Federal Government Exam 3 Review

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Which agency processes all federal rules and collects the budgets for all government agencies?

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

What is the authority of courts to review legislative and executive actions for constitutionality?

Judicial review.

Most impeachment votes involving a president are votes.

Largely party-line votes.

What did the framers call the “least dangerous branch” of government?

The Judiciary branch.

A U.S. senator serves a -year term

six years at a time, and one-third of them are picked every two years.

The president’s delegated powers come from .

Laws passed by Congress granting authority for specific tasks.

What is the difference between an Iron Triangle and an Issue Network?

An iron triangle is a stable and limited, mutually beneficial relationship between a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group, while an issue network is a more fluid and broad, temporary alliance of diverse groups working on a specific policy issue. 

Difference between open and closed rules in Congress?

governs the amendment process for a bill once it reaches the floor.

open rule allows for any germane amendment to be offered, while a closed rule prohibits all amendments.

Main function of a PAC vs a Super PAC?

PACs donate directly to candidates with limits

Super PAC do not have limits, unlimited money

How many justices serve on the Supreme Court, and who is the newest member?

9 justices - Ketanji Brown Jackson 2022

All people in a congressional district are the ___ of their representative.

Constituents.

Civil Law vs Criminal Law — difference?

Civil law = deals with private rights and remedies between individuals.
Criminal law = deals with offenses against the public or the state and aims to punish wrongdoing.

A pocket veto is used by .

The president, by taking no action when Congress adjourns within 10 days of receiving a bill.

The 15 executive departments are known as the .

The President’s Cabinet.

Agencies like the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security are examples of what?

Executive departments in the federal bureaucracy.

The president’s military powers are expressed in which role?

Commander in Chief.

Difference between redistricting and gerrymandering?

Redistricting redraws voting districts

Top leadership in the Senate and House (and their 2025 names)?

Senate:

Majority Leader, John Thune

Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer

House:

Speaker, Mike Johnson

Majority, Steve Scalise

Minority, Hakeem Jeffries

Who presides over the Supreme Court’s public sessions, and what is their name?

The Chief Justice — John Roberts.

Purpose of the National Security Council and when it was established?

Coordinates national security policy - National Security Act of 1947.

What is a “class-action lawsuit”?

A legal case filed by individuals on behalf of a larger group with similar claims.

The Secretary of Education, Defense, and Interior belong to what body?

The President’s Cabinet.

When presidents appeal directly to the public for support, it’s called .

Going public or using the bully pulpit.

The Senate’s “advice and consent” role applies to what?

Confirming presidential appointments and ratifying treaties.

The Supreme Court can strike down laws through what power, and where did it originate?

Judicial review

Executive order, agreement, and privilege — difference?

An executive order directs government actions,
an executive agreement handles foreign deals without Senate approval,
and executive privilege allows the President to keep certain information confidential.

Federal employees who expose misconduct are protected under .

The Whistleblower Protection Act.

Eventually a bill may become _ after passing Congress.

Law.

Airline disasters caused by poor oversight are examples of what in bureaucracy?

Regulatory failure.

powers are specifically stated in the Constitution.

Expressed (or enumerated) powers.

Role of Bureaucracy vs Congress?

Congress writes and passes the laws

bureaucracy puts those laws into action and manages day-to-day government operations.

Plaintiff vs Defendant?

plaintiff starts the lawsuit, claiming harm or loss

defendant is the one who must respond and defend against those accusations.

How can Congress oversee the president?

Through hearings, investigations, funding control, and impeachment.

The president’s power to reject acts of Congress is called .

The veto.

How can Congress override a veto?

By a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Obergefell v. Hodges illustrates the Court’s power to .

Expand civil rights through constitutional interpretation.

Shelby County v. Holder is significant because it .

Weakened the Voting Rights Act by removing preclearance rules.

Citizens United v. FEC is important because it .

Allowed unlimited corporate and union spending in elections as free speech.

Straight-ticket vs Split-ticket voting?

Straight-ticket = same party for all offices

What does a filibuster allow senators to do?

Delay or block legislation through extended debate.

Inherent vs Delegated powers — difference?

Delegated powers are those explicitly given by the Constitution
inherent powers are those the government naturally possesses

What is an incumbent?

A current officeholder running for reelection.

Role of committees and caucuses in Congress?

Committees draft and review bills

Define regulatory capture.

When regulators act in favor of the industries they oversee instead of the public.

Significance of the War Powers Resolution?

Limits presidential military action to 60 days without congressional approval.

Impoundment Control Act — purpose?

Prevents presidents from withholding funds approved by Congress.

Define writ of habeas corpus.

A court order requiring that a person’s detention be legally justified.

What is multiple referral?

Assigning a bill to more than one committee for consideration.

Define congressional oversight.

Congress’s power to monitor and supervise executive agencies.

What is a dissenting opinion? / Briefs

A written disagreement by justices opposing the majority ruling.

What is an Independent Regulatory Commission?

An agency outside executive departments regulating specific industries (e.g., FCC, SEC).

Trustee vs Delegate model of representation?

trustee model, lawmakers use their own judgment to make decisions.
delegate model, lawmakers follow their constituents’ wishes, even if they personally disagree.

Substantive vs Descriptive representation?

Substantive representation means acting for a group’s interests,
descriptive representation means being like the group being represented.

John Thune

Majority Leader, Senate

Chuck Schumer

Minority Leader, Senate

Mike Johnson

Speaker, House of Rep

Steve Scalise

Majority, House of Rep

Hakeem Jeffries

Minority, House of Rep