quiz 1 national
Why the Democrats Went Nuclear
Uses: copy machine, opaque projector, or transparency master for overhead projector. Scholastic Inc. grants teacher-subscribers to The New York Times Upfront permission to reproduce this Skills Sheet for use in their classrooms. ©2014 by Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved.
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1 In the U.S. Senate, the filibuster has typically
4 Since the 1960s, use of the filibuster
been used
a
b
c
d
in the U.S. Senate has
by the Senate majority leader to promote legislation.
by the Senate majority leader to resolve conflicts
between the parties.
by the minority party to push through controversial
appointments or legislation.
by the minority party to block votes on appointments
or legislation.
a
b
c
d
increased tremendously.
virtually stopped.
decreased slightly.
been declared unconstitutional
by the U.S. Supreme Court.
5 Who described the Senate as an impediment
against “improper acts of legislation”?
2 Under the new Senate rules, what will be needed
to end filibusters on most appointments?
a
b
c
d
33 votes
51 votes
60 votes
64 votes
a
b
c
d
Thomas Jefferson, during the Constitutional Convention
James Madison, in the Federalist Papers
Senator John McCain, in a 2011 speech
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts,
in a recent ruling
6 Which senator is famous for a filibuster that
3 Which of the following was affected by a
filibuster in the past five years?
a
b
c
d
the selection of the Senate minority leader
the selection of the Senate majority leader
the Dream Act
the Civil Rights Act
lasted more than 24 hours?
a
b
c
d
Mitch McConnell
Lamar Alexander
Harry Reid
Strom Thurmond
in-depth questions
1 Members of which party support the recent Senate rule changes? Which party’s members oppose it? Why?
2 What is gridlock, and how does it affect the nation? Do you think the filibuster has contributed to gridlock? Explain.
3 Do you think the change to the Senate’s filibuster rule is a good idea? Why or why not?
U p f r o n t • w w w. u p f r o n t m a g a z i n e . c o m
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