Question 1

Which legislative institution did the Founders believe would be most responsive to the public?

Accepted Answer

A)   the House of Representatives
B)   the president
C)   the Senate
D)   a conference committee
E)   a subcommittee

Question 2

Explain the standard view of how a bill becomes a law, referring to the key steps in both chambers in the proper order of the process. What other factors, aside from the standard view of how a bill becomes a law, also affect whether a bill becomes a law? Why is it that so few bills become law? Is the current system working or is reform needed?

Accepted Answer

The standard view of how a bill becomes ...

Question 3

The tension between being responsive to constituents but responsible to national interest contributes to Congress's image problem. This is because:

Accepted Answer

A)   it is interpreted as gridlock, and expectations are often impossible to meet.
B)   Congress will always choose the national interest over their constituents' interests.
C)   it leads to meaningless legislation.
D)   Congress will always choose their constituents' interest over the national interests.
E)   it leads to too much legislation.

Question 4

What is "descriptive representation"?

Accepted Answer

A)   legislators acting as though they have a simple mandate to carry out voter desires
B)   shared demographic traits between legislators and constituents
C)   legislators acting on behalf of collective, national interests
D)   legislators responding differently to constituents on the basis of how salient an issue is to the public
E)   legislators ignoring the needs of constituents B

Question 5

Why is the filibuster/vote of cloture an important legislative strategy for the minority party?

Accepted Answer

A)   It forces every member of the Senate to speak about the bill.
B)   It gives the majority party time to change key provisions in the bill before the vote.
C)   It allows the minority party to stop legislation with as few as 50 votes.
D)   It allows the minority party to stop legislation with as few as 41 votes.
E)   It provides positive media coverage for the majority party. D

Question 6

Compare and contrast the lawmaking process in the House and the Senate. How do the sizes of each body affect their functioning? How do the different processes in each chamber affect legislative outcomes? Some reform advocates have proposed eliminating the filibuster. Do you agree or disagree? Explain your argument.

Accepted Answer

The lawmaking process in the House and t...

Question 7

An example of the "________ model of representation" is a situation in which a legislator acts as though the legislator gives an electoral mandate on salient issues but looks after broader interests on complex issues.

Accepted Answer

A)   descriptive
B)   politico
C)   delegate
D)   balanced
E)   substantive

Question 8

According to the text, what is the minimum amount a challenger for a House seat must be able to spend to unseat an incumbent?

Accepted Answer

A)   $10,000
B)   $50,000
C)   $250,000
D)   $1 million
E)   $500 million

Question 9

The process of determining the boundaries of House districts every 10 years is known as:

Accepted Answer

A)   the census.
B)   apportionment.
C)   bicameralism.
D)   redistricting.
E)   franking.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT one of the built-in advantages that incumbents have over challengers?

Accepted Answer

A)   ability to purchase low-cost advertising from local television
B)   ability to send mail to constituents at no cost, touting legislative accomplishments
C)   the partisan bias of legislative districts
D)   media attention attained by virtue of their position
E)   ability to perform casework for constituents

Question 11

Members of Congress are primarily guided by a desire to ________, while being subject to the constraints of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   respond to constituent interests; institutional structures
B)   represent interest groups demands; campaign finance law
C)   pass good policy; having to please voters
D)   make money; campaign finance law
E)   gain influence in Washington; the law of diminishing returns

Question 12

The process of determining how many House districts each state gets is known as ________, while the process of determining how those districts look within the states is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   redistricting; gerrymandering
B)   gerrymandering; redistricting
C)   redistricting; apportionment
D)   apportionment; redistricting
E)   gerrymandering; apportionment

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a function of the whip system in Congress?

Accepted Answer

A)   gathering information
B)   planning overall party strategy
C)   coalition building
D)   disseminating information
E)   regular meetings to discuss legislative strategy

Question 14

Which of the following lists is correctly ordered?

Accepted Answer

A)   Member introduces a bill; one chamber takes floor action; conference committee version is approved.
B)   Conference committee approves a bill; member introduces bill; one chamberTakes floor action.
C)   Member introduces a bill; conference committee version is approved; oneChamber takes floor action.
D)   Member introduces a bill; president signs/vetoes bill; conference committeeVersion is approved.
E)   One chamber takes floor action; president signs/vetoes bill; conference committee version is approved.

Question 15

When legislators help constituents with problems they have with government agencies and programs, legislators are engaged in:

Accepted Answer

A)   policy representation.
B)   campaigning.
C)   advertising.
D)   casework.
E)   direct democracy. D

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a party position in the House?

Accepted Answer

A)   majority whip
B)   Speaker
C)   president pro tempore
D)   minority leader
E)   majority leader

Question 17

________ refers to the relative infrequency with which members of Congress are defeated in their attempts for reelection.

