Congress Flashcards
(208 cards)
1
Q
What is the most unpopular branch of the U.S. government?
A
Congress
Despite its unpopularity, Congress is considered the most important branch for understanding the national government.
2
Q
How many pages of the Constitution are dedicated to Congress?
A
Four and a half pages
Compared to the presidency’s one and a half pages and the Supreme Court’s three-quarters of a page.
3
Q
What powers are encompassed by the ‘power of the purse’?
A
Taxation and spending decisions
This power is considered one of the most important powers of Congress.
4
Q
What is the relationship between Congress and federalism?
A
Congress sustains federalism by guaranteeing two senators per state without regard to state population
This ensures equal representation in the Senate.
5
Q
What role does Congress play in the system of checks and balances?
A
Overrides presidential vetoes and determines federal judiciary structure
Congress is essential in maintaining the separation of powers.
6
Q
What is the public perception of Congress in recent decades?
A
Congress is viewed as ‘the broken branch’
Many believe it cannot effectively address pressing issues and is overly responsive to special interests.
7
Q
What was the typical approval rating for Congress in the past decade?
A
Less than 20 percent
Approval ratings have sometimes dipped below 10 percent.
8
Q
What paradox exists regarding public opinion and congressional incumbents?
A
Americans disapprove of Congress but reelect their own members
Richard F. Fenno’s phrase encapsulates this contradiction.
9
Q
What trend has been observed in party polarization in Congress since the 1970s?
A
Increased polarization and party-line voting
This polarization has led to fewer bipartisan agreements.
10
Q
What was the party composition in the House at the end of the 91st Congress in 1970?
A
29 Republicans in the liberal half and 59 Democrats in the conservative half
This contrasts sharply with the composition in 1998.
11
Q
What is the minimum age requirement to serve as a Representative in Congress?
A
25 years old
Age is counted when seated, not when elected.
12
Q
What must a Senator be in terms of citizenship?
A
A citizen of the United States for nine years
Senators must also be at least 30 years old when seated.
13
Q
What privilege do members of Congress have regarding their legislative speech?
A
Privileged speech
Members cannot be questioned for any speech or debate in either house.
14
Q
What did James Madison think of representatives who refuse to compromise?
A
He disparaged them as selfish or unenlightened
Madison envisioned members as public-spirited representatives.
15
Q
What is the fundamental difference between a ‘congress’ and a ‘parliament’?
A
A congress features a separation of powers; a parliament does not
This reflects the Framers’ intention to avoid a parliamentary system.
16
Q
What is the origin of the term ‘Congress’?
A
Derived from a Latin term meaning ‘a coming together’
This implies a meeting of representatives from various places.
17
Q
What is the origin of the term ‘Parliament’?
A
Comes from a French word meaning ‘to talk’
This reflects the primary role of discussion in parliamentary systems.
18
Q
What is the origin of the term ‘Congress’?
A
Derived from a Latin term meaning ‘a coming together’
Refers to the meeting of representatives from various places.
19
Q
What does the term ‘Parliament’ mean?
A
Comes from a French word ‘parler’ meaning ‘to talk’
Indicates a focus on discussion in legislative processes.
20
Q
How does one typically become a member of a parliament?
A
By persuading a political party to put their name on the ballot
Usually involves local party committees and national party suggestions.
21
Q
How does one become a candidate for the U.S. Congress?
A
By running in a primary election
Parties may influence outcomes but cannot control primary elections.
22
Q
What is a key difference in the composition of a parliament versus a congress?
A
Parliament members are loyal to national party leadership; Congress members think of themselves as independent representatives
This affects how laws are made and government is run.
23
Q
What is the primary decision that members of a parliament can make?
A
Whether or not to support the government
This is crucial as it impacts the stability of the government in a parliamentary system.
24
Q
What happens if members of a ruling party in parliament vote against their leaders?
A
The leaders lose office and a new government must be formed
This creates a strong incentive for party unity.
25
What is one power that Congress has independently of the president?
Can vote on proposed laws without worrying about government collapse
## Footnote
This independence allows for more diverse representation.
26
What is the principal work of a congress?
Representation and action
## Footnote
Most of this work occurs in committees.
27
How does the salary and resources of a U.S. Congress member compare to that of a British parliament member?
