Exam 2: The congress and legislatures

Congressional leadership roles in the Constitution

Not clearly defined; leadership positions like Speaker developed over time rather than being explicitly outlined.

Minority party strategy

Attempts to block or slow the majority’s agenda using tools like filibusters, messaging, and procedural tactics. 

Party leaders and media messaging

Leaders shape public opinion and coordinate party positions through media to influence both voters and members. 

Partisan responsibilities of party leaders

Maintain party unity, set the legislative agenda, and reward or punish members. 

Informational theory of committees

Committees exist to provide expertise and allow members to specialize in policy areas. 

Distributive theory of committees

Members join committees to secure benefits for their districts. 

Partisan theory of committees

Committees are controlled by the majority party to advance party goals. 

Committee seats and party ratios in the House

Majority party holds more seats on committees, reflecting chamber proportions. 

Committee chairs and party leadership

Chairs are from the majority party and control agendas, hearings, and bill movement. 

Decline of committee gatekeeping

Committees have less control as party leadership increasingly bypasses them. 

First step in the lawmaking process

Introduction of a bill into the House or Senate (placed in the “hopper” in the House). 

Suspension of the rules

A fast-track House procedure that limits debate and amendments for noncontroversial bills. 

Cloture

A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster. 

Filibuster and partisan polarization

The use of extended debate to delay legislation has increased with political polarization. 

Discharge petitions

A method to force a bill out of committee to the floor; rarely successful. 

Traditional rules vs. newer floor procedures

Traditional processes emphasized committees; modern procedures give more power to party leadership. 

Public voting record of members

All votes are recorded and used by voters, media, and interest groups to evaluate members. 

Best predictor of congressional voting

Party affiliation. 

Cue-givers and voting decisions

Trusted leaders or experts who guide members on how to vote when they lack full information. 

Amendment rules in the House and Senate

House rules are strict and controlled; Senate rules are more open and flexible. 

Speaker of the House and institutional power

The Speaker controls the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and floor procedures. 

Conditional party government

Party leaders are stronger when party members share similar ideological views. 

Legislators and party expectations

Members are expected to support party positions, especially on important votes. 

Party loyalty and leadership tools

Leaders use rewards (committee positions) and punishments to enforce party unity. 

Goals of lawmakers and committee assignments

Lawmakers seek reelection, influence, and policy success; committees help achieve these goals. 

Committee system theories

Explanations of committee behavior including informational, distributive, and partisan theories. 

Reasons members introduce legislation

To gain attention, help constituents, and claim credit.

Party cohesion in the modern Congress

Party unity in voting has increased due to polarization. 

Representation and party unity

Members must balance representing their district with supporting their party. 

Factors shaping congressional voting 

Party, ideology, constituency, and presidential influence

National vs. district pressures on members

Members balance national party demands with local constituent interests. 

1. What is the strongest predictor of how a member of Congress will vote? 
A. Constituency 
B. Ideology 
C. Party affiliation 
D. Interest groups 

C. Party affiliation

2. Which committee theory argues that committees help members become policy experts? 
A. Distributive theory 
B. Informational theory 
C. Partisan theory 
D. Electoral theory 

B. Informational theory 

3. What does cloture require in the Senate? 
A. Simple majority 
B. 2/3 vote 
C. 60 votes 
D. Unanimous consent 

C. 60 votes 

4. What is the purpose of a discharge petition? 
A. End debate in the Senate 
B. Force a bill out of committee 
C. Amend legislation 
D. Assign committee chairs 

B. Force a bill out of committee 

5. Which chamber has stricter rules for debate and amendments? 
A. Senate 
B. House of Representatives 
C. Both equally 
D. Neither

B. House of Representatives 

6. Under distributive theory, why do members seek committee assignments? 
A. To support party leadership 
B. To gain expertise 
C. To benefit their district 
D. To reduce workload 

C. To benefit their district 

7. What is a filibuster primarily used for? 
A. Speeding up legislation 
B. Delaying or blocking legislation 
C. Assigning committees 
D. Passing bills quickly 

B. Delaying or blocking legislation 

8. Who has major control over the House agenda? 
A. Senate Majority Leader 
B. President 
C. Speaker of the House 
D. Supreme Court 

C. Speaker of the House 

True or false: Committee chairs are usually members of the minority party. 

False

True or false: Party cohesion has increased in modern Congress. 

True

True or false: The Senate has more restrictive debate rules than the House. 

False

True or false: All congressional votes are private. 

False 

What is conditional party government? 

When party leaders are strong because members of their party share similar ideological views and support leadership decisions. 

Name two tools party leaders use to maintain party loyalty. 

• Committee assignments 

• Rewards/punishments (like support or loss of influence)

What is the first step in the lawmaking process?

Introduction of a bill (placed in the “hopper” in the House). 

What are cue-givers and why are they important? 

Cue-givers are trusted sources (like party leaders or experts) who guide members on how to vote when they lack full information. 

List two major factors (besides party) that influence congressional voting. 

• Ideology 

• Constituency 

• Presidential influence (any two)

What is one key difference between House and Senate amendment rules? 

The House has strict rules limiting amendments, while the Senate allows more open debate and amendments. 

FExplain how party polarization has affected the use of the filibuster.

As party polarization has increased, the filibuster has been used more frequently as a tool by the minority party to block or delay legislation. This has made it harder for bills to pass and increased gridlock in the Senate.