AP U.S. Government Chapters 10 & 12

What is the subject of Federalist No. 10?

Factions; majority rule v minority rights

How does Madison propose to overcome the problem of factions?

The derivation of factions

What is the definition of an interest group?

An organization of people with a specific policy goal, or goals, who enter the policy process at one or more points, in one or more policy arenas, to try to achieve their goals. (All levels of government, All topics)

How do interest groups differ from political parties?

Interest groups tend to be policy specialists on one specific topic while parties tend to be policy generalists (lots of different issues)

What does the pluralist theory of interest group politics state?

Interest groups compete in the political marketplace.

( - Groups provide a key link between people and government
- Groups compete
- No group is likely to dominate
- Groups usually play by the rules of the game
- Groups weak in one resource can use another)

What is elitism?

Corporations hold tremendous power

(The fact that there are numerous groups proves nothing, because most groups are extremely unequal in power - most Americans agree with this - elitists believe lobbying is useless)

What criticisms do elite theorists have of pluralism?

Some groups are just generally too powerful, making the number of competing groups worth nothing (power is concentrated in the hands of the few)

What do hyperpluralists believe?

Interest groups have become so powerful that government ends up aiding everyone, leading to contradictions and deadlocks

Which groups make up the Iron Triangle?

Subgovernments are composed of interest group leaders of a particular policy, the government agency in charge of administering that policy, and the members of congressional committees and subcommittees handling that policy; they exercise a great deal of control over specific policy areas

What is the shared goal of the groups that make up the Iron Triangle?

Protecting their self-interests

Which factors affect the success of interest groups?

Size, intensity, and financial resources

What is a collective good? Know examples.

Something of value that cannot be withheld from a potential group member (ex: clean air, a tax write-off, and a raised minimum wage)

What are selective benefits? Know examples.

Benefits given only to group members (publications, discounts, and group insurance rates)

What advantage do single-issue groups have?

Intensity (single-issue groups include the NRA, Pro-life organizations, and more. People care a lot about these)

What is lobbying?

A "communication by someone other than a citizen acting on his or her own behalf, directed to a governmental decision maker with the hope of influencing his or her decision"

What functions do lobbyists play in the policymaking system?

Provide information and ideas to members of Congress (can also write legislation, offer PAC money, and more)

Who is lobbying aimed toward?

A government decision maker (someone who can help the interest group get what it wants)

What is electioneering?

Direct group involvement in the electoral process (helping to fund campaigns, getting members to work for candidates, and forming political action committees)

What are PACs? How do interest groups use them to influence politics?

An organization that solicits campaign contributions from individuals and distributes them to political candidates

How do interest groups attempt to influence the judicial branch?

Litigation (amicus curiae)

What is an amicus curiae brief?

Written arguments submitted to the courts in support of one side of a case

Why do interest groups use the strategy of "going public?"

Use advertising and public relations to enhance their image; makes the constituents change the Congresspersons' minds

Economic Interest Groups

Labor (better working conditions, higher wages, union) and business (Governmental regulations & Subsidies)

Equality Interest Groups

racial issues, gender issues, minority issues (examples: NAACP, NOW (National Organization of Women), ACLU, LGBTQ)

Consumer & Other Interest Lobbies

Product safety and special interests (American Forest and Paper Association, Associated Builders & Contractors)

What is a right to work law?

State laws that forbid the creation of union shops. These laws were specifically authorized by the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947


(UNION SHOPS: a provision found in some collective bargaining agreements requiring that all employees of a unionized business join the union within a short period of being hired and remain members as a condition of employment)

How do the income and occupations of Members of Congress compare to the American public?

Pretty much the elite in American society (Lawyers, former politicians, Ivy League Graduates, trust funds, family money)

What is the difference between descriptive and substantive representation?

Substantive representation, and so speak for the interests of the groups of which they themselves are not members (ex: Edward Kennedy)

Descriptive representation (representing constituents by mirroring their personal, politically relevant characteristics)

What is an incumbent?

Individuals already holding office

How do incumbency rates compare between the House and Senate? What explanations are offered for this difference?

Senators have greater competition than incumbent members of the House (aka more incumbents in the House --- voters are less likely to know the issue positions of their senators than their representatives --- people running for Senate are generally more well-known --- longer terms)

What is credit claiming?

Enhancing their standing with constituents through service to individuals enhancing their standing with constituents through service to individuals and the district (pork barrel and casework are included)

An example of casework by a member of Congress is
a. working with a caucus on a public policy that affects his or her constituents.
b. voting for a bill desired by constituents.
c. writing a newsletter to send out to constituents.
d. helping a constituent gain citizenship.
e. All of the above are true.

Helping a constituent gain citizenship

(everything is credit claiming, but only this is casework; definition: activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get)

In which ways are challengers in a Congressional election at a disadvantage compared to incumbents?

