Question 1

It has been said that the Founders designed Congress as a machine for killing legislation, not passing it. Do you agree? Would the Founders be surprised by the current gridlock in Congress?

Accepted Answer

The statement that the Founders designed Congress as a machine for killing legislation, not passing it, is a commonly held belief among political scholars. The system of checks and balances, the bicameral structure, and the requirement for a supermajority in the Senate to pass certain legislation all contribute to the difficulty of passing laws.

In this sense, it can be argued that the Founders did intend for Congress to be a deliberative body that carefully considered and debated legislation before enacting it into law. However, it is unlikely that they anticipated the level of gridlock and partisan polarization that currently exists in Congress.

The Founders believed in the importance of compromise and the ability of elected officials to work together for the common good. They would likely be surprised and disappointed by the current state of gridlock in Congress, where partisan politics often take precedence over the needs of the country.

While the Founders may have designed Congress to be a deliberative body, it is clear that they did not intend for it to be paralyzed by partisan bickering and unable to effectively address the pressing issues facing the nation. It is up to the current members of Congress to work towards finding common ground and breaking through the gridlock in order to fulfill the Founders' vision for a functioning legislative branch.

Question 2

How should citizens judge the wastefulness of government spending? Is it true that one person's pork-barrel spending is another person's absolutely necessary expenditure? How might this attitude affect the policy and political choices of members of Congress?

Accepted Answer

Citizens should judge the wastefulness of government spending by examining whether the spending is meeting the needs of the public and providing value for the taxpayer dollars. This can be done by evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of government programs and projects, as well as considering the long-term impact on the economy and society.

It is true that one person's pork-barrel spending can be seen as another person's absolutely necessary expenditure. This is because different individuals and communities have varying perspectives on what constitutes essential government spending. What may seem wasteful to one person may be considered vital to another, depending on their priorities and interests.

This attitude can significantly affect the policy and political choices of members of Congress. Politicians may be more inclined to support spending that benefits their constituents, even if it is deemed wasteful by others. This can lead to the allocation of resources based on political considerations rather than the overall public good. Additionally, the perception of wasteful spending can also be used as a political tool to criticize opponents and gain support from certain voter groups.

In conclusion, the judgment of government spending as wasteful or necessary is subjective and can be influenced by various factors. It is important for citizens to critically evaluate government expenditures and hold elected officials accountable for their decisions. Additionally, policymakers should strive to prioritize spending that benefits the broader public and promotes the common good, rather than succumbing to political pressures and special interests.

Question 3

Many Congressional Republicans have been voicing concerns about possible voter backlash should Congress repeal the Affordable Care Act. Are the authors of the textbook correct in saying that members of Congress must be "constantly concerned with what use future opponents will make of their floor votes"?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the authors of the textbook are correct in saying that members of Congress must be "constantly concerned with what use future opponents will make of their floor votes." This concern is rooted in the nature of democratic political systems, where elected officials are held accountable by their constituents and can face electoral consequences for their actions and decisions.

Members of Congress are aware that their voting record can be scrutinized and used against them in future election campaigns. Opponents can highlight particular votes to portray a member of Congress as being out of touch with their constituents' needs or values. For example, if a member votes to repeal a popular piece of legislation like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which provides healthcare coverage to millions of Americans, they may be criticized for taking away benefits that their constituents rely on.

The potential for voter backlash is a significant factor in the decision-making process for legislators. They must balance their own policy preferences and party loyalty with the interests and opinions of their constituents. If they believe that a vote could harm their re-election prospects, they may be hesitant to support it, even if it aligns with their party's agenda.

In the case of the ACA, many Congressional Republicans recognized that while there was a push within their party to repeal the law, doing so without a suitable replacement could lead to millions of Americans losing their health insurance, which could be politically damaging. This concern about the electoral repercussions of their votes influences how members of Congress position themselves on various issues and can lead to more cautious legislative behavior, especially on high-profile or controversial matters.

