Question 1

Perhaps the most important factor determining who runs for Congress is

Accepted Answer

Candidates' personal ambitions are a crucial factor in determining who decides to run for Congress. Individuals must have the desire and drive to pursue a political career, navigate the complexities of elections, and serve in a legislative capacity.

Question 2

In recent years, the rate of reelection for representatives seeking to return to service in the U.S. House of Representatives has been about __________ percent.

Accepted Answer

The correct percentage is approximately 90%. This is due in part to the advantage incumbents have in terms of name recognition, access to fundraising, and the ability to use their time in office to deliver benefits to their constituents.

Question 3

Compared to the House of Representatives, the Senate is much more

Accepted Answer

The Senate is often considered more deliberative than the House of Representatives because of its smaller size, longer terms, and rules that encourage extended debate and amendment. This allows for more thoughtful consideration of legislation and a greater emphasis on compromise and consensus-building.

Question 4

Which term describes the direct services and benefits that congressional representatives provide for their districts, such as appointing supporters to government offices or conferring grants and licenses to constituents?

Accepted Answer

Patronage refers to the practice of providing direct services and benefits to constituents as a way of gaining their support and loyalty. This includes appointing supporters to government offices and conferring grants and licenses to constituents. The other options, incumbency, franking privilege, and sponsorships, do not specifically refer to these types of services and benefits provided by congressional representatives.

Question 5

Compared to the Senate, the House of Representatives has exhibited considerably more

Accepted Answer

The House of Representatives has exhibited considerably more intense partisanship, as members are closer to their constituents and are elected every two years. This creates a greater incentive to please their party base and take strong partisan positions.

Question 6

A professional legislature is one with members who

Accepted Answer

The answer of A professional legislature is one with members...

Question 7

Legislation that captures federal projects and funds for a congressional representative's own district is described as __________ legislation.

Accepted Answer

Pork-barrel legislation refers to laws or policies that are designed to benefit a particular district or state, usually by allocating money or projects to that region. This type of legislation is often criticized as wasteful or corrupt, as it may prioritize local interests over broader national needs.

Question 8

Which term best describes a legislative assembly, such as the Congress, that is divided into two chambers or houses?

Accepted Answer

The term that best describes a legislative assembly that is divided into two chambers or houses is "bicameral" (option B). This term comes from the Latin words "bi" meaning "two" and "camera" meaning "chamber" or "room". The Congress, which is divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives, is an example of a bicameral legislature. None of the other options (A, C, and D) are appropriate for describing this structure.

Question 9

Compared to members of the House of Representatives, most senators serve constituencies that are

Accepted Answer

Senators represent entire states, which typically have larger and more diverse populations compared to the smaller, more specific districts represented by members of the House of Representatives.

Question 10

How often do voters elect members to the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Voters elect members to the House of Representatives every two years. This is stated in Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 11

Compared to the Senate, the small size and relative homogeneity of House districts, combined with more frequent elections, make House members

Accepted Answer

The small size and relative homogeneity of House districts, along with the frequency of elections (every two years), make House members particularly attuned to the specific needs and interests of their local constituencies. This local focus often includes responding to the legislative needs of local interest groups, as these groups can have significant influence in a relatively small and homogenous district.

Question 12

Why does the Senate tend to be a more deliberative body than the House?

Accepted Answer

The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate, which allows for extended discussion and consideration of legislation. This contributes to a more deliberative environment, as members have more opportunities to express their views and consider different perspectives. In contrast, the House has more restrictive rules on debate, which can limit the amount of time for discussion and consideration of legislation.

Question 13

How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?

Accepted Answer

The term of office for a U.S. senator is six years. This is established by the Constitution in Article I, Section 3.

Question 14

How many members are in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

There are a total of 435 members in the U.S. House of Representatives, each representing a congressional district in their respective state.

Question 15

What is the minimum age required to serve as a member of the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

The minimum age required to serve as a member of the House of Representatives is 25 years old, as stated in Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution.

Question 16

Article I of the Constitution specifies that the House of Representatives must originate all legislation on which topic?

Accepted Answer

According to Article I of the Constitution, the House of Representatives must originate all legislation relating to taxes and government spending. This is known as the Origination Clause.

Question 17

What is the general term for providing minor services to constituents, introducing bills for specific citizens, and attempting to influence decisions by agencies and regulatory commissions on their behalf?

Accepted Answer

Constituency service, also known as casework, is the general term for providing minor services to constituents, introducing bills for specific citizens, and attempting to influence decisions by agencies and regulatory commissions on their behalf. Pork barreling refers to the use of government funds for local projects that are not essential but are intended to benefit a legislator's constituents. Glad-handing is a term for the practice of politicians greeting and shaking hands with constituents as a way of garnering support. Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group over another.

Question 18

What is the minimum age required to serve as a U.S. senator?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution requires that a senator must be at least 30 years old.

Question 19

Running to keep a political office that one already holds is called

Accepted Answer

Incumbency refers to the fact that a person currently holds a political office and is running for reelection. It is an advantage in elections because the incumbent has experience, name recognition, and often more resources for campaigning.

Question 20

How many members are in the U.S. Senate?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Senate has a total of 100 members consisting of two senators from each of the 50 states.

Quiz 6: Congress: The First Branch