) Which of the following best describes George W. Bushʹs beliefs about Congress?
A) Congress should take the lead in domestic policymaking.
B) Congress should take the lead in foreign policy issues.
C) A strong Congress is the best way to keep America safe from terrorists.
D) Congress has limited oversight over the executive branch, especially in times of war.
E) Congress should lead and the president should follow.
5) The War Powers Act
A) was an unsuccessful attempt to reassert Congressional authority over the executive
branch.
B) was declared unconstitutional in Bowers v. Hardwick.
C) hinders the ability of Congress to declare war.
D) was nullified by Richard Nixonʹs signing statement.
E) has been precisely followed by all sitting presidents since the law was enacted.
A) a failed filibuster
B) a type of constituency service
C) an illegal perk from a lobbyist
D) a way for a member of the House to delay legislation by refusing to support a
unanimous consent agreement
E) a Senate tactic that signals the leadership to consult the senator before further action is
taken on a bill
2) How can a filibuster be stopped?
A) with a three-fifths vote of all House members
B) with a discharge petition
C) with a cloture motion
D) through senatorial courtesy
E) A filibuster can not be stopped. That is why they are so powerful.
3) What did the Gang of Fourteen prevent?
A) Social Security reform
B) changes to the filibuster rules
C) the China Trade Act of 2000
D) ghost voting
E) extending George W. Bushʹs tax cuts
4) Which of the following best describes George W. Bushʹs beliefs about Congress?
A) Congress should take the lead in domestic policymaking.
B) Congress should take the lead in foreign policy issues.
C) A strong Congress is the best way to keep America safe from terrorists.
D) Congress has limited oversight over the executive branch, especially in times of war.
E) Congress should lead and the president should follow.
5) The War Powers Act
A) was an unsuccessful attempt to reassert Congressional authority over the executive
branch.
B) was declared unconstitutional in Bowers v. Hardwick.
C) hinders the ability of Congress to declare war.
D) was nullified by Richard Nixonʹs signing statement.
E) has been precisely followed by all sitting presidents since the law was enacted.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Chapter 7.4 Pages 255 to 266
1) What are members of Congress most likely to do when they leave Congress?
A) run for local office
B) run for state office
C) work in the executive branch
D) work in the judicial branch
E) become lobbyists
2) When Congress is in session, a memberʹs day can best be describes as
A) chaotic. B) leisurely. C) short. D) boring. E) simple.
3) All of the following are advantages of incumbency EXCEPT
A) name recognition.
B) access to the media.
C) easier fund raising.
D) the frank.
E) publicly funded campaigns.
4) When is a member of Congress least likely to be reelected?
A) when the economy is doing poorly
B) when the economy is doing well
C) when he or she is from the presidentʹs party
D) when he or she is involved in a scandal
E) when there is a budget deficit
5) From 1980 to 1990, about ________ percent of incumbents who sought reelection were successful.
A) 25 B) 55 C) 70 D) 80 E) 95
6) Which demographic group is the least well represented in Congress?
A) men
B) millionaires
C) those with advanced degrees
D) Hispanics
E) veterans
7) Elected representatives who listen to their constituentsʹ opinions and then use their best
judgment to make decisions are
A) incommunicados.
B) politicos.
C) simpaticos.
D) delegates.
E) trustees.
8) A senator may agree to vote for a bill that will bring money to a colleagueʹs district. In
exchange, the colleague will agree to vote for a future bill that the initial senator supports.
This is called
A) using the frank.
B) discharging the petition.
C) fishmongering.
D) logrolling.
E) casework.
9) Most bills introduced in Congress
A) are passed quickly.
B) are passed eventually.
C) are passed but not enacted because they are unconstitutional.
D) are vetoed by the president.
E) die.
10) What happens to a House bill after it is reported by the full committee?
A) It is introduced in the corresponding committee in the Senate.
B) It is debated on the House floor.
C) It is sent to a conference committee.
