Chapter 7 – Congress Reading Comprehension Quiz Multiple Choice Questions 1. Gerrymandering occurs when the majority party A. supports benefits for blue-collar workers. B. promises to promote legislation for corporate interests. C. draws district lines to win as many districts as possible. D. rewrites legislation to provide pork for its districts. E. supports universal health care. Answer: C 2. Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents are A. franking privileges. B. earmarks. C. enumerated powers. D. tailgates. E. benchmarks. Answer: B 3. The process of changing the number of seats each state gets in the House is called A. realignment. B. gerrymandering. C. malapportionment. D. reapportionment. E. shuffling. Answer: D 4. The framers of the Constitution expected which to be the most important branch of government? A. Executive B. Legislative C. Judicial D. The Library of Congress E. Bureaucracy Answer: B 5. Who or what gives enumerated powers to Congress? A. The Constitution B. The president C. The Speaker of the House D. The Bill of Rights E. The Congress itself Answer: A 6. All of the following are true about the House of Representatives EXCEPT that A. legislators in the House serve two-year terms. B. there are 435 members of the House. C. policy specialists are common in the House. D. each state has forty members of the House. E. members must be at least twenty-five years old. Answer: D 7. The most notable of all the powers of the House is A. appointing members to committees. B. answering constituent mail. C. convicting and removing the president. D. to author all bills for raising revenues. E. the franking privilege. Answer: D 8. The party leader who acts as a liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature is the A. whip. B. majority leader. C. minority leader. D. speaker. E. committee. Answer: A 9. Which rule in the House of Representatives permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill? A. Closed rule B. Open rule C. Whip’s rule D. Majority rule E. Minority rule Answer: B 10. To override a presidential veto, ____________________ of both houses of Congress must vote to override the veto. A. two-thirds B. one-half C. three-quarters D. four-fifths E. 100 percent Answer: A 11. A bill can be forced to the floor of the House through a ____________________ petition signed by a majority of the membership. A. fast-track B. no-confidence C. discharge D. express E. multilane Answer: C 12. Legislators who base their votes on their analysis of the long-run welfare of the nation are playing a _____________ role. A. delegate B. pragmatic C. trustee D. pollster’s E. constituent responsive Answer: C 13. Norms that guide behavior in Congress A. have been entirely abandoned in recent years. B. have been increasingly ignored by new members of Congress. C. have stayed more or less the same over the years. D. are generally considered more important than ever. E. are strictly adhered to by new members of Congress, while older members tend to be more lax. Answer: B 14. Legislator Smith votes for a colleague’s bill with the expectation that the colleague will vote in turn for a measure favored by Legislator Smith. This practice is called A. quid pro quo. B. back scratching. C. logrolling. D. tit for tat. E. fair trade. Answer: C 15. Approximately what percentage of Americans had a favorable view of Congress in late 2009? A. 15 percent B. 25 percent C. 35 percent D. 45 percent E. 55 percent Answer: B True/False Questions 1. The redistricting process is controlled by the states. Answer: True 2. A safe seat is a district in which the current office holder or one party regularly wins. Answer: True 3. A bicameral legislature is divided into two houses or chambers. Answer: True 4. The Senate has the authority to charge, or impeach, the president. Answer: False 5. Majority leader is the highest leadership position in the House. Answer: False 6. It is a responsibility of congressional subcommittees to hold hearings. Answer: True 7. Floor action is the first step in the legislative process. Answer: False 8. About one-half of all bills introduced into Congress are passed. Answer: False 9. The House and Senate enforce rules through a joint ethics committee. Answer: False 10. Most legislators stick with one model of representation and consider all legislation through the lens of that model. Answer: False Chapter Examination Multiple Choice Questions 1. Members of Congress generally pay close attention to their constituents because A. they care about being reelected. B. the popularity of the president depends on it. C. the media force them to do so. D. the Supreme Court has ruled that they may not vote against constituent preferences on important legislation. E. the people can vote to override legislation. Answer: A 2. There are _____________ members in the House of Representatives. A. 100 B. 435 C. 270 D. 50 E. 535 Answer: B 3. There are _____________ members in the Senate. A. 50 B. 270 C. 435 D. 535 E. 100 Answer: E 4. The proportion of senators who are up for election at any one time is about A. one-fifth. B. one-third. C. one-half. D. two-thirds. E. one (all are up for election at the same time). Answer: B 5. Members of the House of Representatives are elected for ______________ -year terms. A. five B. four C. two D. six E. one Answer: C 6. The residents of a congressional district or state are called A. incumbents. B. citizens. C. lobbyists. D. constituents. E. activists. Answer: D 7. The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census is called A. gerrymandering. B. redistricting. C. reapportionment. D. reassignment. E. safe seats. Answer: C 8. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other is called a(n) A. incumbent advantage. B. sure bet. C. safe seat. D. party district. E. candidate’s dream. Answer: C 9. A friend of yours tells you that the district in which she lives has 85 percent of its residents registered as Republicans and that Republicans always win the House election from her district. This is an example of a A. candidate’s dream. B. reapportionment. C. party district. D. safe seat. E. sure bet. Answer: D 10. The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent is known as A. gerrymandering. B. redistricting. C. reapportionment. D. reassignment. E. franking. Answer: A 11. The process of redrawing legislative district lines following the census is called A. franking. B. redistricting. C. reapportionment. D. gerrymandering. E. reassignment. Answer: B 12. The right to apportion representatives among the states according to the population is the authority of the A. Constitution. B. Congress. C. president. D. state governments. E. Supreme Court. Answer: B 13. District lines for the House of Representatives are drawn by the authority