AP US Government : Congressional Procedures
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government
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Example Questions
Example Question #95 : Congress
Most bills die in committee.
True, committees are the only point at which bills are killed
True, committees are the first point at which bills are delayed and eventually killed
False, most bills are killed on the floor
False, bills cannot be killed in committee
True, committees are the first point at which bills are delayed and eventually killed
This is an interesting question. The sad truth of the matter is that committees are a choke-point for bills—the first of many. Bills face a very tough uphill battle in the fight to become law, and this is the first instance where opponents of the bill can work to kill it. Technically speaking, a bill is “pigeonholed” when it is buried in committee (it happens so often there’s a word for it!).
Example Question #96 : Congress
Only Congress can declare war.
False, only a direct vote by the electorate can enact a declaration of war
False, only the Commander-in-Chief can declare war
True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Joint Chiefs of staff direct the troops
True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Commander-in-Chief directs the troops
True, only Congress can declare war, at which point the Commander-in-Chief directs the troops
This should have been a very simple question. Although many presidents seem to act differently, the only government branch that can declare war is Congress (Art I, Sec. 8, Clause 11). That said, the President is commander-in-chief, a term with which you are hopefully familiar, thus the President is vested with the authority to lead the troops (that is, tell them where to go and what to do).
Example Question #41 : Congressional Procedures
Which of the following is true of revenue bills?
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the Senate
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives
Bills for raising revenue can originate in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
Bills for raising revenue can originate and be passed by either the House of Representatives or the Senate
Bills for raising revenue can be passed independently by either the House of Representatives or the Senate
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. This is only true for bills relating to revenue though. All other bills can originate from either the House of Representatives or the Senate. In order for a bill to be passed, the House and the Senate must both approve, and the bill must be identical in passing through both the House and the Senate.
Example Question #98 : Congress
What is required to override a presidential veto?
A two thirds majority of Congress voting to override the veto
A vote of three quarters of the state legislatures in favor of overriding the veto
A ruling by the Federal District Court of Washington D.C.
A signed compromise between the Majority and Minority Leaders in both the House and Senate
A two thirds majority of Congress voting to override the veto
Article I, Section 7, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that in the event of a presidential veto, a 2/3 vote of both the House and the Senate in favor of the bill can override the veto and turn the bill into law.
Example Question #45 : Congressional Procedures
Who has the power to declare war?
The President
The U.S. Congress
The Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Secretary of Defense
The U.S. Congress
Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, as well as the ability to “grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water”
Example Question #101 : Congress
Who has the power to confirm federal judges?
The U.S. Attorney General
The U.S. Senate
The Supreme Court of the United States
The U.S. Congress
The U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate has the power to approve federal judges, as well as other presidential appointments.
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