Chapter 4 Sec. 5 Part 1

Why might the House of Representatives choose to amend the rules of the House?

• if it hasn't been done recently

• to reflect changes in government and society

• because the President has asked them to

• if those rules govern them in an unfair way

Why is it important that the Speaker of the House and the president of the Senate vote to break a tie?

• so that the president of the Senate can participate in Senate business

• so that Congress is not at a standstill because of a single vote

• so that the Speaker can exercise legislative power

• so that Congress upholds tradition

Why is it important that party whips serve as a liaison between the party's leadership and rank-and-file members?

• because the whips tell the leadership the number of votes that can be counted on

• because the leadership doesn't often interact with the rank-and-file members

• because the rank-and-file members need guidance on which way they should vote

• because the whips let each group know what the other is doing

A committee chair could be out of touch with current public opinion by

• being too old.

• coming from a gerrymandered district.

• having served too many years in Congress.

• coming from a district in which they run unopposed.

It is important that Congress have standing committees

• so that Congress upholds its traditions.

• so that chairpersons can have a special role in Congress.

• so that members become knowledgeable on a particular topic.

• so that presiding officers don't have to deal with particular bills.

Why is congressional oversight an essential part of the lawmaking process?

• It allows Congress to ensure State governments are following current laws.

• It allows Congress to ensure federal agencies are following current laws.

• It allows Congress to interpret the Constitution.

• It allows Congress to interpret the Bill of Rights.

Why is it important for Congress to form a conference committee?

• so that a bill gets passed and there aren't further delays in Congress

• so that important parts of a bill get cut completely in order to satisfy both houses

• so that a bill is shorter and less complicated

• so that a bill gets passed and members of Congress can go home

Unlike the Speaker of the House, the president of the Senate

• is elected by the Senate and may only vote to break a tie.

• is not elected by the Senate and may vote on any matter in the Senate.

• is elected by the Senate and may vote on any matter in the Senate.

• is not elected by the Senate and may only vote to break a tie.

Party officers are selected by colleagues in both the Senate and the House. These legislative strategists are known in each party as the

• leaders of the Caucus.

• committee chairpersons.

• majority and minority leaders.

• select and joint committee leaders.

Only three States have their House representatives evenly divided. What does that mean?

• Those States have an equal number of Republican and Democratic representatives.

• Those States have evenly divided their population throughout their State.

• Those States will vote evenly on every issue.

• Those States have representatives that evenly divide time between the Capitol and their States.