of the A. president. B. Senate. C. House of Representatives. D. Supreme Court. E. state governments. Answer: E 14. The current holder of an elected office is called the A. challenger. B. gerrymander. C. incumbent. D. constituent. E. redistricted. Answer: C 15. John Smith is considering a run for the House of Representatives against Betty Jones, who currently holds the seat. In this case, Betty Jones is the A. redistricter. B. challenger. C. constituent. D. gerrymander. E. incumbent. Answer: E 16. Which of the following is an advantage held by incumbents in getting reelected? A. They can send free mail to their districts most of the time. B. They have high name recognition. C. They are able to help their constituents through earmark spending. D. They typically have more money than challengers. E. All of the above Answer: E 17. Special spending projects set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents are known as A. window dressing. B. gerrymandering. C. earmarks. D. franking privileges. E. incumbency advantages. Answer: C 18. Figure 7–1 shows that A. independents have been highly successful in recent congressional elections. B. the Democrats held more seats than the Republicans in the House and Senate following the 2004 elections. C. prior to 2000, independents held a majority of seats in the Senate. D. the vast majority of seats in Congress are held by members of the Democratic or Republican Parties. E. None of the above Answer: D 19. House seats are allocated on the basis of a national census conducted every ______________ years. A. five B. twenty C. ten D. three E. seven Answer: C 20. Each state has a minimum of ____________________ representative(s) in the House. A. five B. one C. two D. ten E. twelve Answer: B 21. James Madison was concerned about the “fickleness and passion” of which governmental body? A. The judiciary B. The Senate C. The House of Representatives D. The presidency E. The bureaucracy Answer: C 22. Compared to the Senate, the House of Representatives A. has more time for debate. B. has larger staffs for its members. C. receives more media coverage. D. has fewer members. E. has more rules governing it. Answer: E 23. When a legislature has two chambers, it is said to be A. split. B. inefficient. C. bicameral. D. divided. E. unicameral. Answer: C 24. The U.S. Congress has two chambers in its legislature. As a result, it is called a(n) ___________ legislature. A. bicameral B. split C. pluralistic D. unicameral E. divided Answer: A 25. Bicameral legislatures have _______ chamber(s). A. six B. two C. one D. unlimited E. zero Answer: B 26. Powers given explicitly to Congress in the Constitution are called A. enumerated powers. B. unlisted powers. C. elastic powers. D. expansive powers. E. implied powers. Answer: A 27. Which of the following is NOT an enumerated power of Congress? A. The power to tax and borrow money B. The power to regulate interstate commerce C. The power to create federal courts below the Supreme Court D. The power to declare war E. The power to rule state laws are unconstitutional Answer: E 28. The necessary and proper clause allows for ____________ powers. A. enumerated B. express C. influential D. implied E. iron Answer: D 29. The sole power of impeachment is given to the A. House of Representatives. B. Senate. C. Supreme Court. D. president and the cabinet. E. Judiciary Committee. Answer: A 30. The sole power to try an impeachment case is given to the A. House of Representatives. B. Senate. C. Supreme Court. D. justices of the various federal district courts. E. grand jury. Answer: B 31. Conviction of a public official on impeachment charges takes a __________ vote in the Senate. A. majority B. plurality C. unanimous D. five-sixths E. two-thirds Answer: E 32. The framers listed the power to _____________ in Article I of the Constitution. A. execute traitors B. declare war C. impeach the president D. collect taxes E. regulate interstate commerce Answer: D 33. The presiding officer in the House of Representatives is called the A. majority leader. B. Speaker. C. president of the House. D. caucus chair. E. leader pro tempore. Answer: B 34. The Speaker of the House is formally chosen by A. the Supreme Court. B. the president. C. the entire House. D. the Senate. E. the majority party in the House. Answer: C 35. The powers of the Speaker of the House include A. the power to make all appointments to standing committees. B. the power to set the rules of the House. C. the power to choose the minority party leader. D. the power to recognize members who rise to speak. E. the power to determine whether debate is subject to the closed or open rule. Answer: D 36. Which of the following is true regarding the Speaker of the House? A. The Speaker is always a member of the majority party. B. The Speaker is next in line to become president if the sitting president dies in office. C. The Speaker is formally chosen by the majority-party caucus. D. The Speaker can appoint all members of all committees in the House. E. The Speaker is the spokesperson for the minority party. Answer: A 37. A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy is called a A. party platform. B. party committee. C. party caucus. D. party meeting. E. party policy. Answer: C 38. The _______________________ is the legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line. A. whip B. majority representative C. president pro tempore D. Speaker E. majority leader Answer: E 39. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition is known as the A. opposition leader. B. minority leader. C. Speaker. D. minority mouthpiece. E. alternative leader. Answer: B 40. The _________ is the party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature. A. whip B. go-between C. page D. Speaker E. majority leader Answer: A 41. A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill is known as a(n) ___________ rule. A. unlimited B. inviting C. open D. whip E. leadership Answer: C 42. The committee that determines issues such as the number and kinds of floor amendments that will be allowed in the House of Representatives is the ____________ Committee. A. Legislative Procedures B. Billmaking C. Leadership D. Rules E. Conference Answer: D 43. Which of the following is true about the president pro tempore of the Senate? A. The president pro tempore is also the vice president of the United States. B. The president pro tempore is usually a junior member of the minority party. C. The president pro tempore almost always presides over the Senate. D. The president pro tempore is not permitted to be on any committees or cast any votes. E. None of the above Answer: E 44. When a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination it is called a(n) A. obstruction. B. hold. C. cloture. D. seniority rule. E. filibuster. Answer: B 45. A ________________ is a procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial measure. A. filibuster B. cloture C. hold D. special committee E. turnabout Answer: A 46. In the 1960s several members of the Senate who were very opposed to civil rights legislation held the floor of the Senate for many hours at a time trying to prevent votes on such legislation. This is an example of A. collectivism. B. majority rule. C. cloture. D. leadership. E. the filibuster. Answer: E 47. A procedure for terminating debate in the Senate is known as A. holding. B. proceeding. C. closing. D. cloture. E. filibustering. Answer: D 48. Which of the following is true about cloture? A. It is a practice used only in the House of Representatives. B. It requires a three-fifths vote to pass. C. It is a tactic for delaying votes in the Senate. D. It is provided for in the Constitution. E. It has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Answer: B 49. Which of the following is a way in which we see the role of individualism in the Senate? A. The power of party leaders B. The authority of the Rules Committee C. The use of holds and filibusters D. The lack of a standing committee system E. The refusal to participate in conference committees Answer: C 50. A ___________ committee is a permanent congressional committee typically focusing on a policy area. A. substantive B. standing C. conference D. representative E. joint Answer: B 51. A congressional committee with members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate is known as a(n) A. special or select committee. B. standing committee. C. joint committee. D. oversight committee. E. leadership committee. Answer: C 52. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation, is called a(n) A. investigative committee. B. joint committee. C. standing committee. D. oversight committee. E. special or select committee. Answer: E 53. The House Agriculture Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, and the House Budget Committee are all examples of A. standing committees. B. joint committees. C. conference committees. D. special committees. E. pork barrel committees. Answer: A 54. Committees that make decisions about how much money government will spend on its programs and operations are called ____________ committees. A. authorizing B. secret C. monetary D. rules and administration E. appropriations Answer: E 55. Committees that determine the basic operations of the congressional chambers are known as A. watchdog committees. B. authorizing committees. C. special committees. D. rules and administration committees. E. appropriations committees. Answer: D 56. Revenue and budget committees A. determine the basic operations of the congressional chambers. B. pass the laws that tell government what to do. C. deal with raising the money to be spent by the government. D. make decisions about how much money government will spend on its programs and operations. E. All of the above Answer: C 57. The legislative practice that assigns the chair of a committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority part with the longest continuous service on the committee is known as the A. majority empowerment act. B. anti–age discrimination practice. C. authority of wisdom. D. incumbent protection plan. E. seniority rule. Answer: E 58. A ________ committee is a special joint committee with the task of settling differences between House and Senate versions of bills. A. conference B. task force C. leadership D. standing E. rules Answer: A 59. The Senate and House recently passed bills appropriating different amounts of funding for infrastructure projects. To reconcile the differences, the chambers decide to appoint members from each chamber to meet and come up with some compromise. This is an example of A. protracted negotiation. B. a standing committee. C. majority dominance. D. a conference committee. E. the seniority rule. Answer: D 60. Which of the following is NOT a function of a party caucus? A. Approve committee assignments B. Elect party officers C. Pass legislation D. All of the above E. None of the above Answer: C 61. In the Senate, the committee responsible for each party’s overall legislative program is called the ____________ committee. A. policy B. strategy C. direction D. ways-and-means E. lead Answer: A 62. The most powerful leader on Capitol Hill is the A. majority leader of the Senate. B. Speaker of the House. C. majority leader of the House. D. president pro tempore of the Senate. E. executive chief of staff. Answer: B 63. The Speaker of the House’s principal assistant is the A. chair of the Speaker’s political party. B. majority whip. C. chair of the Rules Committee. D. majority leader. E. party intern. Answer: D 64. Which of the following is NOT a way in which a bill can die before becoming a law? A. The Speaker of the House can refuse to give the bill to a committee. B. A majority of the Senate can reject the bill. C. The president can use his executive privilege. D. The House appropriations subcommittee can refuse to provide money for the bill. E. All of the above Answer: C 65. Which of the following is NOT one of the four broad steps in the lawmaking process? A. Introduction B. Floor debate and passage C. Committee review D. Judicial evaluation E. Presidential approval Answer: D 66. When a majority of the members of the House of Representatives sign a __________, a bill stuck in committee must be released for floor consideration. A. removal order B. continuation proposal C. discharge petition D. call for judicial review E. presidential summons Answer: C 67. Most bills die A. in committee. B. on the floor of the Senate. C. through presidential vetoes. D. after careful consideration in committee and lengthy floor debates. E. by being introduced improperly. Answer: A 68. A provision attached to a bill, whether relevant to the bill or not, designed to secure its passage or defeat is known as a A. co-pilot. B. rider. C. hitchhiker. D. backbencher. E. backseat driver. Answer: B 69. If the president does NOT sign a bill within ten days of receiving it and Congress is still in session, the bill A. returns to Congress for another vote by both chambers. B. becomes law. C. must be reintroduced. D. dies through a pocket veto. E. goes to the Supreme Court for action. Answer: B 70. If the president does not sign a bill within ten days of receiving it and Congress has adjourned, the bill A. must be reintroduced. B. returns to Congress for another vote by both chambers. C. goes to the Supreme Court for action. D. dies through a pocket veto. E. becomes law. Answer: D 71. Bills that do NOT pass both chambers by the end of a two-year Congress must A. undergo an inactivity rider. B. be reintroduced at the start of the next Congress. C. be subjected to committee review. D. undergo judicial override. E. become law. Answer: B 72. For Congress to override a presidential veto, ________ of the House and _________ of the Senate must vote to do so. A. two-thirds; two-thirds B. one-half; two-thirds C. one-half; one-half D. two-thirds; three-quarters E. three-quarters; three-quarters Answer: A 73. The ___________ interpretation of the role of the legislator says officials should represent the views of constituents even when they personally hold different views. A. trustee B. co-pilot C. delegate D. flip-flop E. idealist Answer: C 74. The ___________ interpretation of the role of the legislator says officials should vote independently based on their judgments of circumstances. A. trustee B. maverick C. leadership D. delegate E. socialist Answer: A 75. The vast majority of bills introduced each year in Congress A. become law by the end of the year. B. are vetoed by the president. C. pass the House but not the Senate. D. never reach the floor of either chamber. E. pass the Senate but not the House. Answer: D 76. The practice of mutual aid and vote trading among legislators is called A. back scratching. B. horse trading. C. logrolling. D. bargaining. E. deal making. Answer: C 77. Citizens who follow public affairs closely are known as the A. interested individuals. B. attentive public. C. party faithful. D. activist corps. E. irrational residents. Answer: B 78. Which of the following is least likely to influence votes by members of Congress on controversial legislation? A. Constituent preferences B. Interest groups C. Colleagues D. Their ideology E. State legislatures Answer: E 79. Which of the following is NOT a way in which interest groups influence the legislative process? A. Holding leadership positions in Congress B. Lobbying C. Making contributions to congressional campaigns D. Testifying before committees E. Providing information to legislative staff Answer: A 80. Under the Constitution, ____________________ is responsible for setting rules for ethical conduct by House and Senate members. A. the president B. the Justice Department C. the judiciary D. Congress E. the bureaucracy Answer: D 81. When a member of Congress votes with a colleague with the expectation that the colleague will later vote for a measure about which the member is concerned it is called A. deal making. B. logrolling. C. cloture. D. franking. E. earmarking. Answer: B 82. Interest groups are almost always more effective when they A. ignore Congress. B. protest. C. air television ads. D. mobilize public pressure on members of Congress. E. None of the above Answer: D 83. Given the busy schedules of most members of Congress, their jobs require that they have a strong and effective A. media consultant. B. spouse. C. staff. D. co-member. E. pollster. Answer: C 84. Which of the following is NOT a possible penalty faced by members of Congress who violate ethics rules? A. Censure B. Suspension C. Expulsion D. Imprisonment E. Reprimand Answer: B 85. Members of Congress are allowed to accept which of the following from lobbyists? A. Free admission to conventions where admission is free to other members B. Gifts or meals C. Travel expenses unrelated to their official duties as members of Congress D. Payment for making a speech E. None of the above Answer: A 86. The idea that incumbents campaign constantly to stay in office is called the A. everlasting campaign. B. permanent campaign. C. forever campaign. D. money drive. E. support drive. Answer: B 87. In recent years, public approval of Congress has A. been increasing. B. been declining. C. remained the same. D. increased for the past five years more than decreased. E. decreased for the past five years more than increased. Answer: B True/False Questions 1. In general, members of Congress want to be re-elected. Answer: True 2. There are 435 members in the House of Representatives. Answer: True 3. The residents of a congressional district or state are called constituents. Answer: True 4. The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census is called redistricting. Answer: False 5. An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other is called a sure bet. Answer: False 6. Gerrymandering is the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent. Answer: True 7. The current holder of an elected office is called the incumbent. Answer: True 8. House incumbents typically have a difficult time getting re-elected. Answer: False 9. Earmarks are special spending projects set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents. Answer: True 10. States have the power to determine the number of House districts they get. Answer: False 11. There are 100 members in the House. Answer: False 12. Senate seats are considered more vulnerable than House seats. Answer: True 13. Each House district has roughly 650,000 to 700,000 people in it. Answer: True 14. The minimum size of any congressional delegation per state is three. Answer: True 15. The framers expected the judiciary to be the most important branch of government. Answer: False 16. Bicameralism is the most important organizational feature of the U.S. Congress. Answer: True 17. Unicameralism is the basic principle of a two-chamber legislature. Answer: False 18. The power to declare war is an enumerated power of Congress. Answer: True 19. The necessary and proper clause is also known as the iron clause. Answer: False 20. The framers saw the legislative branch as the most important and powerful branch of government. Answer: True 21. Federal judges are nominated by the president and appointed to their positions with the advice and consent of the Senate. Answer: True 22. Impeachment requires a two-thirds vote in the House. Answer: False 23. The House has the responsibility to conduct a trial to determine the president’s guilt or innocence. Answer: False 24. The Constitution created a unicameral legislature. Answer: False 25. The Speaker of the House is formally chosen by the entire House. Answer: True 26. A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy is called a party platform. Answer: False 27. The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition is known as the minority mouthpiece. Answer: False 28. The party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature is called a congressional page. Answer: False 29. A closed rule is a procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments. Answer: True 30. A cloture is a procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial measure. Answer: False 31. A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation, is called a special or select committee. Answer: True 32. A congressional committee with members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate is known as a joint committee. Answer: True 33. Committees that make decisions about how much money government will spend on its programs and operations are called monetary committees. Answer: False 34. The Speaker of the House is usually selected on a vote by the majority-party caucus. Answer: True 35. The majority floor leader is an officer only of his party. Answer: True 36. A Senate right to unlimited debate is called a filibuster, which can be subject to cloture. Answer: True 37. Majority whip is the highest leadership position in the Senate. Answer: False 38. The vice president of the United States is the presiding officer in the Senate. Answer: True 39. A rider is a provision attached to a bill, whether relevant to the bill or not, designed to secure its passage or defeat. Answer: True 40. The vast majority of the bills introduced every two years in both chambers are killed. Answer: True 41. A discharge petition, if signed by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration. Answer: True 42. If Congress has adjourned and the president waits ten days without signing a bill, he is using a pocket veto of that bill. Answer: True 43. It is a responsibility of congressional subcommittees to mark up any bill. Answer: True 44. The delegate interpretation of the role of the legislator says officials should represent the views of constituents even when they personally hold different views. Answer: True 45. The delegate interpretation of the role of the legislator says officials should vote independently based on their judgments of circumstances. Answer: False 46. Logrolling refers to the practice of mutual aid and vote trading among legislators. Answer: True 47. Citizens who follow public affairs closely are called the activist corps. Answer: False 48. Trustees are expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views. Answer: False 49. Being a member of Congress is a part-time job. Answer: False 50. Ethics rules have been strengthened in recent years. Answer: True 51. One of the most important tools that a president wields in an attempt to influence Congress is the ability to distribute government resources to his or her friends. Answer: True 52. Compared to fifty years ago, new members of Congress are increasingly reluctant to introduce legislation or resist the leadership of senior members. Answer: False 53. Standards of ethical behavior in Congress have probably risen in recent decades. Answer: True 54. Congress has a split personality. On the one hand, it is a lawmaking institution. On the other hand, it is a representative assembly. Answer: True 55. Members of Congress mostly hear from the attentive public, citizens who follow public affairs carefully. Answer: True 56. Censure represents the most severe form of punishment available. Answer: False 57. Some observers suggest that a major obstacle to legislative action is the fact that members of Congress are seemingly involved in a permanent campaign. Answer: True Short Answer Questions 1. Define redistricting and describe how and when it occurs. Answer: Redistricting is the process of redrawing congressional district boundaries to reflect population changes from the census, which occurs every ten years. It ensures equal representation based on updated population data. 2. Define gerrymandering and explain its implications for congressional elections. Answer: Gerrymandering is the manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular party or group, which can skew electoral outcomes and undermine fair representation. 3. Identify the major advantages held by incumbents in congressional elections. Answer: Incumbents benefit from established name recognition, easier access to campaign funds, and greater experience in navigating the political system, which enhances their re-election prospects. 4. Define reapportionment and describe how and when it occurs. Answer: Reapportionment is the redistribution of congressional seats among states based on the decennial census results, affecting how many representatives each state has in the House of Representatives. 5. Explain the framers’ expectations regarding the place of Congress in the government. Answer: The framers envisioned Congress as a deliberative body that would balance the interests of different states and ensure representative governance through its two chambers. 6. Define bicameralism and explain its significance for the U.S. Congress. Answer: Bicameralism divides Congress into the House and Senate, providing a system of checks and balances that ensures both population-based and equal state representation in the legislative process. 7. Identify four major enumerated powers of Congress. Answer: Four major enumerated powers of Congress are: levying and collecting taxes, regulating interstate and foreign commerce, declaring war, and raising and supporting armies. 8. Identify three of the differences between the House and the Senate. Answer: Differences between the House and Senate include: terms (2 years for House, 6 years for Senate), method of election (House members elected by districts, Senators by entire states), and exclusive powers (House initiates revenue bills, Senate ratifies treaties). 9. Who is the leader of the House and how is this individual chosen? Answer: The leader of the House is the Speaker of the House, chosen by a majority vote of the members of the House of Representatives. 10. Identify the leadership positions in the House of Representatives. Answer: Leadership positions in the House of Representatives include the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, and Whips. 11. Define filibusters and explain their significance in the Senate. Answer: A filibuster is a prolonged debate in the Senate used to delay or block legislative action, requiring a supermajority to end (invoke cloture). 12. Define conference committee and explain the role of conference committees in the legislative process. Answer: A conference committee reconciles differences between House and Senate versions of a bill, crafting a final version for both chambers to approve. 13. Identify four different types of committees that exist in Congress. Answer: Four types of committees in Congress are: Standing Committees, Select Committees, Joint Committees, and Conference Committees. 14. Identify four standing committees. Answer: Four standing committees are: Ways and Means, Appropriations, Judiciary, and Foreign Affairs. 15. Identify the process for choosing committee members and their chairs. Answer: Committee members and chairs are chosen based on party affiliation and seniority within each party, with the majority party typically holding the majority of committee seats and selecting chairs. 