Government Chapter on Congress and Committees

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Questions and Answers

How can interest groups influence Congress?

By keeping scorecards to rate members' votes

By providing sample legislation to members of Congress

By placing former congressional staffers in lobbying positions

All of the above (correct)

What is the difference between a public bill and a private bill?

Public bills apply to everyone in a jurisdiction.

How has impeachment been influenced by constitutional language in U.S. history?

The vague 'high Crimes and Misdemeanors' clause has allowed the process to be used for political reasons.

Which of the following ways are comparable between the House Ways and Means committee and the joint committee that deals with taxation? (Select all that apply)

They are both permanent committees. Signup and view all the answers

What powers do committees and subcommittees have?

They have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, compel testimony, and bring criminal charges for contempt and perjury. Signup and view all the answers

What is a constituency?

The residents in the area from which an official is elected. Signup and view all the answers

What does bicameral mean?

Having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses. Signup and view all the answers

What is a delegate in Congress?

A representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency. Signup and view all the answers

What is a trustee in Congress?

A representative who votes based on what he or she thinks is best for his or her constituency. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociological representation?

A type of representation in which representatives have the same racial, gender, ethnic, religious, or educational backgrounds as their constituents. Signup and view all the answers

What is agency representation?

A type of representation in which a representative is held accountable to a constituency if he or she fails to represent that constituency properly. Signup and view all the answers

What is incumbency?

Holding the political office for which one is running. Signup and view all the answers

What are term limits?

Legally prescribed limits on the number of terms an elected official can serve. Signup and view all the answers

What is apportionment?

The process that allocates congressional seats among the 50 states after every decennial census. Signup and view all the answers

What is redistricting?

The process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

The apportionment of voters in districts to give unfair advantage to one racial or ethnic group or political party. Signup and view all the answers

What is patronage?

The resources available to higher officials for making appointments or conferring favors. Signup and view all the answers

What is pork barrel?

Appropriations made by legislative bodies for local projects, often created for re-election purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a private bill?

A proposal in Congress to provide a specific person with some kind of relief. Signup and view all the answers

What is a conference in Congress?

A gathering of House Republicans every two years to elect their House leaders. Signup and view all the answers

What is a caucus (political)?

A normally closed political party business meeting of citizens or lawmakers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Speaker of the House?

The chief presiding officer of the House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Majority Leader?

The elected leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Minority Leader?

The elected leader of the minority party in the House or Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a whip in Congress?

A party member responsible for coordinating the party's legislative strategy and counting votes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Influence of Interest Groups on Congress

Interest groups utilize scorecards to evaluate congressional voting on specific issues.
They provide sample legislation to aid congressional members.
Staffing former congressional staffers in lobbying positions enhances their influence.

Types of Legislative Bills

Public bills affect the entire jurisdiction, while private bills address specific individuals or entities.

Impeachment and Constitutional Language

The term "high Crimes and Misdemeanors" is vague, allowing impeachment to be applied for political motivations.

House Ways and Means Committee vs. Joint Taxation Committee

Both committees are permanent and typically have chairpersons chosen by seniority.
They share the authority to report on legislation.

Powers of Committees and Subcommittees

Committees can subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and compel testimony, holding power to charge for contempt and perjury.

Constituency Defined

Constituency refers to the residents within the electoral area represented by an official.

Bicameral Legislature

A bicameral legislature has two chambers, contrasting with a unicameral system.

Delegates vs. Trustees

Delegates vote in accordance with their constituents' preferences, whereas trustees base their votes on what they believe is beneficial for their constituency.

Sociological and Agency Representation

Sociological representation means representatives share demographics with their constituents.
Agency representation holds representatives accountable for adequately representing their constituents.

Incumbency and Term Limits

Incumbency refers to holding the political office of interest.
Term limits restrict the number of terms an elected official may serve.

Apportionment and Redistricting

Apportionment occurs post-census to allocate congressional seats among states.
Redistricting involves redrawing election districts and reallocating legislative representatives.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of voter district boundaries to advantage a particular racial, ethnic group, or political party.

Patronage and Pork Barrel Spending

Patronage involves resources for appointments and special favors to support political allies.
Pork barrel spending refers to unnecessary appropriations for local projects aimed at securing local electoral support.

Legislative Processes

A private bill proposes relief for specific individuals, like immigration exemptions.
A conference is a biannual meeting of House Republicans to elect leaders.

Political Caucus

A caucus is a closed meeting for party members to select candidates, strategize, or address legislative decisions.

Leadership in the House

The Speaker of the House is the chief officer, influencing legislative agendas and member roles.
The Majority Leader leads the majority party, while the Minority Leader heads the minority party.
Whips coordinate party strategy, support for legislation, and vote counting.

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Description

This quiz covers the influence of interest groups on Congress, the types of legislative bills, and the impeachment process. Additionally, it explores the roles of various congressional committees and the defined powers they hold. Test your understanding of these crucial components of the legislative process.