Quiz III

Question 1

What is the problem with checks and balances?

Answer 1

“Separation of powers” suggests that each branch has exclusive powers with specific responsibilities, but that’s not true–more of a blending.

Question 2

What are concurrent powers?

Answer 2

They suggest that it’s difficult for one branch to function without another (like gears on a watch working together).

Question 3

Which branch is the primary policy institution?

Answer 3

Congress

Question 4

What are the Congressional Functions?

Answer 4

1) Policy making/representation
2) Constituent service
3) Oversight

Question 5

What are the two basic roles in policy making/representation?

Answer 5

1) Delegate

2) Trustee

Question 6

What are delegates?

Answer 6

They’re more pronounced in the House than the Senate, and their representative decisions more thoroughly reflect the views of their states/districts.

Question 7

What are trustees?

Answer 7

Citizens of a jurisdiction who invest trust in the representative under the expectation that they’ll use their best judgment.

Question 8

Why are House members more often delegates? And Senate members trustees?

Answer 8

House members must be in tune with public opinion because of their two year term. Senators have more freedom with six years–more time to gain back public favor.

Question 9

What is constituent service?

Answer 9

Case work that’s done by House and Senate members regardless of party affiliation, and allows them to build relationships with the voters.

Question 10

What is pork barrel?

Answer 10

Federal money brought to the state/district in the form of grants, projects, etc.

Question 11

What is Oversight?

Answer 11

When congress watches over the executive branch.

Question 12

Why is Oversight a thing?

Answer 12

Congress has to maintain accountability in order to be re-elected, but officials in the executive branch are appointed by the president and don’t have to worry about re-election. This keeps them in check.

Question 13

What are congressional hearings?

Answer 13

Mostly mundane ones to reinforce the monitoring function. Only scandals are well-publicized (like NSA, IRS, and Benghazi.)

Question 14

What is the General Accountability Office (GAO)?

Answer 14

Reports that generally trigger hearings, regularly read by congressional staff.

Question 15

Why are the Senate and House of Representatives significantly different?

Answer 15

The House is closer to the people and must be re-elected every two years. The Senate starts equal to each other because it’s a smaller body, and they must be knowledgeable on foreign policy.

Question 16

What are the requirements for the House of Representatives?

Answer 16

Age: 25
Citizenship: 7 years
Resident of respective state/district

Question 17

What are the requirements for the Senate?

Answer 17

Age: 30
Citizenship: 9 years
Resident of respective state/district

Question 18

What is descriptive representation?

Answer 18

Belief that representatives should be able to represent the whole population, not just a narrow percentage of it.

Question 19

What is substantive representation?

Answer 19

It’s more important that interests are being represented than who is doing the representing.

Question 20

What are some characteristics of the House of Representatives?

Answer 20

1) Must initiate all revenue bills; must pass all articles of impeachment
2) 435 members
3) Two year term
4) Usually smaller (than the Senate) constituencies
5) More centralized power; stronger leadership
6) Less prestige (than the Senate)
7) More influential on budget
8) Small turnover
9) Seniority determines power
10) Limited debate

Question 21

What are some characteristics of the Senate?

Answer 21

1) Must give “advice and consent” to many presidential nominations; must approve treaties; trues impeachment officials
2) 100 members
3) Six year term
4) Usually larger (than the House) constituencies
5) Less centralized; weaker leadership
6) More prestige (than the House)
7) More influential on foreign affairs
8) Moderate turnover
9) Seniority doesn’t determine power – collegiality
10) Unlimited debate

Question 22

What are incumbents?

Answer 22

Those already holding office. In congressional elections, incumbents usually win.

Question 23

What is case work?

Answer 23

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get.

Question 24

What is bicameral legislature?

Answer 24

A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S. Congress and all state legislatures except Nebraska’s are bicameral.

Question 25

What is the House Rules Committee?

Answer 25

The committee in the House of Representatives that reviews most bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

Question 26

What is a filibuster?

Answer 26

A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill. Sixty members present and voting can halt a filibuster.

Question 27

What is (the role) of the Speaker of the House?

Answer 27

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Question 28

What is (the role) of the majority leader?

Answer 28

The principal partisan ally of the Speaker of the House, or the party's manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes in behalf of the party's legislative positions.

Question 29

What are whips?

Answer 29

Party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.

Question 30

What is (the role) of the minority leader?

Answer 30

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

Question 31

What are standing committees?

Answer 31

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.

Question 32

What are joint committees?

Answer 32

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.

Question 33

What are conference committees?

Answer 33

Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a bill.

Question 34

What are select committees?

Answer 34

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate Investigation.

Question 35

What is legislative oversight?

Answer 35

Congress's monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.

Question 36

What are committee chairs?

Answer 36

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.

Question 37

What is the seniority system?

Answer 37

A simple rule for picking committee chairs, in effect until the 1970s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled the chamber became chair, regardless of party loyalty, mental state, or competence.

Question 38

What is a caucus?

Answer 38

A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Many are composed of members from both parties and from both houses.

Question 39

What is a bill?

Answer 39

A proposed law, drafted in legal language. Anyone can draft a bill, but only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can formally submit a bill for consideration.