Practice Final Exam

I. Identifications. Answer 11 of the following 13 (4 points each). Write a short paragraph (not just a couple of words) explaining item’s meaning and significance.

1. The Armed Ship Bill
2. Executive agreements
3. The Speech or Debate Clause
4. Marginal income tax rates
5. Grassroots consultants
6. Queen-of-the-Hill Rule
7. Subdelegation
8. The “Decision of 1789”
9. CTBT
10. BCRA
11. Sunshine laws
12. Racial gerrymandering
13. Backdoor spending

II Short answers. Answer 3 of the following 4 (6 points each). Each reply should take a brief paragraph.

1. Explain the differences among the authorizing committees, the appropriations committees, and the budget committees.
2. “It’s not enough just to lobby in Washington,” a DeLay staffer told Andres, “These members need air cover in the media.” Explain.
3. Briefly describe three ways by which Congress oversees the bureaucracy.
4. Briefly describe the three impeachment proceedings against U.S. presidents.

III. Essays Answer 2 of the following 3 (19 points each). Each answer should take about 2-3 large bluebook pages or 4-5 small bluebook pages.

1. Take any of JFK’s “profiles in courage.” How does this story illustrate differences between the Congress of its time and the Congress of 2010? Are there any important similarities?
2. See this article: http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/04/saving_the_republic_yes_we_can.html In light of what we have learned in this course, do you agree or disagree? Answer with reference to Fisher and other class materials.
3. Consider this statement: “The usual textbook discussion of how a bill becomes a law no longer provides a complete understanding of the standard operating procedure of Congress.” Explain, with specific examples. Is this development good or bad for Congress?

Bonus identifications (1 point each). Very briefly identify the following:

• G. Harrold Carswell
• Shirley Chisholm
• Dante Calvo
• James F. Clyburn
• William S. Cohen