U.S. Congress members earn a substantial salary and have extensive resources
## Footnote
British members receive modest salaries and limited resources.
28
What is the franking privilege?
Allows members of Congress to mail newsletters and certain documents to constituents for free
## Footnote
This privilege supports communication with voters.
29
Why might Congress be unpopular with voters?
Because it engages in political arguments and compromise decisions
## Footnote
Voters often desire clear and decisive government action.
30
What was one reason the Framers chose a congress over a parliament?
To prevent the concentration of power in a single governmental institution
## Footnote
They feared rule by an oppressive majority.
31
What are the two competing values in Congress that affect its ability to act?
Centralization versus decentralization
## Footnote
This balance influences how quickly and decisively Congress can act.
32
What is the structure of the U.S. Congress?
A bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate
## Footnote
The House is made up of directly elected members, while the Senate consists of two members from each state.
33
What fundamental problem does the House of Representatives face?
The desire to be big and powerful while maintaining individual member power
## Footnote
This creates ongoing challenges in governance.
34
How does the Senate differ from the House in terms of leadership authority?
The Senate can operate without giving much authority to a small group of leaders
## Footnote
This is due to its smaller size (100 members).
35
What is the size of the Senate?
100 members
36
What was a significant issue in the Senate before the Civil War?
The number of senators from slave-owning states equaled those from free states
37
Until when were senators not elected by the voters?
Until the 20th century
38
Who initially chose senators before the 20th century?
State legislatures
39
What was the Senate often referred to by the end of the 19th century?
The Millionaires’ Club
40
What amendment established the direct election of senators?
The Seventeenth Amendment
41
What are the qualifications to be a member of the House?
* At least 25 years of age
* Citizen of the United States for at least seven years
* Inhabit the state from which elected
42
What is the length of terms for members of the House?
2 Years
43
What special powers does the House have?
* Legislative authority
* Impeach
* Power of the purse
* Elect the president in case of a tie in the Electoral College
44
What are the qualifications to be a member of the Senate?
* At least 30 years of age
* Citizen of the United States for at least nine years
* Inhabit the state from which elected
45
What is the length of terms for members of the Senate?
6 Years
46
What special powers does the Senate have?
* Legislative authority
* Conduct impeachment trials
* Review and approve presidential nominees
* Approve treaties made by the president
47
What is a filibuster?
A prolonged speech or series of speeches made to delay action in a legislative assembly
48
What was the first serious effort to restrict the filibuster?
In 1917
49
What is Rule 22 in the Senate?
A rule allowing debate to be cut off if two-thirds of the senators present and voting agree
50
Who was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House?
Nancy Pelosi
51
What significant change occurred in the House in the 1970s regarding committee chairs?
They had to be elected by the members of the majority party
52
What was the result of the House revolt against 'Czar' Cannon in 1910-1911?
Stripped the Speaker of his right to appoint committee chairs
53
What demographic changes occurred in Congress from 1950 to 2017?
* Women in the House increased from 9 to 83
* African Americans increased from 2 to 47
* Latinos increased to 38 members
54
True or False: The Senate has a more formal set of rules compared to the House.
False
55
Fill in the blank: The Senate was known as the _______ due to the wealth of its members.
Millionaires’ Club
56
What was the main reason for the demand for the direct election of senators?
Political maneuvering among faction leaders in state legislatures
57
What was the increase in the number of women in the House of Representatives from 1950 to 2017?
From 9 to 83 (plus 4 delegates)
## Footnote
This includes representatives from U.S. territories and the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico.
58
How many African Americans served in the House of Representatives in 2017?
47 (plus 2 delegates)
## Footnote
The total includes representatives from U.S. territories.
59
What is the number of Latino members in the House of Representatives as of 2017?
38 (plus 1 delegate and the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico)
60
How many Native American members were in the House of Representatives in 2017?
2
61
What significant change occurred in the Senate regarding African Americans and women before the 1992 election?
No African Americans and only two women served in the Senate
62
How many women served in the U.S. Senate during the 115th Congress?
21 women
63
What is a majority-minority district?
A congressional district where a majority of voters are racial or ethnic minorities
64
What is descriptive representation?
When a minority officeholder represents minority constituents
65
What are the potential drawbacks of majority-minority districts?