16. Identify the main steps in the process of a bill becoming a law. Answer: Main steps in a bill becoming a law: Introduction, Committee Review, Floor Debate, Voting, Second Chamber Review, Conference Committee, and Presidential Approval. 17. Define the delegate and trustee interpretations of representation and identify which method members of Congress follow in which circumstances. Answer: Delegate representation follows constituents' direct preferences, while trustee representation involves making decisions based on personal judgment. Members may use delegate methods in election-focused scenarios and trustee methods on complex issues. 18. Identify three main factors influencing the votes of members of Congress on controversial issues. Answer: Three factors influencing Congressional votes: constituent opinions, party leadership and ideology, and interest group pressures. Essay Questions 1. Evaluate four advantages held by incumbents in congressional elections. Answer: Advantages Held by Incumbents in Congressional Elections: 1. Name Recognition: Incumbents benefit from established name recognition due to their time in office and past media coverage, making them more familiar to voters compared to challengers. 2. Fundraising Abilities: Incumbents typically have easier access to campaign finance through established networks of donors and political action committees (PACs), giving them a significant financial advantage in running their campaigns. 3. Constituent Services: Incumbents can leverage their position to provide services and address concerns for their constituents, such as securing federal funds or assisting with bureaucratic issues, which helps build voter loyalty. 4. Experience and Track Record: Their previous legislative achievements and experience in office contribute to a track record that can be highlighted during campaigns, demonstrating their effectiveness and reliability to voters. 2. Evaluate the use of earmarks in the U.S. Congress. Answer: Use of Earmarks in the U.S. Congress: Earmarks are provisions that direct specific funds to particular projects or localities, often inserted into larger bills. Advantages: They allow legislators to secure funding for projects in their districts, which can help address local needs and boost their re-election chances by demonstrating tangible benefits. Problems: Earmarks can contribute to increased federal spending and promote political favoritism. They sometimes lead to accusations of pork-barrel spending, where funds are allocated more for political gain than for substantive policy needs. Critics argue that earmarks can incentivize legislators to include unnecessary projects in legislation, contributing to budgetary inefficiencies and contributing to broader issues of government waste and corruption. Despite these criticisms, earmarks have been reinstated in recent years, reflecting their continued role in legislative negotiations and constituent services. 3. James Madison said “in order to control the legislative authority, you must divide it.” Evaluate this statement with regard to the framers’ expectations regarding Congress and decisions regarding the structure of Congress. Answer: James Madison’s statement, “in order to control the legislative authority, you must divide it,” reflects the framers' intent to create a balanced and effective legislative branch by employing the principle of separation of powers. The framers recognized the potential dangers of a single, unchecked legislative body, which could lead to tyranny or ineffective governance. To address this concern, the Constitution established a bicameral legislature, dividing Congress into the House of Representatives and the Senate. This structure was designed to balance the representation of both populous and less populous states and ensure that different interests were considered in the legislative process. The House, with its members elected every two years, represents the population and responds quickly to shifts in public opinion. The Senate, with its longer terms and equal representation for states, provides stability and continuity. This division was meant to prevent any single faction or interest from dominating the legislative process, ensuring that laws required broad consensus and careful deliberation. By creating two distinct chambers with different methods of election and terms, the framers aimed to control legislative power through checks and balances, thereby enhancing the legislative branch’s effectiveness while safeguarding against potential abuses. 4. What are the major enumerated powers of Congress, and why did the framers also provide for implied powers for Congress? Answer: Major Enumerated Powers of Congress and the Rationale for Implied Powers: The enumerated powers of Congress are explicitly listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution and include the authority to levy and collect taxes, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, declare war, and raise and support armies. These powers were designed to enable Congress to address specific, essential functions needed for national governance and to provide for the common defense and welfare. The framers also provided for implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18), which grants Congress the authority to enact laws required to execute its enumerated powers effectively. This provision was included to ensure that Congress could adapt to unforeseen challenges and evolving needs beyond those explicitly mentioned. It allows for flexibility and the capability to address issues that were not anticipated at the time of drafting the Constitution, ensuring the legislative branch could remain effective and responsive over time. 5. Evaluate the differences between the House and Senate with regard to length of terms, method of election, and powers. Answer: Differences Between the House and Senate: 1. Length of Terms: Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms, which makes them more responsive to the electorate’s immediate concerns and changes in public opinion. Senators serve six-year terms, providing greater stability and allowing them to focus on longer-term issues without the pressure of frequent re-election. 2. Method of Election: House members are elected directly by their districts within states, leading to representation based on population. Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures (changed to direct election by the 17th Amendment), representing entire states equally regardless of population, which balances interests between populous and less populous states. 3. Powers: The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and impeach federal officials, reflecting its closer ties to the electorate and its role in controlling the purse. The Senate has the exclusive power to ratify treaties, confirm presidential appointments, and try impeached officials, providing a check on the executive branch and ensuring more deliberate consideration of foreign and high-level appointments. 