D) It is sent to the Rules Committee.
E) It is sent to the Committee on Committees.
A) run for local office
B) run for state office
C) work in the executive branch
D) work in the judicial branch
E) become lobbyists
2) When Congress is in session, a memberʹs day can best be describes as
A) chaotic. B) leisurely. C) short. D) boring. E) simple.
3) All of the following are advantages of incumbency EXCEPT
A) name recognition.
B) access to the media.
C) easier fund raising.
D) the frank.
E) publicly funded campaigns.
4) When is a member of Congress least likely to be reelected?
A) when the economy is doing poorly
B) when the economy is doing well
C) when he or she is from the presidentʹs party
D) when he or she is involved in a scandal
E) when there is a budget deficit
5) From 1980 to 1990, about ________ percent of incumbents who sought reelection were successful.
A) 25 B) 55 C) 70 D) 80 E) 95
6) Which demographic group is the least well represented in Congress?
A) men
B) millionaires
C) those with advanced degrees
D) Hispanics
E) veterans
7) Elected representatives who listen to their constituentsʹ opinions and then use their best
judgment to make decisions are
A) incommunicados.
B) politicos.
C) simpaticos.
D) delegates.
E) trustees.
8) A senator may agree to vote for a bill that will bring money to a colleagueʹs district. In
exchange, the colleague will agree to vote for a future bill that the initial senator supports.
This is called
A) using the frank.
B) discharging the petition.
C) fishmongering.
D) logrolling.
E) casework.
9) Most bills introduced in Congress
A) are passed quickly.
B) are passed eventually.
C) are passed but not enacted because they are unconstitutional.
D) are vetoed by the president.
E) die.
10) What happens to a House bill after it is reported by the full committee?
A) It is introduced in the corresponding committee in the Senate.
B) It is debated on the House floor.
C) It is sent to a conference committee.
D) It is sent to the Rules Committee.
E) It is sent to the Committee on Committees.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Chapter 7.3 Pages 250 to 254
1) The constitutional officer who presides over the Senate is the
A) Speaker of the Senate.
B) House majority leader.
C) majority caucus.
D) president of the United States.
E) vice president of the United States.
2) How is a tie broken in the Senate?
A) A tie is broken by drawing lots.
B) The president pro tempore breaks the tie.
C) The president of the United States breaks the tie.
D) The vice president of the United States breaks the tie.
E) There is no way to break a tie. If there is a tie vote, the measure does not pass.
3) Who is the true leader of the Senate by virtue of having the most power and influence in the
chamber?
A) the Vice President of the United States
B) the President of the Senate
C) the president pro tempore
D) the presiding officer of the Senate
E) the Senate majority leader
4) Woodrow Wilson wrote that ʺCongress in session is Congress on exhibition, whilst Congress
in its ________ is Congress at work.ʺ
A) cloakrooms
B) pubs and smoking lounges
C) districts
D) reelection offices
E) committee rooms
5) Committees allow for
A) socialization.
B) emancipation.
C) specialization.
D) fraternization.
E) temptation.
6) What is the role of conference committees?
A) to set the congressional agenda
B) to ensure ethical behavior by members of Congress
C) to hear testimony from citizens and interest groups
D) to reach compromises on bills after both chambers have passed similar bills
E) to reach compromises on a bill after they have been referred from standing committees
and before they are referred to select committees
7) Which committees are most numerous?
A) standing committees
B) subcommittees
C) joint committees
D) select committees
E) special committees
8) Why do members of Congress pass pork and earmarks?
A) because each project benefits the country as a whole
B) because agricultural subsidies are necessary to ensure that the United States has enough
domestic food sources in case an armed conflict cuts off supplies of imported food
C) because Congress prefers to pass bills that are in the long-term best interests of the
country
D) because they help members of Congress get reelected
E) because it is important for the United States to be a good global citizen
9) What is the composition of committees in the House of Representatives?
