Chapter 12 Quiz 4th Block

The US House of Representatives has 435 members. This number is fixed and does not change. Each state is allocated a certain number of representatives based on its population, with the total number of representatives capped at 435. This ensures that each state has proportional representation in the House.

Incumbents are individuals who are already holding office. They are currently in a position of power or authority and are seeking reelection or continuing in their current role. This term is commonly used in politics to refer to politicians who are currently serving in a particular office and are seeking to retain their position in an upcoming election. Incumbents have the advantage of name recognition and experience, which can often give them an edge over their opponents.

Descriptive representation refers to representing constituents by mirroring their personal, politically relevant characteristics. This means that elected officials strive to reflect the demographic characteristics and experiences of the people they represent. By doing so, they can better understand and advocate for the needs and concerns of their constituents. This type of representation aims to ensure that diverse voices and perspectives are heard in the decision-making process, leading to more inclusive and responsive governance.

Oversight refers to the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policy. It involves ensuring that government agencies and officials are acting in accordance with the law and carrying out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently. This can include conducting investigations, holding hearings, and providing accountability for the actions of government entities. Oversight is an important aspect of maintaining transparency and preventing abuse of power within the bureaucracy.

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 individuals who wish to serve in the House of Representatives must be at least 25 years old, while individuals who wish to serve in the Senate must be at least 30 years old. This requirement ensures that individuals who hold these positions have reached a certain level of maturity and life experience before representing the people in these important roles.

Oversight is not one of the three primary activities that members of Congress engage in to increase the probability of their reelection. The three primary activities are advertising, credit claiming, and position taking. Oversight refers to the responsibility of monitoring and supervising the executive branch and its agencies, which is a separate function of Congress aimed at ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations. While oversight is an important role of Congress, it is not directly linked to increasing the probability of reelection.

Members of Congress have the authority to formally submit bills for consideration. As part of their legislative duties, members of Congress have the power to propose and introduce legislation in the form of bills. This is a crucial step in the legislative process, as bills must be formally submitted before they can be debated, amended, and voted upon. The ability of members of Congress to initiate legislation is a fundamental aspect of their role in the democratic process and allows them to address issues and concerns on behalf of their constituents.

The framers of the American Constitution believed that Congress was the true center of power in American politics. They designed the Constitution to give Congress significant authority and responsibilities, such as making laws, declaring war, and overseeing the executive branch. The framers intended for Congress to be the primary institution that represents the people and exercises their will. This belief in the centrality of Congress aligns with the principles of checks and balances and the separation of powers, which are fundamental to the American system of government.

Challengers receive more PAC money than incumbents. This statement is false because typically, incumbents, who are already in office, receive more PAC money than challengers. Incumbents have a track record and established relationships with PACs, making them more attractive for contributions. Challengers, on the other hand, often struggle to gain financial support from PACs as they are perceived as having a lower chance of winning.

The correct answer suggests that a myth about members of Congress is that they are overpaid, underworked, corrupt, and ineffective. This implies that there is a common misconception or stereotype about the characteristics and abilities of members of Congress, which may not necessarily be true.

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 the bill needs to go through the legislative process in both chambers of Congress and receive majority support in each. Only when the bill has successfully passed through both houses can it be sent to the president for approval or veto.

Lobbyists provide members of Congress with all of these. Lobbyists play a crucial role in the legislative process by providing information and political intelligence to members of Congress. They also promise financial support for future reelection efforts, which can be influential in shaping lawmakers' decisions. Additionally, lobbyists have the potential to generate public support for certain issues or policies, further enhancing their impact on the legislative process.

Articles of impeachment must be passed by the House. The House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings against federal officials, including the President. Once the House passes articles of impeachment, they are essentially charging the official with committing "high crimes and misdemeanors." The Senate then holds a trial to determine whether the official should be removed from office. Therefore, while the Senate plays a role in the impeachment process, the articles must first be passed by the House.

Edmund Burke believed that legislators should act as trustees, meaning they should use their own judgment and knowledge to make policy decisions that they believe are in the best interests of the people they represent. This concept suggests that legislators should not simply follow the instructions of their constituents or act as delegates, but rather exercise their own independent judgment and expertise. By viewing legislators as trustees, Burke emphasized the importance of their responsibility to make informed decisions on behalf of the people they represent.

Caucuses in Congress are groups of legislators who share common interests or goals. They often press committees to hold hearings on topics related to their interests, in order to gather information and support for their preferred legislation. Additionally, caucuses work to mobilize votes among their members and other legislators to push forward their favored legislation. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of these," as caucuses engage in all of these activities to advance their agenda in Congress.

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 Washington, D.C. This helps to foster transparency, build relationships with constituents, and address their concerns and needs.

Oversight is indeed one of the checks that Congress exercises over the Executive branch. This refers to the power of Congress to monitor and review the actions of the Executive branch, including its agencies, departments, and officials. Through oversight, Congress can investigate government activities, hold hearings, request documents and information, and ensure accountability and transparency in the Executive branch. This system of checks and balances is an essential aspect of the separation of powers in the United States government.

All of the options listed (Agriculture, Armed Services, Judiciary, Ways and Means) are examples of House standing committees. House standing committees are permanent committees that are responsible for reviewing and considering bills, conducting investigations, and providing oversight in specific policy areas. These committees play a crucial role in the legislative process and help to ensure that proposed legislation is thoroughly examined before it reaches the House floor for a vote.

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. It also 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 performed by other organizations such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The correct answer is the insulation of members from political change. This means that when incumbents are continuously reelected in Congress, they become less responsive to the changing political climate and are less likely to be influenced by public opinion or new ideas. This can lead to a lack of fresh perspectives and a resistance to change within the political system.