Chapter 11 Quiz

Question 1

Filibuster

Answer 1

An attempt to defeat a bill in the senate by talking indefinitely thus preventing the senate from taking action on the bill

Question 2

Whips

Answer 2

A senator o representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking, rounds up members when important votes are to be taken, and attempts to keep a nose count on how he doing on controversial issues are likely to do

Question 3

Caucus

Answer 3

An association of members of congress created to advocate a political ideology or a regional ethnic or economic interest

Question 4

Conference Committee

Answer 4

Made up of representative and senators appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same piece of legislation before final passage.

Question 5

RIDER

Answer 5

An amendment on a matter unrelated to a bill that is added to the bill so that it will ride to passage through the congress. If it has a lot of riders it is called a christmas tree bill.

Question 6

Malapportionment

Answer 6

Drawing the boundaries of political districts so that districts are very unequal in population

Question 7

Marginal District

Answer 7

Political districts in which candidates elected to the HOR win in close elections, typically with less than 55% of the vote

Question 8

Open rule

Answer 8

an order from the House rules committee that permits a bill to be amended on the legislative floor

Question 9

Closed Rule

Answer 9

An order from the house rules committee that sets a time limit on debate and forbids a particular bill from being amended on the legislative floor

Question 10

Franking Privilege

Answer 10

The ability of members of congress to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their ace simile signature (Frank) for postage

Question 11

Sophomore Surge

Answer 11

An increase in the notes that congressional candidates usually get when they first run or reelection

Question 12

Public Bill

Answer 12

A legislative bill that deals with matters of federal concern.

Question 13

Private Bill

Answer 13

A legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal, or local matters rather than with general legislative affairs

Question 14

Cloture

Answer 14

A rule used by the senate to end or limit debate.

Question 15

Standing committee

Answer 15

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area.

Question 16

Safe District

Answer 16

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more.