A) The majority party has all of the seats on a majority of committees; the minority party has
all of the seats on a minority of committees.
B) The majority party has a majority of seats on all committees; the minority party has a
minority of seats on all committees.
C) The majority party has a majority of seats on a majority of committees; the minority party
has a majority of seats on a minority of committees.
D) Each committee has an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.
E) Partisanship does not affect committee composition.
10) How are committee chairs selected in the House?
A) by lot
B) by seniority
C) by party loyalty
D) by margin of electoral victory
E) according to the size of Representativesʹ constituencies
A) Speaker of the Senate.
B) House majority leader.
C) majority caucus.
D) president of the United States.
E) vice president of the United States.
2) How is a tie broken in the Senate?
A) A tie is broken by drawing lots.
B) The president pro tempore breaks the tie.
C) The president of the United States breaks the tie.
D) The vice president of the United States breaks the tie.
E) There is no way to break a tie. If there is a tie vote, the measure does not pass.
3) Who is the true leader of the Senate by virtue of having the most power and influence in the
chamber?
A) the Vice President of the United States
B) the President of the Senate
C) the president pro tempore
D) the presiding officer of the Senate
E) the Senate majority leader
4) Woodrow Wilson wrote that ʺCongress in session is Congress on exhibition, whilst Congress
in its ________ is Congress at work.ʺ
A) cloakrooms
B) pubs and smoking lounges
C) districts
D) reelection offices
E) committee rooms
5) Committees allow for
A) socialization.
B) emancipation.
C) specialization.
D) fraternization.
E) temptation.
6) What is the role of conference committees?
A) to set the congressional agenda
B) to ensure ethical behavior by members of Congress
C) to hear testimony from citizens and interest groups
D) to reach compromises on bills after both chambers have passed similar bills
E) to reach compromises on a bill after they have been referred from standing committees
and before they are referred to select committees
7) Which committees are most numerous?
A) standing committees
B) subcommittees
C) joint committees
D) select committees
E) special committees
8) Why do members of Congress pass pork and earmarks?
A) because each project benefits the country as a whole
B) because agricultural subsidies are necessary to ensure that the United States has enough
domestic food sources in case an armed conflict cuts off supplies of imported food
C) because Congress prefers to pass bills that are in the long-term best interests of the
country
D) because they help members of Congress get reelected
E) because it is important for the United States to be a good global citizen
9) What is the composition of committees in the House of Representatives?
A) The majority party has all of the seats on a majority of committees; the minority party has
all of the seats on a minority of committees.
B) The majority party has a majority of seats on all committees; the minority party has a
minority of seats on all committees.
C) The majority party has a majority of seats on a majority of committees; the minority party
has a majority of seats on a minority of committees.
D) Each committee has an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.
E) Partisanship does not affect committee composition.
10) How are committee chairs selected in the House?
A) by lot
B) by seniority
C) by party loyalty
D) by margin of electoral victory
E) according to the size of Representativesʹ constituencies
Thursday, December 1, 2011
7.2 Pages 242 to 250
1) How does the Constitution define impeachable offenses?
A) ʺthose acts which by their very Nature breach the public trust.ʺ
B) ʺa felony of any class.ʺ
C) ʺabuse of power or reckless disregard for the Principles of Democracy.ʺ
D) ʺTreason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.ʺ
E) ʺactions contrary to the Interests of the Union, or those actions which Appear contrary.ʺ
2) Who conducts impeachment trials?
A) the House of Representatives
B) the Senate
C) a joint session of Congress
D) the Supreme Court
E) the presidentʹs cabinet
3) The House of Representatives has the sole power to
A) try impeached officials.
B) approve treaties.
C) make agreements with the executive.
D) initiate revenue bills.
E) declare war.
4) The Senate has the sole power to
A) declare war.
B) approve major presidential appointments.
C) regulate the District of Columbia.
D) issue patents and copyrights.
E) establish post offices and post roads.
5) Which of the following accurately characterizes a difference in the way the House and Senate
operate?