Accepted Answer

A)   filibustering
B)   incumbent advantage
C)   gridlock
D)   gerrymandering
E)   the electoral connection

Question 18

Because of the ________, only ________ of the Senate is up for reelection in every even-numbered year.

Accepted Answer

A)   two-year term; one-third
B)   six-year term; one-half
C)   two-year term; one-half
D)   six-year term; one-third
E)   four-year term; one-third

Question 19

Legislators spreading benefits as widely as possible is called ________; trading their support on a bill for someone's support on a different bill is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)   specialization; universalism
B)   reciprocity; specialization
C)   reciprocity; logrolling
D)   universalism; reciprocity
E)   specialization; logrolling

Question 20

Which of the following is an example of gerrymandering?

Accepted Answer

A)   placing two incumbents of the same party into one district
B)   keeping districts roughly equal in size
C)   trying to keep a single municipality in a district
D)   ensuring that all parts of a district are connected
E)   respecting traditional natural boundaries

Exam 11: Congress

Which legislative institution did the Founders believe would be most responsive to the public?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The standard view of how a bill becomes ...
View Answer

The tension between being responsive to constituents but responsible to national interest contributes to Congress's image problem. This is because:

Correct Answer
verified

What is "descriptive representation"?

Correct Answer
verified
B

Why is the filibuster/vote of cloture an important legislative strategy for the minority party?

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The lawmaking process in the House and t...
View Answer

An example of the "________ model of representation" is a situation in which a legislator acts as though the legislator gives an electoral mandate on salient issues but looks after broader interests on complex issues.

Correct Answer
verified

According to the text, what is the minimum amount a challenger for a House seat must be able to spend to unseat an incumbent?

Correct Answer
verified

The process of determining the boundaries of House districts every 10 years is known as:

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is NOT one of the built-in advantages that incumbents have over challengers?

Correct Answer
verified

Members of Congress are primarily guided by a desire to , while being subject to the constraints of .

Correct Answer
verified

The process of determining how many House districts each state gets is known as , while the process of determining how those districts look within the states is called .

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is NOT a function of the whip system in Congress?

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following lists is correctly ordered?

Correct Answer
verified

When legislators help constituents with problems they have with government agencies and programs, legislators are engaged in:

Correct Answer
verified
D

Which of the following is NOT a party position in the House?

Correct Answer
verified

________ refers to the relative infrequency with which members of Congress are defeated in their attempts for reelection.

Correct Answer
verified

Because of the , only of the Senate is up for reelection in every even-numbered year.

Correct Answer
verified

Legislators spreading benefits as widely as possible is called ; trading their support on a bill for someone's support on a different bill is an example of .

Correct Answer
verified

Which of the following is an example of gerrymandering?

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 11: Congress

Which legislative institution did the Founders believe would be most responsive to the public?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe standard view of how a bill becomes ...View AnswerShow Answer

The tension between being responsive to constituents but responsible to national interest contributes to Congress's image problem. This is because:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is "descriptive representation"?

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Why is the filibuster/vote of cloture an important legislative strategy for the minority party?

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe lawmaking process in the House and t...View AnswerShow Answer

An example of the "________ model of representation" is a situation in which a legislator acts as though the legislator gives an electoral mandate on salient issues but looks after broader interests on complex issues.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to the text, what is the minimum amount a challenger for a House seat must be able to spend to unseat an incumbent?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The process of determining the boundaries of House districts every 10 years is known as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT one of the built-in advantages that incumbents have over challengers?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Members of Congress are primarily guided by a desire to ________, while being subject to the constraints of ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The process of determining how many House districts each state gets is known as ________, while the process of determining how those districts look within the states is called ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT a function of the whip system in Congress?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following lists is correctly ordered?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

When legislators help constituents with problems they have with government agencies and programs, legislators are engaged in:

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Which of the following is NOT a party position in the House?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

________ refers to the relative infrequency with which members of Congress are defeated in their attempts for reelection.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Because of the ________, only ________ of the Senate is up for reelection in every even-numbered year.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Legislators spreading benefits as widely as possible is called ________; trading their support on a bill for someone's support on a different bill is an example of ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is an example of gerrymandering?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The standard view of how a bill becomes ...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
B

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
Answered by ExamLex AI
The lawmaking process in the House and t...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Members of Congress are primarily guided by a desire to , while being subject to the constraints of .

Correct Answer
verified

The process of determining how many House districts each state gets is known as , while the process of determining how those districts look within the states is called .

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
D

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Because of the , only of the Senate is up for reelection in every even-numbered year.

Correct Answer
verified

Legislators spreading benefits as widely as possible is called ; trading their support on a bill for someone's support on a different bill is an example of .

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified