Deck 1: The Complexity of Congress

Question 1

Why is Congress the first branch of government? Was this an arbitrary decision?

Answer 1

no answer

Question 2

The founders intended for gridlock to be the norm in Congress; is that a good thing? Is their intention the most important consideration in modern America?

Answer 2

no answer

Question 3

Do we want members of Congress to represent the views of their constituents exactly? What value is there in a member voting based on their personal preferences and the privileged information they gain as members of Congress?

Answer 3

no answer

Question 4

Technocrats prefer evidence-based decision making for enacting public policy. Are there any downsides to this approach?

Question 5

If members of Congress and Americans are displeased that political party leaders control so much of the legislative process in the modern Congress, why do members not just reorganize the legislative process?

Question 6

To evaluate Congress' performance in any way we must decide what its functions are as an institution of government. Drawing from the founding documents, Federalist Papers, and any other relevant material, discuss three different functions of Congress. Be sure to detail where the function is derived from, why Congress has authority to act with regard to this function, and why that function is relevant for, or useful to, citizens.

Question 7

Political scientists, members of Congress, and the public alike all express concern at the gridlock on display in the modern Congress. Define gridlock and discuss why some people think it is a good thing and why others think it is a bad thing. Be sure to cite any sources to which you refer.

Question 8

Some Americans argue that policymaking should be value-neutral and focus only on the best outcome based on the evidence. Politics, defined broadly here as disagreements about values and preferences in shaping policy, are inevitable. Yet, Theriault and Edwards go one step further and argue that politics are central to our free society. Do you agree with their argument? Why or why not? Be sure to provide concrete examples to back up your position.

Question 9

Imagine you are having a conversation with a close friend and they say to you "I do not understand why my member of Congress never listens to me." Being an astute observer of Congress, you can think of many reasons a member might be pressured to ignore your friend. Identify a few interests, people, or industries that members must be aware of when making political decisions on behalf of their constituents. Be sure to explain why these factors matter to members and they might privilege these factors over regular constituent communications from your friend.

Question 10

Given what we know about the evolution of congressional culture, the legislative process, and the influence of political parties, would it be more advantageous to a senator's constituents for her to join the Senate as a new member today or 25 years ago? Support your claim with at least three reasons.

Question 11

Congress wields power over the presidency in a variety of ways, such as final approval on a variety of appointments. Name three other ways Congress has power over the president.

Question 12

Discuss why Congress retains supremacy over the president in foreign policy matters despite the claims made by most presidents.

Question 13

Two amendments to the Constitution are said to form the backbone of most arguments that Congress, even with majority support, is sometimes precluded from acting. Name each amendment and what its purpose is.

Question 14

Given what we know about the modern legislative process, name a role in the House of Representatives you might want to attain to increase your power in the legislative process. Explain why you would want that role.

Question 15

Some members of Congress perceive their role in Congress as being a servant, helping their constituents achieve certain ends. This is likely not their only perception of their role. Describe two other ways a member might perceive as their reason for serving as a member of Congress.

Question 16

Politics is increasingly organized by political parties. If you were a new member of Congress today what are two things, related to party influence, you might experience in your first term that members joining the institution for the first time in the mid-20^th century might not have experienced?

Question 17

Which part of the Constitution establishes Congress? Is there any significance to its location? Why or why not?

Question 18

Congress scholars frequently use the phrase _______ often dictates policy. Why is this phrase so common and what does it mean?

Question 19

What is the role of the House Rules Committee in the legislative process?

Question 20

What does it mean when someone says that partisan polarization is "high"?

Question 21

Members of Congress come from all walks of life including a variety of previous career fields. The two most common previous jobs for members of Congress are both related to which field?

A) Law
B) Social work
C) Politics
D) Medicine

Question 22

Congress approves all appointments to federal courts, but the courts still provide a check on Congress. What power do the federal courts have over Congress?

A) They can decide the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress
B) They can impeach any member of Congress
C) The Supreme Court, with support from lower courts, can bar Congress from meeting
D) They appoint a new member if someone resigns

Question 23

Most bills originate in _____________.

A) The Senate
B) Conference Committee
C) The House of Representatives
D) The White House

Question 24

When the number of House members and senators is added together we get the full membership of the Congress. How many members of Congress are there?

A) 435
B) 535
C) 538
D) 100

Question 25

It is often said that Congress represents America in a miniature. Despite this, we know that some groups remain underrepresented in Congress. Which of the following groups exist in Congress and the population equally?

A) Women
B) African Americans
C) Hispanic Americans
D) None of the above

Question 26

What is the main role of the Library of Congress?

A) To facilitate visitors to the Capitol Building
B) To archive all official government documents
C) To serve the Congress by providing information to lawmakers
D) None of the above

Question 27

Approximately what percent of State of the Union requests have been fulfilled by Congress since 1965?

A) 40%
B) 65%
C) 10%
D) 80%

Question 28

Who was the first president to deliver his State of the Union address at night to more effectively communicate with the public?

A) Richard Nixon
B) John F. Kennedy
C) Lyndon Johnson
D) Jimmy Carter

Question 29

What is the first step the president would take to remove a member of Congress from office?

A) There is no process for the president to remove a member of Congress from office
B) Hold a joint meeting with the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader in the Senate
C) File a petition with the Senate parliamentarian
D) Draft an executive order adjourning Congress

Question 30

Political party leaders hold much of the power in the modern legislative process and this fact frustrates members of Congress as well as the public. What can be done to change the process?

