1) Congress passed (and President Obama recently signed) a bill that kept the country from going over the “fiscal cliff.” Part of the deal included an increased income tax rate for families making more than how much per year?
c) $450,000
The deal also included an increase of the dividend tax rate, the estate tax rate, the payroll tax rate, and an extension of unemployment benefits. The automatic spending cuts that were part of the fiscal cliff were delayed for two months.
https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/03/obama-signs-bill-warding-off-fiscal-cliff/
2) What two politicians were seen as the primary architects of the “fiscal cliff” bill?
d) Vice-President Joe Biden and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell
Biden and McConnell served in the Senate together for decades.
3) A new Congress was sworn in on January 3. What Congress is it?
c) 113th
The Senate includes 20 women, a new record. And for the first time, white men are in the minority in the House Democratic caucus.
https://www.cnn.com/2013/01/03/politics/new-congress/
4) Whom did the new House elect as their Speaker?
d) John Boehner
Boehner was reelected by a vote of 220-192, though some Republicans voted against him.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/03/us-usa-congress-boehner-idUSBRE9020LM20130103
5) One of the first bills approved by the new Congress provided $9 billion for what?
c) Aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy
The bill was supposed to have been voted on by the 112th Congress but, to the dismay of many on both sides of the aisle, was tabled after the vote on the fiscal cliff bill.
https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57562065/congress-passes-$9.7b-sandy-relief-bill/
6) What Democratic Senator has President Obama nominated to be the new Secretary of State?
c) John Kerry
Kerry is a former Democratic presidential nominee and is currently Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
https://www.cnn.com/2012/12/21/politics/kerry-nomination/index.html
7) According to a new U.N. report, how many people are estimated to have died in the recent Syrian conflict?
d) 60,000
The conflict began in March 2011.
https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/02/us-syria-crisis-idUSBRE8AJ1FK20130102
8) Egyptian voters approved a new constitution on December 25. What percentage of voters was in favor of the new constitution?
c) 64%
The new constitution has been criticized by liberals, leftists and Christians.
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/egyptians-fret-over-economy-rancorous-vote-constitution-125308309.html
9) Which of the following countries was recently found to have the happiest people in the world?
d) Panama
Paraguay tied Panama for first.
10) What school won college football’s national championship by winning the BCS Title Game?
a) University of Alabama
The Crimson Tide (13-1) defeated the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame (12-1) 42-14.