Suspending the Rules

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge on the topic of suspending the rules in a legislative body.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: legislative process suspending the rules parliamentary procedure
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the purpose of suspending the rules in a legislative body?

  1. To allow for a vote on a bill that has not been properly noticed.

  2. To allow for a vote on a bill that has been filibustered.

  3. To allow for a vote on a bill that has been vetoed by the executive.

  4. To allow for a vote on a bill that has been deemed unconstitutional by the courts.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Suspending the rules allows a legislative body to bypass the normal procedures for considering a bill and bring it to a vote immediately.

What is the most common reason for suspending the rules?

  1. To expedite the passage of a bill that is considered to be urgent.

  2. To prevent a bill from being filibustered.

  3. To override a veto by the executive.

  4. To reconsider a bill that has already been voted on.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Suspending the rules is often used to expedite the passage of a bill that is considered to be urgent, such as a bill that is necessary to address a national emergency.

What are the requirements for suspending the rules in the United States House of Representatives?

  1. A two-thirds majority vote.

  2. A simple majority vote.

  3. A unanimous consent vote.

  4. A vote of the Speaker of the House.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In the United States House of Representatives, a two-thirds majority vote is required to suspend the rules.

What are the requirements for suspending the rules in the United States Senate?

  1. A two-thirds majority vote.

  2. A simple majority vote.

  3. A unanimous consent vote.

  4. A vote of the President of the Senate.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In the United States Senate, a unanimous consent vote is required to suspend the rules.

What are the potential consequences of suspending the rules?

  1. It can lead to the passage of a bill that has not been properly vetted.

  2. It can prevent the minority party from having a say in the legislative process.

  3. It can undermine the integrity of the legislative process.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Suspending the rules can have a number of potential consequences, including the passage of a bill that has not been properly vetted, the prevention of the minority party from having a say in the legislative process, and the undermining of the integrity of the legislative process.

When is suspending the rules most likely to occur?

  1. At the end of a legislative session.

  2. During a filibuster.

  3. When a bill is considered to be urgent.

  4. When the majority party has a large majority.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Suspending the rules is most likely to occur when a bill is considered to be urgent, such as a bill that is necessary to address a national emergency.

What are some of the arguments in favor of suspending the rules?

  1. It can expedite the passage of a bill that is considered to be urgent.

  2. It can prevent a bill from being filibustered.

  3. It can allow for a more thorough debate on a bill.

  4. It can help to ensure that the majority party's agenda is passed.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

One of the main arguments in favor of suspending the rules is that it can expedite the passage of a bill that is considered to be urgent.

What are some of the arguments against suspending the rules?

  1. It can lead to the passage of a bill that has not been properly vetted.

  2. It can prevent the minority party from having a say in the legislative process.

  3. It can undermine the integrity of the legislative process.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There are a number of arguments against suspending the rules, including the fact that it can lead to the passage of a bill that has not been properly vetted, it can prevent the minority party from having a say in the legislative process, and it can undermine the integrity of the legislative process.

Is suspending the rules a common occurrence in the United States Congress?

  1. Yes.

  2. No.

  3. It depends on the circumstances.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The frequency of suspending the rules in the United States Congress varies depending on the circumstances. In some years, the rules are suspended dozens of times, while in other years they are suspended only a few times.

What are some of the most controversial instances of suspending the rules in the United States Congress?

  1. The suspension of the rules to pass the Affordable Care Act.

  2. The suspension of the rules to pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

  3. The suspension of the rules to pass the Patriot Act.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There have been a number of controversial instances of suspending the rules in the United States Congress, including the suspension of the rules to pass the Affordable Care Act, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and the Patriot Act.

What are some of the reforms that have been proposed to address the concerns about suspending the rules?

  1. Requiring a higher vote threshold to suspend the rules.

  2. Limiting the number of times the rules can be suspended in a session.

  3. Prohibiting the suspension of the rules on certain types of bills.

  4. All of the above.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

There have been a number of reforms proposed to address the concerns about suspending the rules, including requiring a higher vote threshold to suspend the rules, limiting the number of times the rules can be suspended in a session, and prohibiting the suspension of the rules on certain types of bills.

What is the future of suspending the rules in the United States Congress?

  1. It is likely to become more common.

  2. It is likely to become less common.

  3. It is likely to remain the same.

  4. It is impossible to say.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

It is impossible to say what the future of suspending the rules in the United States Congress will be. It is possible that it will become more common, it is possible that it will become less common, or it is possible that it will remain the same.

What are some of the other terms that are used to describe suspending the rules?

  1. Waiving the rules.

  2. Bypassing the rules.

  3. Ignoring the rules.

  4. Breaking the rules.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The term "waiving the rules" is often used to describe suspending the rules.

What is the difference between suspending the rules and overriding a veto?

  1. Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed without a vote, while overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority vote.

  2. Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed with a simple majority vote, while overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority vote.

  3. Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed with a two-thirds majority vote, while overriding a veto requires a simple majority vote.

  4. Suspending the rules and overriding a veto are the same thing.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed without a vote, while overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority vote.

What is the difference between suspending the rules and tabling a motion?

  1. Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed immediately, while tabling a motion prevents it from being considered.

  2. Suspending the rules prevents a bill from being considered, while tabling a motion allows it to be passed immediately.

  3. Suspending the rules and tabling a motion are the same thing.

  4. None of the above.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Suspending the rules allows a bill to be passed immediately, while tabling a motion prevents it from being considered.

- Hide questions