A) The president's cabinet can vote to force Congress into an Executive Reorganization session
B) The Supreme Court can rule the legislative process to be unconstitutional
C) The Department of Justice can file a claim with the Senate to form a reorganization committee
D) Members outside the party leadership can organize to change the rules that shape the process

Question 31

If you were advising the president, and assuming her main goal was to enact sweeping policy changes, what task would you advise her to assign to her best staffers?

A) Designing mass media campaigns about her agenda
B) Coordinating with party leadership in Congress
C) Overseeing cabinet meetings
D) Monitoring the Supreme Court

Question 32

Given what we know about the pace of the legislative process, what is the easiest way for a new member of Congress to make an impact for their constituents during their first term in office?

A) Introduce as many bills as possible
B) Found a Political Action Committee
C) Conduct oversight on an important industry in their district
D) Move to Washington, D.C. permanently

Question 33

The lower chamber of Congress, said to be closer to the people, is known as the ________.

A) House of Commons
B) General Assembly
C) House of Representatives
D) Senate

Question 34

The upper chamber of Congress, said to be more exclusive and deliberative, is known as the ________.

A) House of Lords
B) House of Representatives
C) General Assembly
D) Senate

Question 35

Protecting the individual rights of citizens is a common consideration throughout the U.S. Constitution. The founders immediately amended the constitution with the first ten amendments, which are better known as what?

A) The Bill of Rights
B) The Magna Carta
C) The U.S. Code
D) The Declaration of Independence

Question 36

What committee is usually formed to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the same bill passed by the House and Senate?

A) Rules committee
B) Conference committee
C) Standing committee
D) Joint reconciliation committee

Question 37

What term refers to someone who believes policy should be made by considering all possible policy choices based on a neutral, best-outcome perspective?

A) Technocrats
B) Bureaucrats
C) Autocrats
D) Lobbyists

Question 38

What term do members of Congress use to refer to the people they represent?

A) Representees
B) District citizenry
C) Constituents
D) None of the above

Question 39

The State of the Union Address is a constitutional requirement, but to whom is the address mainly directed?

A) Citizens
B) The Supreme Court
C) Federal employees
D) Congress

Question 40

The president, Senate majority leader, and Speaker of the House each wield significant power in their institutional roles. Which of the following is a key difference between them?

A) Only the Speaker and Senate majority leader are paid with tax dollars
B) The Speaker and Senate majority leader hold national office without national constituency
C) The president has many more staffers
D) Both b and c

Question 41

What happens if the president vetoes a bill and Congress still wants it to become law

A) Nothing because presidential vetoes are final
B) With enough votes the Congress can overturn the veto and the bill becomes law
C) Congress can reprimand the president and hope he reverses his decision
D) Congress can sue the president and the Supreme Court decides the fate of the bill

Question 42

What happens when the president sponsors a bill in Congress?

A) The bill is assigned to a specific committee for presidential bills
B) If enough members cosponsor the bill it can be voted on without a committee hearing
C) Presidents cannot sponsor bills in Congress
D) Both a and b

Question 43

Which section in the Constitution distinguishes between foreign and domestic policy?

A) Article I, Section 4
B) Article IV, Section 2
C) Article I, Section 2
D) None of the above

Question 44

Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gave Congress power to do which of the following?

A) Impose taxes
B) Establish a public education system
C) Appoint cabinet secretaries
D) Establish judicial review

Question 45

What did the War Powers Act do?

A) Reserved Congress' right to intervene in a president's deployment and use of troops
B) Shifted the power to declare war from Congress to the president
C) Capped spending on the military in a given year
D) Required the president to report updates on any wars during the State of the Union address

Question 46

Congress does not hold all and unlimited powers. Which of the following is a power reserved for the president?

A) Ratifying trade agreements
B) Establishing diplomatic relations with other countries
C) Receiving ambassadors from other countries
D) Both b and c

Question 47

Within Congress there is the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference. What are these two groups examples of?

A) Groups formed by each party to screen nominations
B) Internal governing groups for lawmakers to discuss policy and party strategies
C) Fundraising organizations
D) Formal advisory groups to the president that only exist when their party has the White House

Question 48

If a bill originates in the House and passes a floor vote, what is the next step in the legislative process?

A) A hearing by the House Rules Committee
B) Conference Committee
C) A similar bill must be introduced by a senator
D) It goes to the White House for the president's signature

Question 49

Who decides if a bill will get a subcommittee hearing?

A) The Speaker of the House
B) The Senate arbiter
C) The committee of jurisdiction's chairman
D) Both a and b

Question 50

If a bill has passed both on the House and Senate floors how might party leaders go about defeating the bill?

A) Refusing to appoint conferees to the conference committee
B) Filing a discharge petition for the bill
C) Having the president submit a hold for the bill
D) Moving into a special session

Question 51

Which of the following best defines the term ideology?

A) The belief that policy should be made based on a neutral, best-outcome perspective
B) A set of consistent political values
C) A set of elected officials organized to support certain public policies
D) The belief that congressional procedures should be interpreted literally instead of via evolving precedents

Question 52

Which section of the Constitution establishes political parties?

A) Article I, Section 4
B) Article IV, Section 1
C) The eleventh amendment
D) None of the above

Question 53

About how many people does the average member in the House of Representatives represent?

A) 20,000,000
B) 60,000
C) 1,500,000
D) 700,000

Question 54

If a member of Congress has a personal interest in the outcome of a vote are they allowed to support it on the floor?

A) Yes, but there will be political costs and they may not be reelected
B) No, the parliamentarian will revoke their right to vote
C) No, the conflict-of-interest provision in the congressional rules prohibits it
D) No, the political parties prohibit their members from doing so

Question 55

Do members of Congress today cast more or fewer votes on the floor than they did in the mid-20th century?

A) More
B) About the same
C) Fewer
D) We cannot compare because the process of voting has changed