Social Science Review 2026: U.S. Political Systems, Elections, and Party Dynamics

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) provides what kind of assistance to conservative state legislators across the country? A. Funds their campaigns B. Writes and helps get it passed C. Provides legal defense D. Conducts polls for legislation Rationale: ALEC drafts model legislation and helps legislators pass it; it does not fund campaigns or provide legal defense. Which committee is a permanent committee that covers one particular subject area? A. Joint B. Select C. Standing D. Conference Rationale: Standing committees are permanent and cover specific subjects. Other types are temporary or serve other functions. In Texas, the governor's State of the State address is an example of the ________ power. A. Message B. Veto C. Line-item veto D. Directive Rationale: The State of the State is a message power; it communicates priorities but does not enact legislation. ________ must begin in the House of Representatives. A. General bills B. Revenue bills C. Special bills D. Local bills Rationale: Revenue bills originate in the House, similar to the federal system. Which of the following is true about bicameralism in the Texas legislature? A. It allows bills to pass without compromise B. It reduces legislative powers C. Since bills must be passed by both chambers, the process requires compromise, but also allows individual members the ability to block passage of bills D. It eliminates minority influence Rationale: Bicameralism requires agreement between House and Senate, allowing compromise and minority influence. Districts for members of the Texas House include more people than districts for members of the Texas Senate. A. True B. False C. Only in odd years D. Only in even years Rationale: Senate districts are larger than House districts. If the governor decides that he or she does not want a bill passed by the legislature to become law, he or she must do what? A. Ignore it B. Pass it C. Veto it D. Refer it to court Rationale: The governor can prevent a bill from becoming law only by vetoing it. Texas senators serve ________-year terms and House members serve ________-year terms. A. 2; 4 B. 4; 2 C. 6; 3 D. 3; 6 Rationale: Senate terms are 4 years; House terms are 2 years. The Texas Constitution permits the election to the Texas legislature of persons who are not U.S. citizens but who have been legal residents of Texas for at least 10 years. A. True B. False C. Only for local bills D. Only for special sessions Rationale: Only U.S. citizens may be elected to the legislature. When the governor strikes out specific spending provisions in large appropriations bills it is called A. Veto override B. Pocket veto C. Line-item veto D. Message veto Rationale: The line-item veto allows striking portions of a bill without rejecting the entire measure. The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature is set by the A. Speaker of the House B. Lieutenant governor C. Governor D. Chief justice Rationale: The governor alone sets the agenda for special sessions. Each member of the Texas Senate represents about ___________ people, while each member of the Texas House represents about_________ people. A. 168,000; 811,000 B. 500,000; 200,000 C. 811,000; 168,000 D. 1,000,000; 100,000 Rationale: Senate districts are larger than House districts. Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state? A. Local bill B. Special bill C. General bill D. Resolution Rationale: General bills apply statewide; local and special bills apply to limited areas. What is the importance of the Supreme Court's decisions in Reynolds v. Sims and Baker v. Carr? A. Increased voter turnout B. One person, one vote C. Limited legislative power D. Established filibuster rules Rationale: These rulings established equal population districts for fair representation. While bills must be introduced by a member of the legislature, ______________ can write a bill. A. Only legislators B. Anyone C. Governor only D. Committee chairs only Rationale: Citizens, groups, and others can draft bills; introduction requires a legislator. Which of the following statements about simple resolutions is correct? A. They require governor’s signature B. They don't require signature of governor C. They are permanent laws D. They apply statewide Rationale: Simple resolutions affect only one chamber and don’t require the governor’s signature. In even-numbered years, Texas representatives receive a salary of only ________ per year, not including a per diem. A. $50,000 B. $7,200 C. $25,000 D. $10,000 Rationale: Texas House members earn $7,200 annually, excluding per diem. Which type of districts are used in the Texas House and Senate? A. Multi-member districts B. At-large districts C. Single member districts D. Mixed districts Rationale: Each district elects one representative or senator to ensure localized representation. Who has responsibility for redistricting the legislative districts in Texas? A. Governor B. The Texas legislature