FSOT U.S. Government and Politics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which constitutional provision grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce?
- Article I, Section 7
- Article I, Section 8 (Correct answer)
- Article II, Section 2
- Article III, Section 1
Correct answer: Article I, Section 8
Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states.
Question 2: What is the primary role of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)?
- Auditing federal agencies for waste and fraud
- Preparing and overseeing the federal budget (Correct answer)
- Confirming presidential appointments
- Reviewing proposed legislation for constitutionality
Correct answer: Preparing and overseeing the federal budget
The OMB is responsible for preparing the President's annual budget proposal and overseeing its implementation across federal agencies.
Question 3: Under the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, federal jobs were to be awarded based on:
- Political patronage
- Seniority in the party
- Competitive examinations (Correct answer)
- Presidential discretion
Correct answer: Competitive examinations
The Pendleton Act established merit-based hiring through competitive exams, replacing the spoils system.
Question 4: Which court case established the principle of judicial review in the United States?
- McCulloch v. Maryland
- Gibbons v. Ogden
- Marbury v. Madison (Correct answer)
- Fletcher v. Peck
Correct answer: Marbury v. Madison
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Supreme Court's power to strike down laws that conflict with the Constitution.
Question 5: The 17th Amendment to the Constitution changed the method of selecting U.S. Senators to:
- Appointment by state governors
- Direct popular election (Correct answer)
- Selection by state legislatures
- Presidential nomination
Correct answer: Direct popular election
The 17th Amendment (1913) provided for the direct election of senators by voters in each state.
Question 6: Which term describes a legislative tactic in the Senate where debate is prolonged indefinitely to delay or prevent a vote?
- Cloture
- Filibuster (Correct answer)
- Pocket veto
- Discharge petition
Correct answer: Filibuster
A filibuster is an extended debate tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on legislation.
Question 7: The concept of 'federalism' in the U.S. system refers to:
- The supremacy of federal law over state law in all matters
- The division of power between national and state governments (Correct answer)
- The system of checks and balances among branches
- Congressional oversight of the executive branch
Correct answer: The division of power between national and state governments
Federalism describes the constitutional division of governing authority between the national government and the states.
FSOT U.S. Government and Politics 2
Which constitutional provision grants Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce?