Chapter 12 Quiz 3rd Block

The correct answer is "already holding office". Incumbents refer to individuals who currently hold a particular position or office. They are already in power and are seeking re-election or continuation in their current role. This term is commonly used in politics to describe elected officials who are running for another term in office.

The US House of Representatives has 435 members. This is because the number of representatives in the House is based on the population of each state. Each state is allocated a certain number of representatives, with the total number of representatives in the House being fixed at 435. This ensures that each state is represented proportionally based on its population size.

The Constitution specifies that members of the House must be 25 years of age, while senators must be 30 years of age. This means that in order to be eligible to serve in the House of Representatives, a person must be at least 25 years old, and in order to be eligible to serve in the Senate, a person must be at least 30 years old.

Oversight refers to the process of monitoring and supervising the bureaucracy and its administration of policies. It involves ensuring that government agencies and officials are carrying out their duties effectively and in accordance with the law. Oversight is an important part of maintaining transparency, accountability, and preventing abuse of power within the bureaucracy. It allows for the identification of any potential issues or inefficiencies in the implementation of policies and provides an opportunity for corrective measures to be taken.

Descriptive representation refers to the practice of representing constituents by mirroring their personal, politically relevant characteristics. This means that representatives aim to have similar backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives as their constituents in order to better understand and advocate for their interests. This form of representation is believed to enhance democratic legitimacy and ensure that diverse voices are heard in the political process. It goes beyond simply living in the same geographical area as constituents and involves actively understanding and reflecting their concerns and values.

All of the options listed (Agriculture, Armed Services, Judiciary, and Ways and Means) are examples of House standing committees. House standing committees are permanent committees that are responsible for specific areas of legislation and oversight. They play a crucial role in the legislative process by conducting hearings, drafting and reviewing bills, and making recommendations to the House of Representatives. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of these" because all of the options listed are examples of House standing committees.

This answer suggests that the myth about members of Congress is that they are overpaid, underworked, corrupt, and ineffective. This implies that the general perception is that members of Congress receive high salaries, do not put in enough effort, engage in corrupt practices, and are not effective in their roles.

The correct answer is "all of these." Caucuses in Congress play a crucial role in pressuring committees to hold hearings, advocating for their preferred legislation, and mobilizing votes for their favored legislation. They serve as influential groups within Congress that work together to advance their shared interests and goals.

Members of Congress have the authority to formally submit bills for consideration. As part of their legislative role, members of Congress have the power to propose and introduce new legislation. This means that they can draft bills and present them to their respective chambers (the House of Representatives or the Senate) for consideration and potential passage into law. This process allows members of Congress to play a significant role in shaping the legislative agenda and addressing the needs and concerns of their constituents.

According to the framers, Congress was considered the true center of power in American politics. This suggests that the framers believed that the legislative branch held the most significant influence and authority in governing the country. This view aligns with the principles of checks and balances and the separation of powers, as outlined in the United States Constitution. By granting Congress the power to make laws, levy taxes, and oversee the executive branch, the framers intended for the legislative branch to be the primary governing body in the American political system.

Oversight is not one of the primary activities that members of Congress engage in to increase the probability of their reelection. Oversight refers to the responsibility of Congress to monitor and supervise the executive branch and ensure that laws are being implemented effectively. While oversight is an important function of Congress, it is not directly related to increasing the probability of reelection. The three primary activities for this purpose are advertising, credit claiming, and position taking. Advertising helps to raise awareness and promote the accomplishments of the member, credit claiming involves taking credit for positive outcomes and services provided to constituents, and position taking refers to publicly advocating for specific policies or positions to align with the preferences of their constituents.

Articles of impeachment must be passed by the House. This is because the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings against federal officials, including the President. Once the House passes the articles of impeachment, they are then sent to the Senate for trial. Therefore, the correct answer is the House.

Challengers receive more PAC money than incumbents. This statement is false because incumbents, who are already in office, tend to receive more PAC money than challengers. Incumbents have a proven track record and established relationships with PACs, making them more attractive to receive contributions. Challengers, on the other hand, often struggle to gain the same level of financial support from PACs due to their lack of incumbency and name recognition.

Lobbyists provide members of Congress with all of these. Lobbyists are individuals or groups who advocate for specific interests and try to influence the decisions made by lawmakers. They provide information and political intelligence to help lawmakers make informed decisions. They may also promise financial support for future reelection efforts, which can help lawmakers secure campaign funding. Additionally, lobbyists have the potential to generate public support for lawmakers by mobilizing their constituents and advocating for their positions. Therefore, all of these options accurately describe the role of lobbyists in providing support to members of Congress.

In order for a bill to be sent to the president, it must be passed by both the House and the Senate. This means that both chambers of Congress need to approve the bill before it can move forward. A bill cannot become law unless it has the support of both the House and the Senate. A majority vote of Congress, regardless of which house the votes come from, is not sufficient for a bill to be sent to the president.

The correct answer is the insulation of members from political change. Critics argue that when incumbents are reelected in Congress, it creates a system where politicians become less responsive to the changing political landscape and the needs of the constituents. This insulation from political change can lead to a lack of fresh ideas, less accountability, and a perpetuation of the status quo. It also makes it harder for new candidates to challenge the incumbents and bring about meaningful change.

Oversight is indeed one of the checks that Congress exercises over the Executive branch. This refers to the power of Congress to review and monitor the actions and decisions of the Executive branch, including the President and executive agencies. Through oversight, Congress can hold the Executive branch accountable, investigate potential wrongdoing, and ensure that laws are being faithfully executed. This is an important mechanism of checks and balances in the U.S. government system.

Edmund Burke believed that legislators should act as trustees, meaning they should exercise their own judgment and make decisions based on what they believe is in the best interest of the people they represent. This implies that legislators should not simply follow the will of their constituents or act as instructed delegates, but rather use their own expertise and understanding to make informed policy decisions. This concept emphasizes the importance of legislators taking responsibility for their decisions and acting in the best interest of the people they serve.

Members of Congress use their virtually unlimited franking privileges to communicate with constituents. Franking privileges allow members of Congress to send mail to their constituents at no cost. This includes newsletters, updates on legislative activities, and responses to constituent inquiries. By utilizing franking privileges, members of Congress can effectively communicate with their constituents and keep them informed about their work in Congress. This helps to foster transparency and accountability in the democratic process.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is responsible for performing oversight functions by reviewing the activities of the executive branch to ensure it is complying with congressional intent. Additionally, the GAO sets government standards for accounting, provides legal opinions, and settles claims against the government. However, it does not analyze the president's budget and make economic projections about the performance of the economy. This task is typically carried out by other entities such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).