Gov Exam 2 – Flashcards
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Which is a group of presidential advisers? This group is too large and too diverse to serve as a collective board.
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The White House staff
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How did the Pendleton Act reform the system of hiring and firing federal employees?
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It required hiring and firing decisions to be based on merit rather than partisan loyalty.
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Which executive power was intended as a "qualified negative" by the Framers?
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The power to veto
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How has the office of vice president changed over the years?
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The vice president has been more involved in the policy-making process in recent years than in the past.
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In the first major civil rights case addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court, Dred Scott v. Sandford, which of the following best describes the issues at stake?
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The constitutionality of the Missouri Compromise and whether slaves were U.S. citizens
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What was the objective of the women's suffrage movement?
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The right to vote
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The civil service system was introduced following passage of what law?
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The Pendleton Act
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Why was the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the Constitution adopted?
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to clear up ambiguities over the constitutional provisions surrounding the role of the vice president should the president die or become incapacitated
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Whom did the Framers expect to be the first president of the United States?
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George Washington
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Which statement is true of the House of Representatives?
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Members are elected every two years and apportioned to states based on population.
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Women were guaranteed the right to vote by __________.
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he Nineteenth Amendment
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How is a vice presidential vacancy filled?
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The president appoints a new vice president, to be approved by Congress.
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Which is an example of logrolling in Congress?
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supporting a bill in exchange for support of one's own bill
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How might a bill become law if it has been pocket vetoed?
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The bill must be reintroduced in the next session of Congress.
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What was the turning point that gave rise to the modern institutional presidency?
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the economic and social turmoil of the Great Depression
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What distinguishes modern presidents from early presidents?
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Modern presidents are much less active in the formulation of policy than early presidents.
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What proportion of the total economy did the government consume in 2012?
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one-fourth
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Each state has __________ senators elected every __________ years.
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two, six
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How does the White House staff differ from the president's Cabinet?
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The White House staff has greater access to and more influence on the president than the Cabinet.
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Why is there the potential for conflict over virtually all aspects of government?
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All constitutional powers are shared.
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Which institutional resource is closest to the president?
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White House staff
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What best explains the overwhelming advantage incumbents possess in seeking reelection over opposition candidates?
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name recognition, access to media, and franking privilege
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A __________ is a special committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate.
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conference committee
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In which institutional resource are leaders both appointed by the president and approved by the Senate?
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the Cabinet
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Congress can remove a president through __________.
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impeachment
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Why are there currently 435 members in the House of Representatives?
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The number is fixed at this limit by a statute.
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Rosa Parks was arrested for challenging which of the following?
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Jim Crow laws
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Which of the following is an example of Max Weber's merit principle?
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agencies hiring people based on their performance on entrance exams
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Congressional whips serve what main function?
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persuade party members to toe the party line
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What did Jim Crow laws mandate?
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racial segregation
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In order to prevent tyranny, what did Benjamin Franklin think had to be included in the Constitution?
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a process of impeachment
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Which statement about incumbency is most accurate?
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Incumbents have a huge advantage in reelection.
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In the House of Representatives, who is second in authority to the Speaker of the House?
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majority leader
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What does the Twenty-Second Amendment do?
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requires that presidents serve only two terms
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The Thirteenth Amendment bans slavery. When was it passed?
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immediately after the Civil War
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The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in what activity?
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running for elected office
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What has to happen in Congress before the president can be impeached?
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The House can impeach the president by a simple majority; the Senate needs a two-thirds majority.
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How does Congress exercise control over agencies and departments in the federal bureaucracy?
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by issuing executive orders
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Under the spoils system, who was awarded jobs in the federal bureaucracy?
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those who helped candidates win election
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The Fourteenth Amendment attempted to guarantee which of the following to former slaves?
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citizenship rights
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__________ are rules created by government agencies that determine how laws are implemented.
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Regulations
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In the House of Representatives, the __________ decides who will speak on the floor, and rules on points of order.
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Speaker
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What is a goal common to both the Pendleton Act and the Hatch Act?
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reducing the influence of partisan politics on the federal bureaucracy.
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What precipitated the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
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The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech
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The role of Senate minority leader is important because __________.
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he or she represents the opposition in negotiations with the majority leader
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Of the following people, who could serve in the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy?
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closeted gays and lesbians
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Historically, vice-presidential candidates are chosen to __________.
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politically balance the ticket
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The House minority leader __________.
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is elected by the minority party
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What best represents the trend of party polarization over the last three decades?
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Party polarization has increased as bipartisanship has decreased.
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Which presidential oversight includes the State of the Union address?
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The president must inform and convene Congress.
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Which examines the cost implications of a proposed bill?
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Office of Management and Budget
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Which group's major function is to help presidents execute laws and make decisions?
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the Cabinet
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What is executive privilege?
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the right to keep communications confidential to the presidency
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The use of __________ in foreign matters is an example of the president acting as a global leader.
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executive agreements
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Political appointees in the federal bureaucracy __________.
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may remain in office until a new president is elected
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The Constitutional Convention resulted in what form of legislature?
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bicameral
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The Fifteenth Amendment guarantees citizens the right to vote regardless of __________.
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race
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The __________ was one of the first executive branch departments in the U. S. government.
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the Treasury Department
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"Pork" legislation may aid the district of a member of Congress by _______ ___.
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increasing jobs and revenue with federally funded projects
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The __________ is the departments, agencies, and offices within the executive branch that perform the functions of government.
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bureaucracy
