Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is required to change the rules in the Senate to prevent a filibuster?
What is required to change the rules in the Senate to prevent a filibuster?
What is one reason why the majority does not change the rules to prevent a filibuster?
What is one reason why the majority does not change the rules to prevent a filibuster?
Why do senators in the minority value the filibuster?
Why do senators in the minority value the filibuster?
What is one key difference between caucuses and traditional interest groups?
What is one key difference between caucuses and traditional interest groups?
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What is a common complaint among Americans regarding Congress?
What is a common complaint among Americans regarding Congress?
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What would likely happen without the filibuster?
What would likely happen without the filibuster?
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Which of the following caucuses specifically advocates for the bourbon industry?
Which of the following caucuses specifically advocates for the bourbon industry?
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What is a common reason for members of Congress to rely on their personal staff?
What is a common reason for members of Congress to rely on their personal staff?
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In the context of congressional leadership, who is generally seen as possessing real power?
In the context of congressional leadership, who is generally seen as possessing real power?
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What kind of caucus is the Black Caucus primarily focused on?
What kind of caucus is the Black Caucus primarily focused on?
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What is one challenge faced by leadership in Congress?
What is one challenge faced by leadership in Congress?
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What can be inferred about senators' concerns regarding legislative processes?
What can be inferred about senators' concerns regarding legislative processes?
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Which caucus is known for focusing on fair regulations for Internet gambling?
Which caucus is known for focusing on fair regulations for Internet gambling?
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How many assistants does the average representative in Congress have?
How many assistants does the average representative in Congress have?
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What type of group is the Republican Study Committee classified as?
What type of group is the Republican Study Committee classified as?
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Which of the following statements about caucuses is true?
Which of the following statements about caucuses is true?
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What is one of the formal powers of the Speaker of the House?
What is one of the formal powers of the Speaker of the House?
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Which role is primarily responsible for scheduling bills in the House?
Which role is primarily responsible for scheduling bills in the House?
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What key function does the Speaker play in committee assignments?
What key function does the Speaker play in committee assignments?
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Why is informal clout important for the Speaker of the House?
Why is informal clout important for the Speaker of the House?
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Who often acts as the principal partisan ally of the Speaker in the House?
Who often acts as the principal partisan ally of the Speaker in the House?
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What effect can negative publicity have in a close election?
What effect can negative publicity have in a close election?
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What is a critical quality of a good Speaker of the House?
What is a critical quality of a good Speaker of the House?
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How does a federal census affect congressional representation?
How does a federal census affect congressional representation?
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What happens to incumbents when district boundaries are redrawn?
What happens to incumbents when district boundaries are redrawn?
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What is the primary responsibility of the majority leader, besides scheduling?
What is the primary responsibility of the majority leader, besides scheduling?
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What is the significance of committee assignments for members of the House?
What is the significance of committee assignments for members of the House?
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In which year did significant Republican losses in the Senate and House occur?
In which year did significant Republican losses in the Senate and House occur?
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Which statement about open seats in elections is true?
Which statement about open seats in elections is true?
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What is a common result of a political 'tidal wave' during elections?
What is a common result of a political 'tidal wave' during elections?
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Which factor is least likely to contribute to competition for an open seat?
Which factor is least likely to contribute to competition for an open seat?
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What typically leads to turnover in the membership of Congress?
What typically leads to turnover in the membership of Congress?
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What is the primary role of most congressional staffers?
What is the primary role of most congressional staffers?
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How many interns typically work in members' offices on Capitol Hill during the summer?
How many interns typically work in members' offices on Capitol Hill during the summer?
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What percentage of House staffers work in their members' local constituencies?
What percentage of House staffers work in their members' local constituencies?
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What is a significant difference in the responsibilities of Senate staff compared to House staff?
What is a significant difference in the responsibilities of Senate staff compared to House staff?
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Which activity is NOT typically performed by congressional staff?
Which activity is NOT typically performed by congressional staff?
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What role do committee staff play in the legislative process?
What role do committee staff play in the legislative process?
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How do members of Congress increasingly interact with each other?
How do members of Congress increasingly interact with each other?
