Question 1

A committee created to reconcile differences in versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate is called a(n)__________ committee.

Accepted Answer

A conference committee is created when the House and Senate pass different versions of a bill, and its purpose is to reconcile those differences and create a single version that both chambers can approve. Arbitration committees and standing committees are not specifically created for this purpose, and appropriations committees deal specifically with funding bills.

Question 2

Of the following groups,which is most underrepresented in Congress?

Accepted Answer

Women represent over half of the population in the United States, but they make up less than 25% of Congress. This is a significant underrepresentation compared to the other groups listed.

Question 3

How do congressional staffers use information from constituent contacts in a way that helps the member of Congress win reelection?

Accepted Answer

Congressional staffers use information from constituent contacts to tailor their communication to voters based on the issues they care about. By doing so, they can present a member of Congress in a way that resonates with the constituents' concerns, and thereby increase the likelihood of winning reelection. B, C, and D do not accurately describe the way in which congressional staffers use constituent information to help their member of Congress win reelection.

Question 4

The __________ is the only House official mandated by the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution mandates the election of the Speaker of the House in Article I, Section 2, which makes the Speaker the only House official with a constitutional mandate. The majority leader and whip are elected by their respective parties, and the Sergeant-at-Arms is appointed by the Speaker.

Question 5

What is the typical process followed by a bill in the House of Representatives?

Accepted Answer

The typical process for a bill in the House of Representatives involves introduction, committee referral, review by a subcommittee, a report by the full committee, a review by the Committee on Rules to set the terms for debate, a full House vote, a conference committee to reconcile differences with the Senate version, another full House vote if necessary, and finally, sending the bill to the president.

Question 6

To increase turnover in the membership of Congress,some reformers have proposed __________ for representatives and senators.

Accepted Answer

Term limits would limit the number of terms that representatives and senators can serve, which would increase turnover and bring in new faces to Congress. This would prevent the entrenchment of long-term incumbents and potentially foster a more responsive and dynamic legislative body. Credit claiming, franking privileges, and incumbency are all factors that contribute to the advantage of incumbents and discourage turnover, so they are not solutions to increasing turnover in Congress.

Question 7

When is lobbying more likely to be successful?

Accepted Answer

Lobbying against change is more likely to be successful because decision-makers are typically risk-averse and are more likely to maintain the status quo. Lobbying for change requires a more challenging task of convincing decision-makers to take action, which may be met with resistance or skepticism.

Question 8

Whose job is it to convey the party's position to rank-and-file congresspersons,keep vote counts,pressure waverers,and report the views and complaints of the House to the party leadership?

Accepted Answer

The job described in the question is that of the whip. The whip is responsible for communicating the party's position to the rank-and-file congresspersons, keeping vote counts, pressuring wavering members to vote along party lines, and reporting the views and complaints of the House to the party leadership. The majority leader and the Speaker of the House have important roles, but their responsibilities are broader and do not solely focus on the tasks mentioned in the question. The committee chairpersons have specific responsibilities related to their committee assignments but are not responsible for the broad range of tasks listed in the question.

Question 9

Congress missed the fact that various agencies with responsibility for supervising the banking industry were negligent in identifying looming financial problems that led to the recession of 2008-2009. This suggests a failure of __________.

Accepted Answer

The fact that various agencies responsible for supervising the banking industry failed to identify the financial problems that led to the recession suggests a failure of oversight.

Question 10

In the 2011-2012 election cycle,how much money did the average winning House candidate spend?

Accepted Answer

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the average winning House candidate spent around $1.6 million in the 2011-2012 election cycle.

Question 11

Why might incumbents want to deemphasize their policy positions during a reelection campaign?

Accepted Answer

Emphasizing policy positions can potentially create enemies among individuals or interest groups who disagree with those positions. Incumbents may want to avoid negative attacks from opponents and maintain a more positive image by focusing on their accomplishments and record rather than specific policy proposals.

Question 12

Because Congress is __________,it is fairly open to interest group influence.

Accepted Answer

Congress is decentralized, meaning power and authority are widely dispersed and not concentrated in the hands of a few. This makes it easier for interest groups to target individual members with specific issues and concerns, and ultimately influence their decision-making. In contrast, a hierarchical system would have a more centralized power structure, making it more difficult for interest groups to have an impact. A professionalized or complex Congress may have experts and specialists, but that does not necessarily increase interest group influence.

Question 13

In the House of Representatives,a bill goes to the Rules Committee __________.

Accepted Answer

The Rules Committee determines the procedures for how a bill will be debated and amended on the House floor. Therefore, it makes sense that the bill would go to the Rules Committee after being approved by its full committee, as this is the next step in the legislative process.

Question 14

What is substantive representation?

Accepted Answer

Substantive representation refers to the advocacy for and representation of the interests and policy preferences of groups, even if the representative does not personally belong to those groups. This contrasts with descriptive representation, where representatives share the characteristics or identities of the groups they represent.

Question 15

One thing that helps incumbents win reelection is __________,which might include federal spending projects benefitting state and local governments,businesses,colleges,and other institutions in a congressional district.

Accepted Answer

The practice of distributing federal funds and projects to benefit a specific district or state is commonly known as the pork barrel. This can include infrastructure projects, grants, and funding for local institutions. Incumbents can use this to their advantage by highlighting their ability to secure funding and projects for their constituents, thereby boosting their chances of reelection.

Question 16

Most of the work of Congress goes on in __________.

Accepted Answer

Committees are smaller groups within Congress that focus on specific issues and topics. Much of the work of Congress happens in these committees, where bills are reviewed, hearings are held, and amendments are made before they are presented to the full House or Senate for a vote. While Congress is in session, there may also be hearings held to gather information and opinions from outside experts or citizens. Conferences are held to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of bills, and recess is a period when Congress is not in session, typically because members have returned to their home districts or states.

Question 17

Which example best demonstrates a legislator acting as a trustee of his or her constituency?

Accepted Answer

A legislator acting as a trustee would use his or her own best judgment while considering the wishes and opinions of his or her constituency, without being solely bound by them. Option A best reflects this approach. Option B is an example of a legislator acting as a delegate, prioritizing election outcomes above all else. Option C is an example of a legislator acting as a delegate, always voting in alignment with his or her constituency's opinions, regardless of expertise or knowledge. Option D is an example of a legislator acting as a partisan, putting the interests of their party above all else.

Question 18

What is the vice president's only constitutionally defined job?

Accepted Answer

According to the US Constitution, the vice president's only defined job is to preside over the Senate. This means that the vice president can cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate, but does not have the power to vote on legislation themselves.

Question 19

__________ is defined as the activities of members of Congress that help individual constituents,particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape.

Accepted Answer

Casework refers to the work that members of Congress perform on behalf of individual constituents, particularly in dealing with bureaucracy and government agencies. This can include helping constituents navigate the complexities of government programs, resolving disputes with agencies, obtaining government benefits or services, and addressing other issues that affect individuals in their district or state. Casework is an important aspect of a member of Congress's job and is often seen as a way of maintaining a strong relationship with constituents.

Question 20

Which statement about incumbency is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Incumbents have a significant reelection advantage due to name recognition, campaign finance advantages, and access to constituent services. Studies show that incumbents win reelection at a significantly higher rate than challengers. B is incorrect because incumbents are not necessarily prohibited from accepting campaign contributions from interest group members, although they may face restrictions and disclosure requirements. C and D are also incorrect as incumbents may leave office for a variety of reasons, including retirement or a desire to pursue other opportunities.

Quiz 11: Congress

A committee created to reconcile differences in versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate is called a(n) __________ committee.