No franking privilege, must raise more money, less connections, less well known

Which of the following is NOT true about incumbents?
a. They usually have higher name recognition and visibility than their opponents.
b. They usually face very tough challengers, especially in races for the House.
c. They usually have their party's endorsement.
d. They usually have more money than their challengers.
e. They usually win elections.

They usually face very tough challengers, especially in races for the House

What consequences do high rates of incumbent reelection have in Congress?

Because incumbents win, MOCs gain more expertise
Sometimes, this means change is slow
If a seat is safe, constituents aren't heard as well
A large shift in votes is needed to affect the outcomes of most elections (especially in the House)

The fact that incumbents usually win reelection
a. allows representatives and senators to gain some expertise in dealing with public policy.
b. All are true
c. makes it more difficult for citizens to "send a message to Washington" with their votes.
d. insulates members of Congress from political change.
e. creates stability in the membership of Congress.

All are true

What are some ways in which incumbents may be unseated?

Challengers are naïve about their chances of winning
Rely on friends and local party leaders, who just tell them what they want to hear
An incumbent with a scandal or corruption becomes vulnerable
Redistricting (Two incumbents might have to fight)
Major political tidal waves (ex: 1994)

Why did the framers create a bicameral legislature?

To maintain the safety of the minority states (small states -- Senate) while giving some power to the majority (large states -- House)

A bicameral legislature is a legislature
a. with two houses, providing checks and balances on policymaking.
b. that must share power with a president, providing more efficient policymaking.
c. in which there are only two political parties.
d. in which incumbents have a better chance of being reelected, providing continuity in policymaking.
e. in which each state has two senators, providing equal representation of the states.

A

Which of the following is TRUE about the minimum age requirements for members of Congress set forth in the Constitution?
a. There are no age requirements for members of Congress.
b. One must be at least 30 years of age to serve in the Senate.
c. The age requirements are the same for the House and the Senate.
d. One must be at least 35 years of age to serve in either the House or the Senate.
e. One must be at least 21 years of age to serve in the House of Representatives.

B

What are the age, residency, and citizenship requirements to be a member of the House?

25, live in district, citizen for 7 years

What are the age, residency, and citizenship requirements to be a member of the Senate?

30, live in state, citizen for 9 years

How long are terms of office for members of the House?

2 years

How long are terms of office for members of the Senate?

6 years

How many total members are in the House?

435 members

How many total members are in the Senate?

100 members

How do the results of the federal census affect Congress?

Redistricting

Which factors may affect how a member of Congress chooses to cast their vote?

President, party, ideology, constituents

What is the function of the House Rules Committee?

Reviews most bills coming from committee before they go to the full House, sets time for debate

Does seniority matter more in the House or in the Senate? Why?

House (members serve shorter terms, so you want someone who knows what they're doing)

According to the Constitution, revenue bills must originate in the
a. Federal Reserve System.
b. Treasury Department.
c. Senate.
d. House.
e. Internal Revenue Service.

D

The Constitution gives the House of Representatives the power to
a. try impeached officials.
b. initiate all revenue bills.
c. ratify all treaties.
d. All of the above are true.
e. confirm presidential nominations.

B

Which of the following is TRUE of the Senate as compared to the House?
a. The Senate is more centralized and is characterized by stronger leadership.
b. The Senate is more influential in foreign affairs.
c. The Senate is more influential on the budget.
d. The Senate is smaller in number and less powerful and prestigious.
e. In the Senate, seniority is important in determining power.

B

Nominees to the United States Supreme Court must be confirmed by
a. the president.
b. either the House or the Senate.
c. the Senate.
d. both the House and the Senate.
e. the House.

C

Which of the following congressional offices is mandated by the Constitution?
a. House and Senate majority leader
b. President of the United States
c. Speaker of the House
d. All of the above are mandated by the Constitution.
e. President of the House

C

Which of the following is NOT a role or responsibility of the Speaker of the House?
a. Appointing the party's legislative leaders
b. Presiding over the House when it is in session
c. Assigning most bills to committees
d. Making committee assignments
e. Recommending which members should be expelled from the House for failure to support the party's positions on bills

E

Who is the president of the Senate? What is their sole power?

VP (Vice President), break ties

What is a filibuster?

A strategy unique to the Senate where opponents of a piece of legislations use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill. Sixty members present and voting can halt a filibuster on legislation.

Which of the following statements about the filibuster is FALSE?
a. The filibuster can tie up the legislative agenda.
b. The filibuster is used in both houses.
c. The filibuster is used to talk a bill to death.
d. Rules adopted over the years make it easier to close off debate and end a filibuster.
e. All of the above are true.

B

________ members present and voting can halt a filibuster by voting for cloture.
a. Seventy
b. Eighty
c. Seventy-five
d. Sixty
e. Fifty-one

D

The procedure used to cut off debate and end a filibuster is known as
a. cloture.
b. coattails.
c. franking.
d. overriding.
e. hushing.

