PPLE TEST BANK ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED RESPONSES FULL SOLUTION
⩥ block grants.
Answer: Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or
communities to support broad programs in areas such as community
development and social services
⩥ Revenue Sharing.
Answer: Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the
states
⩥ Mandates (funded and unfunded).
Answer: terms set by the national government that states must meet
regardless if funds are not provided.
Examples: The Clean Air Act, Motor Voter Act, Americans with
Disabilities Act
⩥ 10th Amendment and the effect on the balance of power.
Answer: reserves to the states and the people all powers not granted to
the national government or prohibited to the states. Traditionally, these
powers include health, education, and welfare.
,This amendment is the basis of federalism and state sovereignty. It does
not effectively balance power with the national government but allows
states control over matters that are not of national interest.
⩥ The Commerce Clause and the effect on the balance of power.
Answer: Originally, the clause applied to the movement of goods and
trade from state to state. Now, almost every activity is considered
interstate commerce and the federal government can regulate it. During
the Civil Rights movement, Congress used the clause to end
discrimination in private businesses. However, US v Lopez (1995)
limited Congress' use of the commerce clause when applied to public
schools.
⩥ The Necessary and Proper Clause and the effect on the balance of
power.
Answer: This clause, also called the "elastic clause," is an enlargement
of the powers expressly granted to Congress. As evidence in the
McCulloch case, the clause upheld the creation of a central bank.
Another example of the Necessary and Proper Clause in use by Congress
is that Congress has the power to create a prison system and to punish
people who violate criminal laws, even though that is not explicitly
mentioned in the Constitution.
⩥ Describe the different structures, powers, and function of each house
of Congress.
Answer: 1. The Senate is designed to represent states equally, while the
House is designed to represent the population.
,2. Different chamber sizes and constituents influence formality of
debate.
3. Coalitions in Congress are affected by term-length differences.
⩥ House of Representatives.
Answer: Terms: 2 years
Membership: 435
Constituents: Congressional Districts
Unique Powers are Initiates all spending bills through the House Ways
and Means Committee, Brings impeachment charges
More centralized and formal
Incumbents almost always win re-election
⩥ The Senate.
Answer: Terms: 6 years
100 members
1/3rd up for election every two years
, Represents an entire state
Unique powers are Advice & Consent Clause to approve treaties by
2/3rds vote, Confirm judicial & executive appointments, Try
impeachment charges (removal power)
Less centralized & less formal
Turnover rate is minimal
⩥ Filibuster.
Answer: A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to
relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote
on a controversial issue.
⩥ Cloture.
Answer: A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the
Senate. 60 votes needed
⩥ Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Answer: top leadership position of the majority party; he/she actively
works to set that party's agenda; elected by members of the majority part
Determines priority of bills and refers them to committees
Appoints House members to standing and conference committees
VERIFIED RESPONSES FULL SOLUTION
⩥ block grants.
Answer: Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or
communities to support broad programs in areas such as community
development and social services
⩥ Revenue Sharing.
Answer: Federal sharing of a fixed percentage of its revenue with the
states
⩥ Mandates (funded and unfunded).
Answer: terms set by the national government that states must meet
regardless if funds are not provided.
Examples: The Clean Air Act, Motor Voter Act, Americans with
Disabilities Act
⩥ 10th Amendment and the effect on the balance of power.
Answer: reserves to the states and the people all powers not granted to
the national government or prohibited to the states. Traditionally, these
powers include health, education, and welfare.
,This amendment is the basis of federalism and state sovereignty. It does
not effectively balance power with the national government but allows
states control over matters that are not of national interest.
⩥ The Commerce Clause and the effect on the balance of power.
Answer: Originally, the clause applied to the movement of goods and
trade from state to state. Now, almost every activity is considered
interstate commerce and the federal government can regulate it. During
the Civil Rights movement, Congress used the clause to end
discrimination in private businesses. However, US v Lopez (1995)
limited Congress' use of the commerce clause when applied to public
schools.
⩥ The Necessary and Proper Clause and the effect on the balance of
power.
Answer: This clause, also called the "elastic clause," is an enlargement
of the powers expressly granted to Congress. As evidence in the
McCulloch case, the clause upheld the creation of a central bank.
Another example of the Necessary and Proper Clause in use by Congress
is that Congress has the power to create a prison system and to punish
people who violate criminal laws, even though that is not explicitly
mentioned in the Constitution.
⩥ Describe the different structures, powers, and function of each house
of Congress.
Answer: 1. The Senate is designed to represent states equally, while the
House is designed to represent the population.
,2. Different chamber sizes and constituents influence formality of
debate.
3. Coalitions in Congress are affected by term-length differences.
⩥ House of Representatives.
Answer: Terms: 2 years
Membership: 435
Constituents: Congressional Districts
Unique Powers are Initiates all spending bills through the House Ways
and Means Committee, Brings impeachment charges
More centralized and formal
Incumbents almost always win re-election
⩥ The Senate.
Answer: Terms: 6 years
100 members
1/3rd up for election every two years
, Represents an entire state
Unique powers are Advice & Consent Clause to approve treaties by
2/3rds vote, Confirm judicial & executive appointments, Try
impeachment charges (removal power)
Less centralized & less formal
Turnover rate is minimal
⩥ Filibuster.
Answer: A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to
relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote
on a controversial issue.
⩥ Cloture.
Answer: A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the
Senate. 60 votes needed
⩥ Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Answer: top leadership position of the majority party; he/she actively
works to set that party's agenda; elected by members of the majority part
Determines priority of bills and refers them to committees
Appoints House members to standing and conference committees
