PSC American Government and Institutions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of the U.S. Congress?
- To implement and enforce federal laws
- To enact federal legislation and exercise oversight of the executive branch (Correct answer)
- To interpret the Constitution and settle legal disputes
- To conduct foreign policy and negotiate treaties
Correct answer: To enact federal legislation and exercise oversight of the executive branch
Congress's primary functions are to make federal laws, appropriate government funds, and exercise oversight of the executive branch's activities.
Question 2: How many senators does each U.S. state send to the Senate regardless of population?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- Varies by state population
Correct answer: 2
The Constitution provides that each state, regardless of population, has equal representation in the Senate with two senators per state.
Question 3: Which constitutional amendment abolished slavery in the United States?
- Thirteenth Amendment (Correct answer)
- Fourteenth Amendment
- Fifteenth Amendment
- Nineteenth Amendment
Correct answer: Thirteenth Amendment
The Thirteenth Amendment (1865) abolished slavery and involuntary servitude throughout the United States, except as punishment for a crime.
Question 4: What does the term 'filibuster' refer to in the U.S. Senate?
- A procedure to fast-track legislation with a simple majority
- An extended debate or procedural tactic used to delay or block a vote (Correct answer)
- The process of impeaching a federal official
- A presidential veto of Senate-passed legislation
Correct answer: An extended debate or procedural tactic used to delay or block a vote
A filibuster is a Senate procedural tactic in which a senator or senators use extended debate to delay or prevent a vote on legislation, requiring 60 votes (cloture) to end.
Question 5: The War Powers Resolution of 1973 was passed by Congress primarily to:
- Grant the president unlimited authority to deploy troops
- Limit the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval (Correct answer)
- Require the Senate to ratify all military treaties
- Abolish the draft and create an all-volunteer military
Correct answer: Limit the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing forces and limits unauthorized deployments to 60 days without congressional approval.
Question 6: Which body has the sole power of impeachment (bringing formal charges) against federal officials, including the president?
- The Senate
- The House of Representatives (Correct answer)
- The Supreme Court
- The Department of Justice
Correct answer: The House of Representatives
The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power to impeach federal officials, while the Senate holds the trial and votes on conviction and removal.
PSC American Government and Institutions 2
What is the primary function of the U.S.
Congress?