AP Government Quiz: Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress

What is the main leadership position in the House of Representatives?

• Minority Whip

• President Pro Tempore

• Speaker of the House

• Majority Leader

Which committee in the Senate is responsible for making decisions on federal spending?

• Joint Committee on Printing

• Appropriations Committee

• Ways and Means Committee

• Committee of the Whole

What is the purpose of a discharge petition in the House of Representatives?

• To elect a new Speaker of the House

• To dissolve the House of Representatives

• To bring a bill out of committee for a floor vote

• To impeach a member of the House

Which type of committee is formed for a specific purpose and is temporary in nature?

• Standing Committee

• Joint Committee

• Select Committee

• Conference Committee

What is the purpose of the cloture rule in the Senate?

• To control the legislative agenda

• To prevent filibustering

• To allow unlimited debate time

• To restrict the privileges of senators

What is log rolling in the context of Congress?

• A method of voting used in the Senate

• A procedure for amending bills in the Senate

• A type of committee in the House of Representatives

• An elaborate system of congressional backscratching

What is the largest category for discretionary spending in the federal budget?

• Infrastructure

• Human Resources

• Education

• Defense

What is the term for funds earmarked for a particular representative's district in a bill?

• Pork Barrel Spending

• Log Rolling

• Mandatory Spending

• Discretionary Spending

Which position in the Senate is responsible for setting the legislative agenda?

• Majority Leader

• Vice President

• President Pro Tempore

• Minority Whip

What is the purpose of the joint committee in Congress?

• To control the legislative agenda

• To involve members from both the House and the Senate

• To restrict the privileges of senators

• To draft precise legislation