Podcast
Questions and Answers
A filibuster allows members of the Senate to
A filibuster allows members of the Senate to
- Prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor (correct)
- Refer a bill to multiple committees
- Avoid a conference committee
- Call into question any action of the executive branch
- Add amendments to any bill at any time
A proposed piece of legislation is called a
A proposed piece of legislation is called a
- Bill (correct)
- Filibuster
- Referendum
- Proposal
- Cloture
A senator or representative running for re-election is called the
A senator or representative running for re-election is called the
- Delegate
- Constituent
- Elector
- Incumbent (correct)
- Trustee
Agencies in Congress designed to oversee administrative agencies and evaluate presidential proposals are called
Agencies in Congress designed to oversee administrative agencies and evaluate presidential proposals are called
Approximately what percentage of proposed bills die in committee?
Approximately what percentage of proposed bills die in committee?
As of 2012, how many women serve in the U.S. Senate?
As of 2012, how many women serve in the U.S. Senate?
Congress adjourns during a ten-day period after presenting the president with a bill, and the president takes no action. This is known as a
Congress adjourns during a ten-day period after presenting the president with a bill, and the president takes no action. This is known as a
Congress is a ______ legislature with ______ members.
Congress is a ______ legislature with ______ members.
Congressional organization is influenced by all of the following except
Congressional organization is influenced by all of the following except
Gerrymandering refers to
Gerrymandering refers to
How can a president's veto be overridden by Congress?
How can a president's veto be overridden by Congress?
How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?
How long is the term of office for a U.S. senator?
In recent years, approximately what percentage of House members seeking re-election won their race?
In recent years, approximately what percentage of House members seeking re-election won their race?
Pork-barrel legislation
Pork-barrel legislation
The determination of the time and structure of floor debate on a bill, in the House of Representatives, is up to the
The determination of the time and structure of floor debate on a bill, in the House of Representatives, is up to the
The idea of ______ identifies the best representative as the one who shares a similar racial, ethnic, religious, or occupational background with those he or she represents.
The idea of ______ identifies the best representative as the one who shares a similar racial, ethnic, religious, or occupational background with those he or she represents.
The larger, more heterogeneous constituencies and longer terms of Senators means that they are
The larger, more heterogeneous constituencies and longer terms of Senators means that they are
The need to divide the labor of legislation is best exemplified in what formal structure of Congress?
The need to divide the labor of legislation is best exemplified in what formal structure of Congress?
The process of allocating congressional seats among the fifty states is called
The process of allocating congressional seats among the fifty states is called
The role the House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a
The role the House of Representatives plays in impeachments can best be compared with that of a
Three factors related to the American electoral system affect who is elected to office in this country and what they do once they get there. Those factors are
Three factors related to the American electoral system affect who is elected to office in this country and what they do once they get there. Those factors are
When the House and the Senate coordinate two versions of the same bill, they will often use a ______ to obtain a single unified bill.
When the House and the Senate coordinate two versions of the same bill, they will often use a ______ to obtain a single unified bill.
Which idea of representation says that a legislator should be viewed as someone whom voters hire to represent their interests?
Which idea of representation says that a legislator should be viewed as someone whom voters hire to represent their interests?
Which of the following best describes a way in which the House differs from the Senate?
Which of the following best describes a way in which the House differs from the Senate?
Which of the following does not typically affect an individual's decision to run for elected office?
Which of the following does not typically affect an individual's decision to run for elected office?
Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?
Which of the following is the best definition of a constituent?
Which statement about a party unity vote is true?
Which statement about a party unity vote is true?
Who has the most real power in the Senate?
Who has the most real power in the Senate?
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Who is the Speaker of the House?
A filibuster is a parliamentary device found in the Senate but not the House.
A filibuster is a parliamentary device found in the Senate but not the House.
By the 2008 election, the representation of women and minorities in Congress was roughly comparable to their proportions in the general population.
By the 2008 election, the representation of women and minorities in Congress was roughly comparable to their proportions in the general population.
Congress may overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote by each house.
Congress may overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote by each house.
Oversight is an important legislative check on the executive branch.
Oversight is an important legislative check on the executive branch.
The number of seats in Congress changes as the population of the United States changes.
The number of seats in Congress changes as the population of the United States changes.
The Supreme Court has ruled that race could not be the predominant factor in creating electoral districts.
The Supreme Court has ruled that race could not be the predominant factor in creating electoral districts.
Study Notes
Filibuster and Legislative Processes
- A filibuster allows Senate members to prevent a vote on a bill by speaking continuously on the floor.
- A proposed piece of legislation is termed a bill.
- Congress faces a high bill death rate, with approximately 95% of proposed bills dying in committee.
Congressional Structure and Members
- Congress is a bicameral legislature comprising 535 members: 100 in the Senate and 435 in the House of Representatives.
- Incumbents are senators or representatives running for re-election.
- Women representation in the U.S. Senate as of 2012 was 20.
Legislative Procedures
- Congress can enact a pocket veto, which occurs when a bill is not addressed by the president within ten days of presentation, leading to its expiration.
- The House of Representatives' Rules Committee determines the time and structure for floor debates on bills.
- A conference committee is utilized to unify different versions of the same bill from the House and Senate.
Representation and Constituencies
- Sociological representation suggests that legislators who share similar backgrounds with voters best represent their interests.
- Agency representation views legislators as hired agents to represent constituents' interests.
- Constituents are individuals who reside in the district represented by a legislator.
Voting and Election Trends
- Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.
- Legislative turnover is greater in the House than the Senate, affecting stability and experience.
- In recent elections, approximately 95% of House members seeking re-election won their races.
Electoral Dynamics and Political Influence
- Gerrymandering involves manipulating electoral district boundaries for political advantage.
- The allocation of congressional seats among states is known as apportionment.
- Factors influencing electoral success include incumbency, fundraising ability, and party affiliation.
Leadership Roles and Party Dynamics
- The majority leader holds significant power in the Senate, unlike the more decentralized House.
- Party unity voting, reflecting party discipline, has varied over time, with notable high levels in certain years.
- The Speaker of the House is an elected leader from the majority party, chosen by all members.
Constitutional Checks and Balances
- Congress exercises oversight of the executive branch, serving as a legislative check on executive power.
- The Supreme Court has ruled against using race as the predominant factor in drawing electoral districts.
- The representation of women and minorities in Congress has not yet achieved parity with their proportions in the general population.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge with this multiple-choice quiz based on Chapter 12 of Posc 100. It covers key terms and concepts related to legislative processes, such as filibusters and bills. Perfect for students preparing for exams or needing a quick review.