A) The House is more formal than the Senate.
B) The Senate leadership is more powerful than the House leadership.
C) Authority in the Senate is concentrated while authority in the house is diffuse.
D) House rules permit a filibuster but Senate rules do not.
E) It is easier to pass legislation in the Senate than in the House.
6) The leader of the House of Representatives is called the
A) majority leader.
B) President of the House.
C) Speaker of the House.
D) ombudsman.
E) president pro tempore.
7) What kind of Speaker was Newt Gingrich?
A) a powerful Speaker who had considerable control over the House
B) a weak Speaker who had very little control over the House
C) a behind-the-scenes Speaker who stayed out of the limelight
D) a corrupt Speaker who resigned after he was indicted by a Texas grand jury
E) a go-along-to-get-along Speaker
8) What was J. Dennis Hastertʹs style as Speaker?
A) aggressive
B) flamboyant
C) pragmatic and cautious
D) extravagant and overzealous
E) knee-jerk and hot-headed
9) Which of the following best summarized the outcome of the 2006 elections?
A) Republicans retained control of both chambers.
B) Democrats retained control of both chambers.
C) Republicans regained control of both chambers.
D) Democrats regained control of both chambers.
E) Democrats regained control of the House, while Republicans retained control of the
Senate.
10) The congressional leaders who line up members on partisan issues and serve as a link between
the rank-and-file members and the leadership are called
A) whips.
B) majority leaders.
C) minority leaders.
D) parliamentarians.
E) sergeants at arms.
A) ʺthose acts which by their very Nature breach the public trust.ʺ
B) ʺa felony of any class.ʺ
C) ʺabuse of power or reckless disregard for the Principles of Democracy.ʺ
D) ʺTreason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.ʺ
E) ʺactions contrary to the Interests of the Union, or those actions which Appear contrary.ʺ
2) Who conducts impeachment trials?
A) the House of Representatives
B) the Senate
C) a joint session of Congress
D) the Supreme Court
E) the presidentʹs cabinet
3) The House of Representatives has the sole power to
A) try impeached officials.
B) approve treaties.
C) make agreements with the executive.
D) initiate revenue bills.
E) declare war.
4) The Senate has the sole power to
A) declare war.
B) approve major presidential appointments.
C) regulate the District of Columbia.
D) issue patents and copyrights.
E) establish post offices and post roads.
5) Which of the following accurately characterizes a difference in the way the House and Senate
operate?
A) The House is more formal than the Senate.
B) The Senate leadership is more powerful than the House leadership.
C) Authority in the Senate is concentrated while authority in the house is diffuse.
D) House rules permit a filibuster but Senate rules do not.
E) It is easier to pass legislation in the Senate than in the House.
6) The leader of the House of Representatives is called the
A) majority leader.
B) President of the House.
C) Speaker of the House.
D) ombudsman.
E) president pro tempore.
7) What kind of Speaker was Newt Gingrich?
A) a powerful Speaker who had considerable control over the House
B) a weak Speaker who had very little control over the House
C) a behind-the-scenes Speaker who stayed out of the limelight
D) a corrupt Speaker who resigned after he was indicted by a Texas grand jury
E) a go-along-to-get-along Speaker
8) What was J. Dennis Hastertʹs style as Speaker?
A) aggressive
B) flamboyant
C) pragmatic and cautious
D) extravagant and overzealous
E) knee-jerk and hot-headed
9) Which of the following best summarized the outcome of the 2006 elections?
A) Republicans retained control of both chambers.
B) Democrats retained control of both chambers.
C) Republicans regained control of both chambers.
D) Democrats regained control of both chambers.
E) Democrats regained control of the House, while Republicans retained control of the
Senate.
10) The congressional leaders who line up members on partisan issues and serve as a link between
the rank-and-file members and the leadership are called
A) whips.
B) majority leaders.
C) minority leaders.
D) parliamentarians.
E) sergeants at arms.
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