A

Why are so many senators reluctant to use cloture?
a. For fear of setting a precedent to be used against them when they want to filibuster
b. Because it has always been used as a stepping stone to the Speaker's job, and once used, they may not get a second chance at the job
c. Because, in most cases, the House or Senate usually considers only the bills that obtain a favorable committee report
d. Because they have to stay in their positions to monitor the bureaucracy, otherwise there would be no congressional oversight
e. Because the size and complexity of today's government make it impossible for any one person to understand all the issues before the Senate

A

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the vice president.

Minority Leader (House and Senate)

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate (Pretty much a lot like the majority leader but they can't decide what actually makes it to the floor)

Party leaders who work with the majority or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party are called
a. whips.
b. filibusterers.
c. pork barrellers.
d. speakers.
e. PACs.

A

Most of the business of Congress takes place
a. in the Rules Committee.
b. during evening social functions.
c. in congressional districts.
d. in committees and subcommittees.
e. on the floor of the House and Senate.

D

Committees composed of members of both the House and the Senate, the purpose of which is to meet and iron out differences between bills, are called _______ committees.
a. standing
b. conference
c. joint
d. select
e. temporary

B

Appropriations, Judiciary, and Armed Services are all examples of ________ committees.
a. rule
b. standing
c. conference
d. joint
e. select

B

A ________ committee is one appointed for a limited, specific purpose, such as that set up to investigate the Watergate scandal.
a. special
b. standing
c. joint
d. select
e. conference

D

The House Committee on Ways and Means is a _________ committee.
a. conference
b. caucus
c. standing
d. joint
e. select

B

_____ committees draw their membership from both the Senate and the House.
a. Ad-hoc
b. Conference
c. Joint
d. Standing
e. Select

C

When the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill,
a. the House bill is changed to conform with the Senate bill.
b. the Senate bill is changed to conform with the House bill.
c. a joint/conference committee is appointed to resolve differences.
d. the president may select which bill to enact into law.
e. a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences.

C

Which of the following offices is responsible for making economic projections about the performance of the economy, the costs of proposed policies, and the economic effects of taxing and spending alternatives?
a. Congressional Budget Office
b. General Accounting Office
c. Ways and Means Committee
d. Congressional Research Service
e. Federal Reserve

A

The ____ is administered by the Library of Congress to provide nonpartisan studies and information to members of Congress.
a. Congressional Research Service
b. House Rules Committee
c. Congressional Budget Office
d. Government Accountability Office
e. House Ways and Means Committee

A

What are the roles of committee chairs? (What powers do they have?)

The most important influencers of the committees' agendas, committee chairs play the dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.

What is legislative oversight?

Congress's monitoring of the executive branch bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through committee hearings. Oversight grew as the government got bigger and more complex. People are busy, so this isn't always well done.

When members of Congress hold a hearing to question a cabinet member on how a law is being carried out, they are engaging in
a. filibustering.
b. congressional administration.
c. agenda setting.
d. legislative oversight.
e. casework.

D

Legislative ________ is the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policy.
a. oversight
b. overview
c. supremacy
d. stonewalling
e. franking

A

Who may write a bill?

Anyone

Who may introduce a bill on the floor of Congress?

A Representative or Senator

What is a pocket veto?

An indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

How may Congress override a presidential veto?

2/3 vote in both houses

When the House and the Senate pass different versions of the same bill,
a. the House bill is changed to conform with the Senate bill.
b. the Senate bill is changed to conform with the House bill.
c. a joint committee is appointed to resolve differences.
d. the president may select which bill to enact into law.
e. a conference committee is appointed to resolve differences.

E

If the full House votes on a conference committee version of a bill it is then
a. sent to the president.
b. referred to a joint committee.
c. referred to a committee for hearings, studies, and revisions.
d. sent to the House for debate.
e. sent to the Senate for approval.

A

The __________ helps Congress perform its oversight functions by reviewing the activities of the executive branch to see if it is following the congressional intent of the laws.
a. Government Accountability Office
b. Select Committee
c. Rules Committee
d. Congressional Research Office
e. Congressional Budget Office

A

Willing to suppress their own views, ignore those of their party's leadership, and disregard arguments of their colleagues in order to vote in accordance with constituents' wishes.

Delegate

Believes that each question must be decided on its own merits regardless of the views held by a majority of their constituents or any other group.

Trustee

Believes that their first allegiance is to their political party. Feels duty-bound to cast their votes in line with the party platform and the views of their party's leaders.

Partisan

Attempts to combine the delegate, trustee, and partisan roles. Balances their own view of what is best for their constituents or the nation, what is political pressures.

Politico

Which of the following statements about incumbency is FALSE?
a. Not only do more than 90 percent of incumbents seeking reelection win, but most win more than 60 percent of the vote.
b. Most incumbents running for reelection are victorious.
c. Most incumbents decide to run for reelection.
d. Incumbents tend to win even when challengers' positions are closer to voters' positions.
e. Most incumbents forgo the opportunity to run for reelection.

Most incumbents forgo the opportunity to run for reelection

What is party polarization? What trends in party polarization have affected Congress? What are some consequences of party polarization?