In summary, the need for re-election and the desire to maintain a favorable image among voters means that members of Congress must indeed be vigilant about how their floor votes could be used by future opponents, which can affect their willingness to support or oppose legislation.

Question 4

The authors suggest that major change brought about by legislation in Congress is only possible when there is a national consensus about an issue. Is this a good thing? Is it antidemocratic? After all, shouldn't the winners of an election be able to implement their platform and promises without obstruction by the minority?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The authors suggest that major change brought...

Question 5

The failure of Congress to pass a budget bill and its reliance on continuing resolutions suggests that the institution is indeed broken. Propose some reforms that might allow Congress to pass a budget on time each year.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The failure of Congress to pass a...

Question 6

In the nineteenth century, German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck said, "Two things you should never watch are the making of sausage and the making of legislation." Has the process of lawmaking remained as messy as Bismarck said it was? Why might the process of lawmaking be confusing to the average citizen? Why might the average citizen be cynical about the results of the process?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the nineteenth century, German chancellor Otto...

Question 7

Some believe that cloture should be abolished for all legislation and nominations in the Senate and that majority votes should be sufficient in all cases. Why is it highly unlikely that such a reform will ever happen in the Senate? What would have to happen for such a reform to come to fruition? What would be the pros and cons of such a reform?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some believe that cloture should be abolished...

Question 8

Will government shutdowns such as the one that happened in 2013 become a regular occurrence? What were some of the political and economic effects of the 2013 shutdown? Did either political party "win" the shutdown?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Will government shutdowns such as the one...

Question 9

A Supreme Court ruling that focused on gerrymandering was:

Accepted Answer

League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry was a Supreme Court ruling that focused on gerrymandering.

Question 10

The last fiscal year in which Congress passed a balanced budget was:

Accepted Answer

The last time Congress passed a balanced budget was in 1999, during the Clinton administration.

Question 11

A bill cannot be sent to the president until it passes:

Accepted Answer

A bill must be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form before it can be sent to the president for approval or veto.

Question 12

A closed rule means that:

Accepted Answer

A closed rule in the legislative process means that a bill may not be amended on the House floor, limiting debate and amendments.

Question 13

A congressional member's vote is influenced by:

Accepted Answer

A congressional member's vote is influenced by party affiliation, the preferences of their constituents, and the opinions of their colleagues.

Question 14

A difference between the constitutional qualifications for election to the House of Representatives and election to the Senate is that:

Accepted Answer

Senators must be at least thirty years old, while representatives need only be twenty-five, according to the U.S. Constitution.

Question 15

A filibuster can be ended in the Senate by invoking a cloture petition, which requires the support of:

Accepted Answer

A cloture petition requires the support of sixty senators to end a filibuster in the Senate.

Question 16

A temporary committee of the Congress formed to study a particular problem like the Iran-Contra affair is called a:

Accepted Answer

A select committee is a temporary committee formed to address a specific issue or problem, such as the Iran-Contra affair.

Question 17

After a bill has been introduced in Congress, it is assigned to _________ for study, markup, and recommendation.

Accepted Answer

After a bill is introduced in Congress, it is assigned to a standing committee and its subcommittees for study, markup, and recommendation. This is the standard process for legislative review and development.

Question 18

After passing a law, Congress has the additional responsibility of oversight, which is ensuring that:

Accepted Answer

Congressional oversight involves monitoring and ensuring that executive agencies implement the laws and policies as intended by Congress.

Question 19

Before it is voted on, a proposed law is:

Accepted Answer

Before a proposed law, or bill, is voted on, it is published in the Congressional Record, which is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress.

Question 20

Behind the myth of Congress as an ineffective institution is the reality that Congress was designed to:

Accepted Answer

Congress was designed to work slowly to ensure thorough deliberation and prevent hasty decisions, allowing for checks and balances within the legislative process.

Quiz 11: Congress