Chapter 5: Section 2 + 3 Questions

Why are rules important?

because they help ensure fairness, to enable the legislature to conduct business, and to protect the minority

What are complex rules in the House geared towards?

moving legislation quickly once it reaches the floor

Because the membership in the House is so large, what must its members do?

organize themselves into smaller groups in order to accomplish their work efficiently

What are many procedures in Congress organized around?

the political party affiliation of members

What does the Speaker also do?

appoints the members of some committees, schedules bills for action, and refers bills to the proper House Committee

What is the majority whip’s job?

to watch how majority party-members intend to vote on bills, to persuade them to vote as the party wishes, and to see that party members are present to vote

What happens after the bill is introduced?

the speaker of the House sends it to the appropriate committee for study, discussions, and review

Why has the Rules Committee often been the Focus of political battles?

because it has the power to decide how and when legislation will be considered by the House

What can the Rules Committee help do?

resolve only dispute between the two committees

In the Senate what are the rules designed to do?

to make certain that all Senators have the maximum freedom to express their ideas

Who presides in the Absence of the Vice-President?

the president pro tempore

Who are the most important officers in the Senate?

the majority and minority leaders

How does the Senate bring bills to the floor?

by unanimous consent, a motion by all members present to set aside formal rules and consider a bill from the calendar

What do Senate rules now allow?

other matters to continue during a filibuster, weakening the filibuster’s effectiveness

What does the majority party control?

the flow of legislative work