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What is one of the legislative functions performed by personal staff?
What is one of the legislative functions performed by personal staff?
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What role do committee members typically serve regarding the bills after they leave the committee room?
What role do committee members typically serve regarding the bills after they leave the committee room?
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What is legislative oversight primarily concerned with?
What is legislative oversight primarily concerned with?
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During oversight hearings, what materials are agency heads likely to bring?
During oversight hearings, what materials are agency heads likely to bring?
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How can Congress exert pressure on agencies during oversight?
How can Congress exert pressure on agencies during oversight?
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What might a committee do when reviewing an agency's budget?
What might a committee do when reviewing an agency's budget?
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In the context of committees, who can serve on the conference committee when differing versions of a bill pass in the House and Senate?
In the context of committees, who can serve on the conference committee when differing versions of a bill pass in the House and Senate?
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What kind of expertise do committee staff members typically have?
What kind of expertise do committee staff members typically have?
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Why might committees grill agency heads during oversight hearings?
Why might committees grill agency heads during oversight hearings?
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Study Notes
The Representatives and Senators
- Congress's tasks are becoming more difficult, requiring representatives and senators to make complex judgments on various issues such as nuclear waste, trade, and healthcare reform.
- The job of member of Congress involves long hours, travel, fund-raising, and partisan disagreements.
- Despite the demands, many people desire the position.
- Members of Congress earn a high salary and benefits.
- The backgrounds of members of Congress are often from high-status occupations with substantial incomes.
- Members of Congress are not typical Americans in terms of their occupation, race/ethnicity, gender, and age distribution.
- There are more men than women and more white individuals in Congress.
Congressional Elections
- Incumbents are individuals who currently hold office.
- Incumbents are highly successful at winning reelection.
- The success of incumbents can be attributed to several factors, including name recognition, fundraising advantages, and favorable constituent demographics.
- Incumbents who run for reelection almost always win.
- Party affiliation is a major factor in congressional elections.
- Challengers often have less funding and name recognition.
- The incumbent's position in their district also holds an advantage to their reelection.
How Congress Is Organized to Make Policy
- The US congress is a bicameral legislature, divided into two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- Each state receives two senators and the number of representatives is determined by population.
- Both houses must agree on a bill before it becomes a law.
- Congress is organized into committees responsible for different policy areas. These committees hold hearings and make revisions to bills.
- The House Rules Committee plays a significant part in organizing the floor action on bills in the house.
The Committees and Subcommittees
- Congressional committees handle bills in various policy areas.
- Each house has its own standing committees with members who specialize in various policy areas.
- Committees hold hearings for investigation and overseeing the executive branch.
- Committees control the congressional agenda, and guide legislation.
- Standing committees, joint committees, conference committees, and select committees all serve various purposes within the congressional process.
Congressional Staff
- Members of Congress rely on staff to gather information, draft legislation, conduct research, and communicate with their districts.
- Personal staff work in the member's personal offices and assist with constituent services and legislative functions.
- Committee staff support committee activities by preparing reports, conducting research, and scheduling hearings.
Party Polarization
- The ideology of members of Congress is driving increased political division.
- Party leaders are very influential in managing the legislative process.
- Increasing polarization makes it more difficult for Congress to agree on issues .
- Congressional effectiveness has been eroded by increasing division among parties.
- There is often a conflict between the desire of members to be responsive to constituents and to make good public policy.
Presidents and Congress
- The president's ability to influence congressional decision-making is limited by the separation of powers.
- Presidents try to shape legislative agendas.
- Presidential influence can be enhanced by party affiliation and the size of the president's electoral coalition.
Lobbyists and Interest Groups
- Lobbyists and interest groups actively seek to influence legislators' decisions on policy matters.
- They provide policy information, political intelligence, and financial aid.
- Lobbying efforts can exert a significant influence on the legislative process.
Understanding Congress
- Congress is a powerful and complex institution.
- Constituents' desires, special interests, and their own ideologies play an important role in members' decisions.
- Congress is often seen as a representative body.
- Congress is criticized for being too responsive to certain interests and failing to make needed reforms.
- Congress holds a critical role in American democracy and impacts the scope of government.
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