They may harm minority interests and decrease the likelihood of electing Democrats in surrounding districts
## Footnote
This can lead to less responsiveness to minority voters' needs.
66
What is substantive representation?
The ability of citizens to elect officials who will enact policies they favor
67
Who was the first woman to become Speaker of the House?
Nancy Pelosi in 2007
68
What demographic changes occurred in Congress between the 102nd Congress (1991-1992) and the 115th Congress (2017-2018)?
Increased diversity with more women, blacks, and Latinos, and fewer lawyers and military veterans
69
What was the average age of House members in the 115th Congress?
58
70
What was the average age of Senate members in the 115th Congress?
62
71
What proportion of House members were first-termers in the 19th century?
Often a majority, with over half serving their first term in 1869
72
What happened to the proportion of first-termers in the House from 1863 to 1969?
Fell from 58 percent to 8 percent
73
What did the Supreme Court rule regarding term limits for federal legislators?
Could only be imposed by a constitutional amendment
74
What percentage of the public supported term limits according to a 2013 Gallup poll?
75 percent
75
What effect do term limits reportedly have on politicians' responsiveness to public opinion?
They decrease responsiveness
76
What was the average reelection rate for House incumbents from 1964 to 2016?
93 percent
77
What was the average reelection rate for Senate incumbents from 1964 to 2016?
82 percent
78
What percentage of House incumbents who sought reelection won in the 2010 midterm election?
85 percent
79
How did House incumbents typically perform against their opponents in elections?
Beat their opponents by 10 points or more
80
What is the historical trend of reelection rates for House incumbents from 1964 to 2016?
Reelection rates have been consistently high, with more than 60% of House members reelected with at least 60% of the major-party vote since the 1970s.
81
What defines marginal districts and safe districts?
Marginal districts are those where the winner receives less than 55% of the vote; safe districts are where incumbents win by 55% or more.
82
What percentage of House seats were considered marginal in the 2014 election?
Only 11 percent of House seats were marginal.
83
What advantages do incumbents have over challengers?
Incumbents have advantages such as large fundraising capabilities, name recognition, and access to free mailings and public travel.
84
What role does incumbents' familiarity play in elections?
Familiarity helps incumbents get elected as they are better known to voters than challengers.
85
How do incumbents use their power to benefit their districts?
Incumbents can pass programs or allocate funds that benefit their districts, thereby increasing their support from constituents.
86
What is the incumbency advantage?
The incumbency advantage refers to the tendency for incumbents to perform better than challengers in elections.
87
How many Congresses convened between 1933 and 2017, and how many were controlled by Democrats?
Forty-three Congresses convened, with Democrats controlling both houses in 27 of them.
88
What political shift occurred after the 1994 elections?
Republicans have been in power more often than Democrats since 1994.
89
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the process of drawing district boundaries to favor one party over another.
90
What is the impact of gerrymandering on congressional elections?
Gerrymandering influences elections but its effect is modest rather than massive.
91
What constraints limit the effects of gerrymandering?
Constraints include state and federal laws requiring equal population in districts and the creation of majority-minority districts.
92
How do Republican and Democratic voter distributions differ?
Republican voters are more evenly spread across districts, while Democratic voters are more concentrated in urban areas.
93
What are the three theories about how members of Congress behave?
The three theories are representational, organizational, and attitudinal.
94
What does the representational view suggest about Congress members' voting behavior?
It suggests that members vote to please their constituents to get reelected.
95
What is the organizational explanation in the context of Congress?
It posits that pleasing fellow members of Congress is more important than pleasing constituents because they can influence legislative success.
96
What is the attitudinal explanation regarding congressional behavior?
It suggests that conflicting pressures cancel each other out, allowing members to vote based on their own beliefs.
97
Fill in the blank: Many Southern representatives were able to oppose civil rights measures because the African Americans in their districts were _______.
prevented from voting.
98
What issues often force legislators to vote according to their constituents' preferences?
Issues that arouse deep passions among voters, such as gun control and federal funding for abortions.
99
What are some contentious issues that Congress faces?
Gun control and the use of federal money for abortions
## Footnote
These issues often lead to conflicting views among constituents.
100
What might members of Congress do when they are uncertain about how to vote?
They may try to be out of town when a vote comes up
## Footnote
This is sometimes a tactic to avoid difficult decisions.
