Legislative Branch

Question 1

Reapportionment

Answer 1

Redistribution of Congressional seats

Question 2

Gerrymandering

Answer 2

Drawing districts to favor one party

Question 3

Incumbency effect reasons

Answer 3

Name recognition, media, credit claiming, casework for constituents, visibility, fund-raising, experience, voting record

Question 4

Leadership in the House

Answer 4

Speaker, Majority leader, minority leader, Whips

Question 5

Speaker of the House duties

Answer 5

Assign bills to committees, control floor debate, appoint party members to committees

Question 6

Majority leader

Answer 6

Help plan party legislative program

Question 7

Whips

Answer 7

Direct members in voting, info, vote counts

Question 8

Senate leadership

Answer 8

Vice president, Pres. pro tempore, Majority, minority, whip

Question 9

Committee chairperson duties

Answer 9

Manage floor debate, set agendas, assign members, to subcommittees

Question 10

Standing committee

Answer 10

Permanent, specific policy matters

Question 11

Select committee

Answer 11

Temporary, specific purpose (Watergate)

Question 12

Joint committee

Answer 12

Both houses; may be select or perform routine duties

Question 13

Conference committee

Answer 13

Temporary, both houses, resolve differences on bill

Question 14

Caucuses

Answer 14

Informal groups who share common goals

Question 15

Role of Congress

Answer 15

Policy maker, representatives, constituent servant, franking privilege (send mail free), party member

Question 16

Powers of Congress

Answer 16

Expressed, implied, house elect pres in no majority, amendments, Senate tries impeachs, oversight power, house bring impeach charges, senate can make treaties, limited by Article I section 9

Question 17

Legislative tactics

Answer 17

Filibuster/cloture, pork-barrel, logrolling, riders, lobbying, legislative veto (ruled unconstitutional)

Question 18

Logrolling

Answer 18

Gain support (you vote me, I vote you)

Question 19

Influences on Congress

Answer 19

Constituents, party, lobbyists, interest groups, other lawmakers, president