Question 1

The textbook introduces the idea of the electoral connection, in which the behavior of members of Congress is understood relative to their desire to be reelected. Explain the three types of behavior we observe in Congress because of the electoral connection, providing examples of each one. How does the electoral connection affect the Congress as a whole?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The textbook introduces the idea of the...

Question 2

What is a pocket veto?

Accepted Answer

A pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns within ten days, resulting in the bill's automatic death. It is called a "pocket veto" because the president "puts it in their pocket" and essentially ignores the bill until it dies.

Question 3

Which of the following has NOT been suggested as a means of congressional reform?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the size of the House of Representatives has not been widely suggested or proposed as a means of congressional reform. While other options such as campaign finance, term limits, giving the Speaker more power, or changing the filibuster have been debated and discussed extensively, reducing the size of the House is not seen as a major priority or solution to current issues with Congress.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a way for Congress to engage in oversight of the bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Suspending rules is not a way for Congress to engage in oversight of the bureaucracy. The other options listed, holding hearings, conducting investigations, limiting or cutting appropriations, and interviewing members of the bureaucracy, are all examples of ways that Congress can oversee the actions of the bureaucracy.

Question 5

The Livestock, Rural Development, and Credit Subcommittee of the House Agriculture Committee meets to determine the final language of a bill on regulations affecting livestock in the United States. This process is an example of what?

Accepted Answer

This process is an example of a markup, which is the process by which a congressional committee or subcommittee debates, amends, and rewrites proposed legislation.

Question 6

When a bill comes to the floor of the House under ________, it cannot be amended.

Accepted Answer

Closed rules do not allow for amendments to be made to a bill on the House floor.

Question 7

The ________ process limits the amount of money that could be spent on a bill, but the ________ process determines how much money is actually assigned to be spent.

Accepted Answer

The authorization process sets the maximum amount of money that can be spent on a bill, while the appropriation process allocates the actual funds to be spent.

Question 8

Congress passes a bill banning the use of cell phones while driving. The bill passes both chambers in the last week before the session ends for the year. The president does not sign the bill and because of this it does not become a law. This is an example of a(n):

Accepted Answer

This is a pocket veto because the president did not sign the bill within the 10-day window when Congress is not in session, so it does not become a law.

Question 9

A vote of ________ will limit the amount of time spent debating a bill in the Senate.

Accepted Answer

Cloture is the procedure used in the Senate to end a debate and requires a vote of 60 senators. Once cloture is invoked, there is a limited amount of time for debate on the bill. This is done to prevent filibustering and ensure that bills can be passed efficiently. None of the other options listed specifically limit the amount of time spent debating a bill in the Senate.

Question 10

All of the following describe omnibus legislation EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A supermajority is not necessarily required for passage in both houses for omnibus legislation. Omnibus bills are often used to combine various smaller bills into one larger piece of legislation, making it easier to pass through Congress. Leadership task forces may be used in place of committees and creative strategies are often used to guide the bill to passage. The inclusion of pork-barrel projects is also a common feature of omnibus legislation.

Question 11

What is a filibuster?

Accepted Answer

A filibuster is a parliamentary procedure where a senator continues to speak, often for hours or even days, in order to delay or prevent a vote on a bill. The senator does not stop speaking until the majority gives up or compromises on the issue being debated, hence preventing a vote on the bill.

Question 12

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act eliminate?

Accepted Answer

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (also known as the McCain-Feingold Act) eliminated the ability of political parties and candidates to raise and spend unregulated "soft money" contributions, which had previously been used to support issues or candidates indirectly through advertising and other means. It did not eliminate campaign contribution limits or term limits, and only placed limits on certain types of campaign spending.

Question 13

A vote of cloture requires approval by how many senators?

Accepted Answer

A vote of cloture requires the approval of 60 senators in order to end a filibuster and move forward with a vote on a bill or nomination. This is known as a filibuster-proof majority. Without 60 votes in favor of cloture, debate on the issue can continue indefinitely.

Question 14

What are the norms that guide behavior in Congress? Give an example of at least two of these norms. Do the norms seem to be strengthening (as in, more members are following them) or weakening over time? Do you believe that these norms are consistent with producing "good" policy? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the norms that guide behavior...

Question 15

When members of Congress wait until there is a crisis before taking action in addressing problems in the bureaucracy, they are engaged in:

Accepted Answer

Fire alarm oversight is when Congress waits for a crisis or scandal to occur before intervening and addressing problems in the bureaucracy. This can be contrasted with police patrol oversight, where Congress is more proactive in monitoring and checking on bureaucratic agencies even in the absence of any major problems. Judicial oversight applies to the judiciary branch, while advice and consent oversight primarily relates to presidential appointments. Executive oversight would refer to oversight of the executive branch, but this is not specific enough to the question.

Question 16

Term limits are a type of reform that:

Accepted Answer

Term limits are designed to restrict the number of times an individual can be elected to a particular office, such as a House member's ability to run for reelection.

Question 17

Many states have laws that mandate ________, preventing people from serving in the legislature for more than a certain number of years.

Accepted Answer

Term limits refer to laws that restrict and limit the number of years or terms that an elected official can serve in office. This question specifically asks for a law that mandates a specific limit on the number of years a person can serve in the legislature, which is the definition of term limits. The other options refer to different concepts related to legislative procedures or redistricting.

Question 18

What are apportionment and redistricting? What factors influence the outcome of the processes, particularly with respect to redistricting? What impact does this have on elections to the House of Representatives and, therefore, on the politics of lawmaking?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are apportionment and redistricting? What factors...

Question 19

Why is the filibuster/vote of cloture an important legislative strategy for the minority party?

Accepted Answer

The filibuster/vote of cloture is an important legislative strategy for the minority party because it allows the minority party to stop legislation with as few as 41 votes. By using a filibuster or threatening one, the minority party can delay legislation and potentially force the majority party to negotiate or change key provisions in the bill to gain their support. This can be particularly effective if the majority party does not have a large enough majority to overcome the filibuster.

Question 20

What is the difference between responsibility and responsiveness? How is the tension between these built into the U.S. Congress? Support your answer with specific examples from the textbook.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the difference between responsibility and...

Quiz 11: Congress