101
How do members of Congress from marginal districts behave compared to those from safe districts?
They are not generally more eager to vote according to constituent wishes
## Footnote
Research indicates that independent-minded members exist in both types of districts.
102
What factor limits the representative explanation of congressional voting?
Public opinion is often not strong and clear on many measures
## Footnote
This leads to divided constituencies.
103
What can enhance the response of legislators to public opinion?
Providing information about public opinion in their districts
## Footnote
Legislators who received this information were more likely to support their constituents' views.
104
Why does constituent opinion have a strong effect on member behavior?
Voting against constituents' wishes risks being voted out of office
## Footnote
Challengers often exploit votes that oppose the majority view of constituents.
105
What is the organizational view of congressional voting?
Members respond primarily to cues from their colleagues, especially party affiliation
## Footnote
This view explains voting behavior when constituency interests are not at stake.
106
What is the principal cue that explains a member's behavior in office?
Party affiliation
## Footnote
Party loyalty significantly influences voting patterns.
107
Do members of Congress blindly adopt their party's positions?
No, they consider their own beliefs and the values of their party
## Footnote
This reflects differing views on government roles between Democrats and Republicans.
108
What are some examples of ideological groups within Congress?
* Congressional Progressive Caucus
* House Freedom Caucus
## Footnote
These groups represent various points of view in ideological debates.
109
How do members vote on bills they do not understand in detail?
They take cues from party members on the sponsoring committee
## Footnote
This is common for votes not involving major ideological questions.
110
What do members of Congress consider when voting on bills affecting their state?
They may take cues from members of their state's delegation
## Footnote
This helps guide their decisions on relevant legislation.
111
112
What influences members' behavior in Congress?
Members' own ideologies
## Footnote
Political elites think more ideologically than the public, and personal views shape why party is a powerful influence.
113
How has Congress changed in terms of ideological division?
Congress has become more polarized, with all liberal members being Democrats and all conservative members being Republicans.
114
What is a crucial factor in the polarization of Congress?
Conservative Southern Democrats became conservative Southern Republicans.
115
Who tends to have the strongest views in politics?
Political activists
## Footnote
Most Americans remain moderate and nonideological.
116
What do most voters prefer in terms of political strategy?
Compromise and bipartisanship.
117
True or False: Most ordinary Americans are highly politically interested.
False
## Footnote
Many ordinary Americans are disengaged from politics.
118
What role do party leaders play in Congress?
They organize party members and schedule legislative business.
119
What is the role of the majority leader in the Senate?
Schedule the business of the Senate and consult with the minority leader.
120
What is a whip in Congress?
A senator or representative who helps party leaders stay informed and rounds up votes.
121
What is the significance of the Speaker in the House of Representatives?
The Speaker is the principal leader of the majority party and has substantial influence over legislation.
122
What is a party vote?
A vote where most Democrats are on one side and most Republicans are on the other.
123
What defines a party caucus?
An association of congressional members created to advance a political ideology or interest.
124
What types of caucuses exist in Congress?
* Ideological caucuses
* Regional caucuses
* Issue-specific caucuses
* Racial or ethnic group caucuses
125
What is the primary organizational feature of Congress beyond parties?
Legislative committees.
126
What determines the power dynamics within Congress?
The chairmanship of committees and subcommittees.
127
Fill in the blank: The majority party in the Senate usually selects one of its members to be _______.
president pro tempore.
128
What does the Steering and Outreach Committee do for Democrats?
Assigns senators to standing committees.
129
What happens when members of Congress have little information on a vote?
They look to fellow party members for advice.
130
How has party voting changed since the 1970s?
There have been more party unity votes.
131
What is the Congressional Black Caucus?
A caucus that advocates for issues relevant to African Americans.
132
What is the task of the majority leader in the House?
Manage scheduling and legislative business.
133
How do ordinary Americans differ from political activists?
Ordinary Americans are more moderate and less ideologically driven.
134
What is the most important organizational feature of Congress beyond the parties?
The set of legislative committees of the House and Senate.
## Footnote
Most of the power of Congress is found in the chairmanship of these committees and their subcommittees.
135
How many committees and subcommittees does a typical Congress have?
About two dozen committees and well over 100 subcommittees in each house.