6. Who are the major leaders in the House of Representatives, and how do they influence the actions of the House? Answer: Major Leaders in the House of Representatives: 1. Speaker of the House: The Speaker is the chief officer of the House and holds significant influence over the legislative agenda. They control floor debates, appoint committee chairs, and set legislative priorities, essentially shaping the direction of House proceedings. 2. Majority Leader: The Majority Leader assists the Speaker in managing the legislative agenda for the majority party. They help coordinate party strategy, secure votes, and guide bills through the legislative process. 3. Minority Leader: The Minority Leader represents the interests of the minority party, providing an alternative perspective and mobilizing opposition to the majority party’s agenda. They also play a key role in negotiating bipartisan agreements. 4. Whips: Both Majority and Minority Whips assist their respective leaders by ensuring party discipline and counting votes. They play a critical role in gathering support for legislation and managing party cohesion. These leaders influence House actions by directing legislative priorities, managing debates, and ensuring party discipline, which affects the passage and shaping of legislation. 7. Evaluate the significance of the increased diversity of Congress. Answer: Significance of Increased Diversity in Congress: The increased diversity in Congress is significant for several reasons: 1. Representation: A more diverse Congress better reflects the demographic makeup of the United States, ensuring that various racial, ethnic, and gender groups have a voice in the legislative process. This can lead to more comprehensive and inclusive policymaking. 2. Policy Impact: Diverse perspectives contribute to a broader range of policy ideas and solutions, potentially addressing issues that were previously overlooked. This can enhance the responsiveness of Congress to the needs of a more varied constituency. 3. Political Engagement: Increased diversity can inspire greater political engagement and participation among underrepresented groups, fostering a more representative and engaged electorate. 4. Legitimacy and Trust: A Congress that mirrors the nation’s diversity may strengthen public trust and legitimacy, as citizens are more likely to feel that their government understands and addresses their concerns. Overall, diversity in Congress enriches the legislative process and promotes more equitable and representative governance. 8. Identify three types of committees that exist in Congress and evaluate the roles of committees in the legislative process. Answer: Types of Committees in Congress and Their Roles: 1. Standing Committees: These are permanent committees that handle specific areas of legislation, such as the House Ways and Means Committee or the Senate Judiciary Committee. They conduct hearings, review bills, and make recommendations on legislation within their jurisdiction. Their role is crucial as they perform the initial and detailed examination of proposed laws, shaping and refining legislation before it reaches the floor for debate. 2. Select Committees: These are temporary committees established to address specific issues or conduct investigations, such as the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. They gather information, conduct investigations, and make recommendations but do not usually draft legislation. Their role is significant for focusing attention on particular issues and providing specialized oversight. 3. Conference Committees: Formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill, these committees include members from both chambers. They negotiate and draft a unified version of the bill, which then must be approved by both the House and Senate. Their role ensures that both chambers agree on the final text of legislation, facilitating the passage of bills that can become law. 9. Evaluate the process of how a bill becomes a law. Answer: Process of How a Bill Becomes a Law: 1. Introduction: A bill is introduced in either the House or the Senate, where it is assigned to a relevant committee for review. 2. Committee Review: The committee examines the bill, holds hearings, and may make amendments before reporting it to the full chamber. 3. Floor Debate: The bill is debated on the floor of the House or Senate, where further amendments may be made. 4. Vote: The bill is voted on by the chamber where it originated. If passed, it moves to the other chamber, where the process is repeated. 5. Conference Committee: If there are differences between the House and Senate versions, a conference committee resolves these differences and produces a final version. 6. Presidential Approval: The final bill is sent to the President. The President can sign it into law, veto it, or take no action (in which case it becomes law if Congress is in session or is pocket-vetoed if Congress is adjourned). This process ensures that bills are thoroughly reviewed and debated, reflecting multiple perspectives before becoming law. 10. Identify the major steps in the lawmaking process and the ways in which bills can be stopped at each step. Answer: Major Steps in the Lawmaking Process and How Bills Can Be Stopped: 1. Introduction: A bill is introduced in either the House or Senate. Stopping Point: Bills can be stalled if they are not sponsored or if they lack initial support. 2. Committee Review: The bill is assigned to a committee for detailed examination. Stopping Point: Committees can kill a bill by not acting on it or voting to reject it. They may also amend it significantly, altering its original intent. 3. Floor Debate: The bill is debated on the floor of the originating chamber. Stopping Point: It can be stopped if it fails to gain majority support during the debate or if it is subjected to a filibuster or other procedural delays. 4. Vote: The bill is voted on by the chamber where it was introduced. Stopping Point: It can be defeated by a simple majority vote or if members are absent, reducing the quorum. 5. Second Chamber Review: The bill is sent to the other chamber (House or Senate) for consideration. Stopping Point: It can be stopped at any stage in this chamber, similar to the originating chamber. 6. Conference Committee: If there are differences between the two chambers’ versions, a conference committee resolves them. Stopping Point: The bill can be blocked if the committee cannot reach an agreement or if the revised bill is rejected by either chamber. 