Structure and Functions of the U.S. Congress

1. Each state has 2 senators, each of whom serves a 6-year term. 2. Which term is used to indicate that a state is awarded congressional seats based on its proportion of the population? The apportionment is that a state is awarded congressional seats based on the portion of the population. 3. The Constitutional Convention created which form of legislature? Bicameral legislature with a 2 chamber legislature (the Senate and the House of Representatives) a. 4. In the House of Representatives, who is second in authority to the Speaker of the House? The Majority Leader a. 5. A conference committee is created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate. 6. Pork may aid the district of a member of Congress by Directing Federal funds or benefits to a specific district. a. 7. An elected official who votes the way his or her constituents would want is a delegate. a. 8. Whips serve what main function? counting votes and ensuring the party discipline within their party 9. The formal method for ending a filibuster is cloture; it requires the approval of sixty senators. a. 10.How might a bill become law if it has been pocket vetoed? Bill become reintroduced in the next session a. 11.Members of the House are apportioned to states based on Population. They serve two-year terms. a. 12.What does the Congressional Research Service do? Provides nonpartisan track progress of major bills and preps summaries of bills a. 13.Why were Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton impeached but not removed from office? A simple majority in the house led to the charges of wrongdoing but the senate trial failed to impeach a. 14.There are currently 435 members in the House of Representatives because the number of House members is fixed by law to ensure proportional representation. a. 15.What does Congress do during the appropriations process? Congress grants federal funds to federal agencies and programs a. 16.Congressional party unity is a significant measure of Partisan cohesion and discipline. Republicans meet to select leaders determine objectives a. 17.The Party Caucus is where members of Congress affiliated with a given party gather to select their leadership at the beginning of each term. a. 18.A select/Special committee is a temporary committee that is appointed for a specific purpose. 19.Which of the following statements about Americans’ congressional approval rating is accurate? They tend to fluctuate with public perception of Congress’s effectiveness and partisan gridlock a. 20.The vice president is the presiding officer of the Senate, as per the Constitution. a. 21.The president pro tempore (Majority Leader) is selected by the majority party to-preside over the Senate in the vice president absence. a. 22.The MAJORITY LEADER presides over the House of Representatives and is expected to smooth the passage of majority-backed bills. a. 23.According to the trustee model of representation, legislators are entrusted to Use their judgment and expertise to make decisions on behalf of their constitutes. a. 24.What is the purpose of a discharge petition? To vote on a House bill within an opposing committee. a. 25.After a bill is reported by a full committee in the House or Senate, it goes to the floor of the respective chamber for debate and a vote. a. 26.When is the staff of a member of Congress most likely to have an influence over how he or she votes on a given bill? The bill directly affects the district or constituency that the member represents. a. 27.What procedure limits debate of budget controversies to twenty hours, thereby ending the threat of a filibuster in the Senate? It it the reconciliation 28.Which of the following is an example of logrolling in Congress? Logrolling occurs when two members agree to support each other's bills in exchange for mutual support. 29.What is the typical path a bill follows through the House of Representatives? 1. Introduction 2. Committee referral 3.Subcommittee 4. Full committee report 5.full senate debate and vote 6. Conference committee, send to president a. 30.Assistance to a constituent in obtaining a social security check is a good example of constituent casework. a. 31.What is the typical path a bill follows through the Senate? 1. Introduction 2. Committee referral 3. Subcommittee 4. Full committee report 5. Full senate debate and vote 6. Conference committee, send to president a. 32.A senator wishes to inform the leadership of his or her objections to a bill (or nomination), signaling that he or she wishes to be consulted before further action is taken. What tactic should this senator use? HOLD a. 33.The House minority leader is elected by the minority party. 34.Which individual keeps close contact with all members of his or her party, counts votes for key legislation, prepares summaries of bills, and acts as a communications link within the party? Party WHIP 35.Which statement about incumbency is most accurate? Incumbents has a huge advantage in reelection 36.What does the Government Accountability Office do? Investigates how the federal governemnt spends taxpayer dollars 37.In the event of a major scandal, which kind of committee would be convened to conduct a special investigation? JOINT COMMITTEE a. 38.Which example best demonstrates a legislator acting according to a delegate view of representation? follows the public opinion of his/ hers constituency 39.Each of the following are interactions between Congress and the Judiciary that represent the U.S. system of checks and balances except Judicial review of congressional laws. a. 40.Senatorial Courtesy is a gesture of respect shown by the president to senators from the home state where a judicial vacancy occurs. a. 41.How are committee chairs chosen in the House When the democratic caucus and the Republican Confrence recommends members to serve on the committees a. 42.After the Revolutionary War, delegates to the Congress of the Confederation realized that they needed to create what type of government? Stronger central government. 43.U.S. senators were originally chosen by State legislature until the 17th amendment 44.A representative of the Cherokee Nation serves in the U.S. House of Representatives in what capacity? As a non-voting delegate 45.Representatives who act in the role of politico are most likely to vote Based on a combination of party lines, personal judgment, and constituent interest. 46.“Call time” refers to which activities by members of Congress? The time that members of congress spend fundraising by calling donors. 47.About 90% percent of congressional incumbents who seek reelection are successful. 48.The president’s influence on legislation is highest in times of national crisis or when public approval is high. 49.Especially since the 1930s, the presidency often has held the upper hand in institutional power. 50.During post–Civil War Reconstruction, passage of the Tenure of Office Act led to the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson.