Question 1

Most members of the House attempt to stay on good terms with the Speaker of the House because the Speaker

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the House possesses the power of recognition, which means they have the authority to recognize members to speak on the House floor and to assign bills to committees. By staying on good terms with the Speaker, members increase their chances of being recognized and having their legislative priorities advanced. The other options are not accurate descriptions of the Speaker's role.

Question 2

In addition to pressuring members of Congress to vote a certain way on a bill, interest groups also have substantial influence in

Accepted Answer

Interest groups have the ability to bring certain policies or issues to the forefront of the legislative agenda. They have the power to influence which bills get prioritized and receive more attention from Congress. This allows interest groups to not only influence the specific outcomes of legislation but to also shape the overall legislative agenda. While interest groups may have some influence in other areas mentioned, setting the legislative agenda is a particularly significant form of influence.

Question 3

What is the organizational structure of Congress? What are some of the leadership positions in both houses, and what are their functions? What are some of the types of committees? Are there any important differences between the organizational structures of the House and Senate? If so, discuss them.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the organizational structure of Congress?...

Question 4

The role that the U.S. Senate plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Senate sits as the jury in an impeachment trial, hearing evidence and arguments from both the prosecution and defense. They ultimately make a decision on whether to convict or acquit the defendant. This role is similar to that of a trial jury in a criminal trial.

Question 5

Describe how Congress exercises its checks and balances over the executive branch. Which chamber of Congress has more authority over the executive branch? Provide examples. How might partisanship help to diminish the exercise of congressional power over the presidency? Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how Congress exercises its checks and...

Question 6

Why does the House typically have greater party unity than the Senate?

Accepted Answer

House leaders have more organizational control over the actions of representatives than Senate leaders, making it easier to maintain party unity in the House. In the Senate, individual senators have more power and autonomy, making it more difficult to enforce party loyalty.

Question 7

Compared to the rest of American history, recent congresses have been ________ polarized and ________ productive in terms of passing laws.

Accepted Answer

Recent congresses have been more polarized, with party lines becoming more sharply divided and less willingness to work across the aisle to pass laws. However, they have also been less productive in terms of passing laws, with gridlock and partisan stalemates often preventing legislation from moving forward.

Question 8

Who were the only two presidents to be impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868 for violating the Tenure of Office Act and Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice. Richard Nixon resigned before the House could vote on his impeachment. Calvin Coolidge and Herbert Hoover were never impeached. Gerald Ford was never impeached, although there were attempts to impeach him.

Question 9

Describe the process by which a bill becomes a law. What are the major steps in the process? What are the main differences in the legislative process between the two houses of Congress?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the process by which a bill...

Question 10

Oversight can best be described as the

Accepted Answer

Oversight refers to Congress' efforts to monitor and control the actions of the executive branch, ensuring that laws are being implemented correctly and effectively. This includes conducting hearings, investigations, and other forms of scrutiny to hold the executive branch accountable. Option B refers to party discipline, while option C refers to committee and subcommittee procedures. Option D refers to the Senate's confirmation of judicial appointments, which is a separate issue.

Question 11

The role that the U.S. House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a

Accepted Answer

The U.S. House of Representatives plays the role of a grand jury in impeachments by deciding whether to bring charges against a government official. Just as a grand jury decides whether there is enough evidence to bring charges against someone, the House of Representatives decides whether there is enough evidence of wrongdoing to impeach a government official.

Question 12

There are many different ways that members of Congress can represent the American people. Define and discuss the differences between sociological and agency representation. Which type of representation do you think the U.S. Congress provides best? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are many different ways that members...

Question 13

Many political observers have identified a strong "incumbency advantage" in congressional elections. Describe what this term means and explain the reasons behind it. In particular, discuss some of the ways members of Congress can provide patronage to their districts and the role that redistricting plays in congressional elections.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Many political observers have identified a strong...

Question 14

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent extends to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Senate's constitutional power of advice and consent explicitly applies to the President's power to make treaties with foreign nations. This means that the Senate must approve any treaty negotiated by the President before it can go into effect. The other options listed (B, C, and D) are not subject to the Senate's advice and consent power.

Question 15

Which of the following statements about the impeachment process is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

The impeachment process is ultimately a political process and can become highly partisan. The decision to impeach a president, for example, is made by the House of Representatives, where the majority party holds significant power. The Senate, which holds the trial after impeachment, is also subject to partisan influence. Additionally, there can be differing opinions among legislators about what constitutes "high crimes and misdemeanors," making it difficult to reach a consensus.

Quiz 9: Congress