7. Presidential Approval: The final bill is sent to the President. Stopping Point: The President can veto the bill, which can only be overridden by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of Congress. 11. Assess the effect of the two different forms of representation on citizen engagement. Answer: Each step has built-in mechanisms to scrutinize, debate, and, if necessary, halt a bill, ensuring only those with broad support advance to become law. Effect of Two Forms of Representation on Citizen Engagement: 1. Delegate Representation: Representatives act directly on the preferences of their constituents, making their actions more responsive to public opinion. This can enhance citizen engagement by ensuring that elected officials' actions closely reflect voter desires, potentially increasing voter interest and participation in the political process. 2. Trustee Representation: Representatives use their judgment to make decisions on behalf of their constituents, even if these decisions may not align with immediate public opinion. This approach can lead to citizen disengagement if voters feel their concerns are not directly addressed or understood, potentially reducing their overall involvement in politics. In summary, delegate representation tends to foster more direct engagement by aligning closely with voter preferences, while trustee representation may require more trust in elected officials' decisions, which can influence how actively citizens participate in the political process. 12. Evaluate the factors that influence decisions by members of Congress on controversial issues. Answer: Factors Influencing Congressional Decisions on Controversial Issues: 1. Constituent Opinion: Members of Congress often consider the preferences and interests of their constituents, especially on high-profile or controversial issues, to secure re-election and maintain public support. 2. Party Alignment: Congressional decisions are significantly influenced by party loyalty and the party’s stance on issues. Party leadership and ideology shape how members vote and align their positions with party platforms. 3. Interest Groups and Lobbyists: The influence of interest groups and lobbyists, who provide campaign contributions, information, and advocacy, can sway members' decisions by highlighting the potential impact on specific sectors or constituencies. 4. Personal Beliefs and Values: Members’ personal convictions and ethical considerations play a role in their decision-making, especially on moral or ethical issues where personal judgment is pivotal. 5. Political Strategy: Considerations related to re-election prospects, including the potential impact of votes on upcoming elections or primaries, can drive how members position themselves on controversial issues. These factors interact in complex ways, shaping how members of Congress approach and vote on controversial issues, balancing personal, political, and public interests. 13. Assess the nature of congressional ethics and policing of ethics rules. Who determines and enforces ethics rules? Answer: Nature of Congressional Ethics and Enforcement: Congressional ethics are designed to ensure that members uphold standards of conduct, transparency, and accountability. Each chamber has its own set of ethics rules and committees to oversee adherence to these standards: 1. Ethics Committees: Both the House and Senate have ethics committees (the House Committee on Ethics and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics) responsible for reviewing complaints, investigating alleged violations, and providing guidance on ethical behavior. These committees play a critical role in interpreting and enforcing rules. 2. Self-Regulation: Members of Congress are largely responsible for policing their own conduct, with the ethics committees providing oversight and adjudication. This system aims to ensure accountability while allowing Congress to maintain control over its internal affairs. 3. Enforcement and Sanctions: If violations are found, ethics committees can recommend sanctions, including censure, fines, or expulsion, depending on the severity of the breach. The final decisions on disciplinary actions are made by the full chamber. While this system of self-regulation allows Congress to maintain its autonomy, it has been criticized for potential conflicts of interest and the perceived leniency in enforcement, leading to ongoing debates about the effectiveness and impartiality of congressional ethics oversight. 14. Define the permanent campaign and assess its significance for the functioning of Congress. Does this increase or decrease the likelihood of them being effective representatives for their constituents and the nation?. Answer: Permanent Campaign Definition and Its Impact on Congress: The permanent campaign refers to the continuous process of political campaigning and electoral activity that extends beyond election cycles. This phenomenon occurs as members of Congress focus consistently on maintaining visibility, fundraising, and responding to voter concerns to ensure their re-election, rather than solely concentrating on legislative duties. Significance for Congress: 1. Constant Fundraising: The need for ongoing fundraising to support re-election efforts can divert time and resources away from legislative work. Members may prioritize donor interests over public policy, potentially skewing representation. 2. Short-Term Focus: The emphasis on immediate electoral concerns often leads to a short-term perspective, where legislators prioritize issues that will yield quick political gains rather than long-term policy solutions. This can impact the quality and depth of legislative work. 3. Increased Accountability: On the positive side, constant voter engagement can keep members accountable to their constituents, ensuring that their actions are aligned with public preferences. Effectiveness as Representatives: Increased Likelihood: The permanent campaign can enhance responsiveness to voter concerns, making representatives more attuned to their constituents' needs and preferences. Decreased Likelihood: Conversely, the focus on re-election can undermine effective governance by prioritizing political survival over substantive legislative achievements, thereby reducing the overall effectiveness of representatives in addressing complex national issues. In summary, while the permanent campaign can increase responsiveness to constituents, it may also detract from effective governance and legislative productivity, presenting a trade-off between political accountability and the capacity for effective representation. Test Bank for Government by the People David B. Magleby, Paul C. Light, Christine L. Nemacheck 9780205073245, 9780134732831
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