## Footnote
The number and jurisdiction of these committees are of great interest to members of Congress.
136
What are the three kinds of committees in Congress?
* Standing committees
* Select committees
* Joint committees
## Footnote
Joint committees include conference committees that resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of a bill.
137
What is the role of the conference committee?
To resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of a bill before final passage.
## Footnote
The committee is made up of representatives and senators.
138
What is the typical ratio of Democrats to Republicans on a committee?
It roughly corresponds to their ratio in the House or Senate.
139
What are exclusive committees in the House?
* Budget
* Appropriations
* Rules
* Ways and Means
* Energy and Commerce
* Financial Services
## Footnote
Members may not serve on any other committee except for Budget.
140
How many major committees can a senator serve on?
No more than two major committees.
## Footnote
This rule may be ignored in practice.
141
How did the selection of committee chairs change in the 1970s?
Committee chairs began to be elected by secret ballot within the majority party instead of being appointed based on seniority.
142
What significant changes did Republicans implement when they took control of the House in 1995?
* Eliminated some committees
* Changed powers of committee chairs
* Imposed term limits on committee chairs
* Banned proxy voting
## Footnote
These reforms strengthened some powers while limiting others.
143
What is the role of Congressional staff members?
They perform various important tasks, including assisting members of Congress and fulfilling constituent requests.
144
What is the Congressional Research Service (CRS)?
A service that provides politically neutral information and responds to requests by members of Congress.
## Footnote
It is part of the Library of Congress.
145
What does the Government Accountability Office (GAO) do?
Investigates policies and makes recommendations on almost every aspect of government.
## Footnote
It has about 3,000 employees.
146
How is a bill introduced in the House?
By handing it to a clerk or dropping it in a box.
147
True or False: The president can introduce legislation in Congress.
False.
## Footnote
Only a member of Congress may introduce a bill.
148
What happens to a bill if it is not passed within one session of Congress?
It is dead and must be reintroduced during the next Congress.
149
What is a key factor that gives advantages to opponents of new policy in Congress?
The complexity of congressional procedures.
150
What is the typical staffing situation in Congress as of today?
Around 19,600 staff members, a decline of more than one-quarter since the mid-1990s.
151
Fill in the blank: Members of Congress often deal with each other through _______.
staff intermediaries.
152
What is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO)?
Advises Congress on the likely impact of different spending programs and estimates future economic trends.
153
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
To work out differences between related bills passed by both chambers
## Footnote
A compromise version is sent to each chamber for final approval.
154
What can the president do with a bill passed by both houses?
Sign it into law or veto it
## Footnote
Congress may override a veto by a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.
155
What is a simple resolution?
An expression of opinion to settle procedural matters in either the House or Senate.
156
What is a concurrent resolution?
An expression of opinion that requires approval from both the House and Senate but not the president.
157
What is a joint resolution?
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses and the president.
158
Where must all bills for raising revenue originate?
In the House of Representatives.
159
What is the role of the Ways and Means Committee?
To handle tax bills, making it a particularly powerful committee.
160
What happens to most bills introduced in Congress?
They die in committee.
161
What is a discharge petition?
A device allowing a House member to bring a bill to the floor after 30 days in committee.
162
What is the quorum in the House of Representatives?
218 representatives.
163
What is a Christmas-tree bill?
A bill with many riders attached to it.
164
What is the cloture rule used for in the Senate?
To end or limit debate on a measure.
165
What is double tracking?
A procedure to keep the Senate functioning during a filibuster.
166
What is a voice vote?
A voting procedure where members shout 'yea' or 'nay'.
167
What is a division vote?
A voting procedure where members stand and are counted.
168
What is a roll-call vote?
A voting procedure where members answer 'yea' or 'nay' to their names.
169
How has the process of voting in Congress changed since 1973?
An electronic voting system has been implemented to speed up roll-call votes.
170
What has contributed to the increase in filibusters since the mid-20th century?
The introduction of double tracking has made filibustering less costly.
171
What is the significance of the number of cloture votes in Congress?
It indicates the increase in the use of filibusters to block legislation.
172
What is a restrictive rule in the House?
An order that permits certain amendments but not others during floor consideration.
173
What is a closed rule?
An order that sets a time limit on debate and prohibits amendments on the floor.
