1) On Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). What Justice wrote the majority opinion?
d) Chief Justice John Roberts
The Court held – by a 5-4 vote – that the “individual mandate” portion of the act, which requires almost all Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty tax, was a valid exercise of Congress’ taxing power. The Court did, however, strike down the law’s attempt to coerce states into expanding their Medicare programs.
2) What member of President Obama’s cabinet was held in contempt by the House of Representatives last week?
a) Attorney General Eric Holder
The contempt measure relates to Holder’s refusal to turn over documents related to a Justice Department operation that allowed certain guns into Mexico. Some of those guns were found at the murder scene of an American border patrol agent.
https://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/28/politics/holder-contempt/index.html
3) Last week, Congress agreed on a one-year extension of what?
b) A 3.4% interest rate on federally subsidized student loans
The rate on the loans was set to double on July 1 until passage of the extension.
https://money.cnn.com/2012/06/29/pf/college/student-loans/index.htm
4) According to preliminary results, who won Sunday’s presidential election in Mexico?
c) Enrique Pena Nieto
Pena’s party – the PRI – ruled Mexico for most of the 20th century but has not held the presidency since 2000. The final results will be announced later this week.
5) Jerry Sandusky was recently found guilty of 45 counts of sexual abuse of minors. Sandusky was formerly a football coach at what university?
c) Penn State University
Sandusky will be sentenced in about 90 days and is expected to spend the rest of his life in jail.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/jerry-sandusky-found-guilty-45-48-sex-abuse/story?id=16623842
6) What California city declared bankruptcy last week?
d) Stockton
Stockton was hit particularly hard by the collapse of the housing market in 2008.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/27/stockton-california-bankruptcy_n_1629390.html
7) What city recently announced that it will start issuing “tickets” to those caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana?
b) Chicago, Illinois
Mayor Rahm Emmanuel, formerly Pres. Obama’s Chief of Staff, believes the move will save the city money and allow its law enforcement officials to focus on more serious crimes.
8) The Food and Drug Administration recently approved use of the drug Belviq. What is Belviq designed to do?
b) Promote long term weight loss
The FDA rejected the drug in 2010 but came to a different conclusion this year.
9) What celebrity couple announced that they are divorcing?
c) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes
The couple married in 2006.
https://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/29/showbiz/cruise-holmes-split/index.html
10) What country won the Euro 2012 soccer tournament?
a) Spain
Spain defeated Italy 4-0 in the final. Spain has now won the last three major international tournaments it has entered: Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012.
https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/01/sport/football/euro-2012-spain-italy-final/index.html