Unit 2 AP Government Congress

Front

Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true? It has been banned by United States Supreme Court decisions starting with Baker v. Carr, It was used traditionally to maintain urban control of the House of Representatives., It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible. , It guarantees greater constituency control over elected representatives.

Back

It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that gerrymandering can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible, allowing them to maximize their electoral advantage.

Front

Even with large majorities in their own party in Congress, presidents experience difficulty in exercising legislative leadership because

Back

the weak nature of political parties hampers the president's ability to control Congress

Answer explanation

The weak nature of political parties means that presidents cannot easily control or unify Congress, even with majorities, making legislative leadership challenging.

Front

Which of the following statements about the Senate is true? Each state is represented in the Senate according to its population. , The Senate, unlike the House, has a Rules Committee. , The Senate is more responsible than the House for initiating appropriations legislation. , Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process.

Back

Individual senators can exercise substantial influence over the legislative process.

Answer explanation

Individual senators can indeed exercise substantial influence over the legislative process due to the Senate's smaller size and rules that allow for extended debate and individual amendments, unlike the House.

Front

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:
Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.
The Senate may refuse to approve a presidential appointment.
Congress may override a presidential veto.
Congress may remove the president through its impeachment and conviction powers.

Back

Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional.

Answer explanation

Congress cannot declare a presidential action unconstitutional; that power lies with the judiciary. The other options correctly describe checks the legislative branch has over the executive.

Front

The role Congress plays in ensuring that executive branch agencies are carrying out their legislated responsibilities is known as

Back

legislative oversight

Answer explanation

The correct answer is legislative oversight, which refers to Congress's role in monitoring and ensuring that executive branch agencies implement laws as intended.

Front

Advocates of shifting the task of drawing United States House districts from state legislatures to independent commissions are likely to claim which of the following as an advantage of independent commissions?
Options:
Independent commissions are more likely to create majority-minority districts where they are appropriate.
Independent commissions are more likely to create districts where minor parties are victorious.
House districts drawn by independent commissions are immune from challenges by the United States Department of Justice.
Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process.

Back

Independent commissions significantly reduce the influence of partisan gerrymandering in the redistricting process.

Answer explanation

Advocates argue that independent commissions reduce partisan gerrymandering, leading to fairer and more impartial district maps. This helps ensure that districts are drawn based on population and community interests rather than political advantage.

Front

The --- confirms or denies presidential appointments to the Federal bureaucracy.

Back

Senate

Answer explanation

The Senate is responsible for confirming or denying presidential appointments to the Federal bureaucracy, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution. The other options, like Congress and the House of Representatives, do not have this specific role.

Front

After a national census has been taken, changes in population distribution cause the changing of congressional seats among the states. This effect is commonly called

Back

Repportionment

Answer explanation

The correct term for the process of reallocating congressional seats based on population changes after a census is 'Reapportionment'. This ensures representation reflects current population distribution.

Front

Which of the following is NOT true of the Congress?
Each house determines its own leadership and rules
Terms of Congress last for two years
Congress is unicameral in nature
Only the president may call special sessions of Congress

Back

Congress is unicameral in nature

Answer explanation

Congress is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, making the statement that it is unicameral false. The other statements about leadership, terms, and special sessions are true.

Front

Which of the following best describes a nonlegislative power of Congress? Power to declare war, Power to tax, Impeachment power, Power to regulate commerce

Back

Impeachment power

Answer explanation

The impeachment power is a nonlegislative power of Congress, allowing it to remove federal officials. In contrast, declaring war, taxing, and regulating commerce are legislative powers.