174
What is an open rule?
An order that permits amendments from the floor during consideration.
175
What has changed in the decorum of Congress in recent years?
Members have become more personal in their criticisms of one another.
176
What is the role of the Committee of the Whole in the House?
To debate and amend bills, but not to pass them.
177
What are the two types of votes used in the House of Representatives?
Voice vote and division vote
## Footnote
A voice vote consists of members shouting “yea” or “nay”; a division vote involves members standing and being counted.
178
What is required to ensure a roll-call vote in the House?
One-fifth of House members present must request it.
179
How does the Senate vote?
By voice or by roll call; they do not use teller votes or electronic counters.
180
What must happen if a bill passes the House and Senate in different forms?
The differences must be reconciled.
181
What is a conference committee?
A committee formed to iron out major differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.
182
What is the requirement for decisions made in a conference committee?
Approval by a majority of each delegation.
183
What happens to a vetoed bill?
It returns to the house of origin for a potential override.
184
How many votes are needed to override a presidential veto?
Two-thirds of those present, provided there is a quorum.
185
What has been observed about congressional productivity in recent decades?
Legislative output has often slowed or declined.
186
Which Congresses passed the fewest bills in the post-World War II era?
The 112th (2011–2013) and 113th (2013–2015) Congresses.
187
What is one argument regarding divided government and legislative productivity?
Divided government decreases the passage of far-reaching and costly legislation.
188
What impact have staff cuts had on Congress's ability to legislate?
It may have hampered its ability to legislate and oversee agencies.
189
What role does a policy entrepreneur play in the legislative process?
They help get ideas on the policy agenda and navigate the legislative process.
190
Who is John M. Bridgeland?
A policy entrepreneur behind federal national service initiatives.
191
What was the USA Freedom Corps?
An initiative to expand national service programs.
192
What did the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act accomplish?
It authorized and revitalized community service projects.
193
What is pork-barrel legislation?
Bills that provide tangible benefits to constituents in exchange for votes.
194
What is the frank privilege in Congress?
The ability to send mail free of charge using a facsimile signature.
195
What does the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 require?
Congress must obey 11 important laws governing civil rights and labor standards.
196
What is the primary criticism of Congress regarding self-regulation?
It imposes new laws on others but is slow to apply those laws to itself.
197
What percentage of federal spending is typically attributed to pork?
About 2.5 percent.
198
True or False: The Senate allows for emergency replacement of senators by state governors.
True.
199
Fill in the blank: A bill that is amended in the last house to act may simply refer it back to the other house, which then _______.
accepts the alterations.
200
What is pork spending in the context of federal budgeting?
Pork spending refers to government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
## Footnote
Pork spending is often criticized as unnecessary, but it can also fulfill essential needs in certain areas.
201
What percentage of total annual federal spending was pork spending from 1993 to 2005?
About 2.5 percent, on average.
## Footnote
By 2015, pork spending was reported to be below 1 percent of total federal spending.
202
What are entitlement programs mentioned in the text?
Entitlement programs include health care programs like Medicaid and Medicare.
## Footnote
These programs contribute significantly to the federal budget deficit.
203
True or False: The main cause of the budget deficit was the increase in spending on pork projects.
False.
## Footnote
The deficit was primarily due to increased spending on entitlement programs without a corresponding increase in taxes.
204
What is the role of pork in Congress according to the text?
Pork serves as a way to obtain consent and support from voters in a member's district.
## Footnote
It is seen as a necessary aspect of advocacy for constituents.
205
Fill in the blank: If you want to eliminate pork, you must eliminate ______.
Congress.
## Footnote
This implies converting it into a parliamentary system where votes are commanded rather than bought.
206
What is one alternative to pork spending mentioned in the text?
Bribery.
## Footnote
Bribery is considered wrong and primarily benefits only the individual member, unlike pork which can benefit voters.
207
What are the consequences of converting Congress into a tightly controlled parliament?
Members can do little to help constituents or defend against bureaucratic abuses.
## Footnote
They also cannot effectively investigate the executive branch.
208
How does the text define the relationship between pork and citizen-oriented Congress?
The price of a citizen-oriented Congress is a pork-oriented Congress.
## Footnote
This suggests that to serve constituents effectively, some level of pork spending is necessary.