tries first, but if it fails, the job goes to the Legislative Redistricting Board C. Supreme Court of Texas D. Secretary of State Rationale: The legislature initially handles redistricting; the board intervenes only if needed. When a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill in the Texas legislature, what happens? A. The bill is fast-tracked B. The bill is sent to conference committee C. The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed D. The bill is signed into law Rationale: Pigeonholing prevents a bill from being debated, effectively killing it without a vote. Special sessions last 60 days, and there is no limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call. A. True B. False C. Only 30 days D. Only one per term Rationale: Special sessions are limited to 30 days in Texas, not 60, and the governor can call multiple sessions, but duration is fixed by law. Members of the Texas House of Representatives are permitted to speak on the House floor for as long as they wish. A. False B. True C. Only during special sessions D. Only with Speaker approval Rationale: House members are limited by rules and cannot speak indefinitely. Conference committees are designed to make Texas House and Senate bills identical to each other. A. False B. True C. Only for local bills D. Only for general bills Rationale: Conference committees reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill. Like the U.S. president, the governor of Texas can kill a bill by refusing to sign it. A. False B. True C. Only for local bills D. Only for special sessions Rationale: The Texas governor has a post-adjournment veto and line-item veto, but cannot simply refuse like the president; the process differs. Which of the following is true about the redistricting process in Texas? A. It only impacts the U.S. House districts B. It redraws district lines for U.S. House, Texas Senate, and Texas House every 10 years C. It is handled only by the governor D. It occurs annually Rationale: Redistricting occurs after each census to maintain equal population across districts. Constituent service can play an important role in: A. Reducing legislative powers B. Creating a personal relationship between legislators and constituents, giving an advantage in reelection C. Changing term limits D. Determining committee assignments Rationale: Providing services to constituents strengthens relationships and electoral support. Which bill type grants a particular corporation an exception from a state law? A. General bill B. Resolution C. Special bill D. Local bill Rationale: Special bills provide exceptions or specific allowances, unlike general or local bills. The power of recognition allows the Speaker of the House to: A. Appoint senators B. Determine who gets to speak and how long debates will last C. Override the governor’s veto D. Redistrict House districts Rationale: Recognition is the procedural authority to control debate and floor activity. The Texas legislature has "directive and supervisory powers" that include the ability to: A. Enact foreign policy B. Review each state agency every 12 years C. Control federal agencies D. Override Supreme Court decisions Rationale: The legislature monitors state agencies but does not have federal authority. Which of the following statements about the lieutenant governor is correct? A. He or she is elected by members of the legislature B. Represents a small district only C. Cannot vote in the Senate D. Elected in a statewide election, represents the whole state Rationale: The lieutenant governor is statewide, unlike House members representing districts. Which type of resolution does not require the governor’s signature and affects only one chamber? A. Joint resolution B. Concurrent resolution C. Simple resolution D. Special resolution Rationale: Simple resolutions are internal measures for one chamber, not laws. Members of the Texas Senate serve terms of: A. 2 years B. 3 years C. 4 years D. 6 years Rationale: Senators serve 4-year terms; House members serve 2 years. Revenue bills must begin in: A. Senate B. Joint committee C. House of Representatives D. Governor’s office Rationale: State constitutions often require revenue bills to originate in the lower chamber. Which of the following statements about the post-adjournment veto is correct? A. It can be overridden by the legislature B. It cannot be overturned C. It applies only to special bills D. It lasts 30 days Rationale: Post-adjournment vetoes are final because the legislature is not in session. If a citizen writes a bill, who must introduce it to the legislature? A. Governor B. Any member of the legislature C. Committee chair D. Attorney General Rationale: Citizens cannot introduce bills directly; a legislator must submit it. The Texas Constitution forbids the legislature to borrow money to: A. Fund infrastructure B. Pay pensions C. Conduct daily operations of government D. Fund elections Rationale: Borrowing is restricted to prevent fiscal mismanagement of routine government expenses.