Congressional Structures and Their Impact on Policymaking Process

The video delves into the structures, powers, and functions of Congress, focusing on how these elements affect the policymaking process. It covers the leadership roles in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the use of committees, and the legislative process in each house. The video also explains how a bill becomes a law and discusses the federal budget, including mandatory and discretionary spending.

What is the primary role of the Speaker of the House?

• To draft federal budget proposals

• To recognize who can speak and make committee assignments

• To lead the majority party in the Senate

• To preside over the Senate

Who is the President of the Senate according to the Constitution?

• The Speaker of the House

• The Vice President of the United States

• The President Pro Tempore

• The Majority Leader of the Senate

What is a standing committee?

• A temporary committee formed for a specific purpose

• A committee that remains from session to session

• A joint committee involving members from both houses

• A committee that only deals with budgetary issues

Which committee in the House is known as the 'gatekeeper' for legislation?

• The Ways and Means Committee

• The Rules Committee

• The Joint Committee on Printing

• The Appropriations Committee

What is the purpose of a discharge petition in the House?

• To bring a bill out of committee for a floor vote

• To extend debate time on a bill

• To assign a bill to a specific committee

• To veto a bill before it reaches the floor

What is a filibuster in the Senate?

• A method to fast-track a bill

• A prolonged speech to delay legislative action

• A vote to end debate on a bill

• A committee meeting to revise a bill

What is the purpose of the cloture rule in the Senate?

• To assign a bill to a committee

• To end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote

• To extend debate indefinitely

• To veto a bill

What is the main difference between mandatory and discretionary spending?

• Mandatory spending is for education, while discretionary is for infrastructure

• Mandatory spending is required by law, while discretionary is debated annually

• Discretionary spending is for defense only, while mandatory is for healthcare

• Mandatory spending is optional, while discretionary is required by law

What is 'log rolling' in the context of Congress?

• A process of adding amendments to a bill

• A technique for drafting budget proposals

• A method of delaying a bill

• An agreement between legislators to support each other's bills

How does Congress typically cover deficit spending?

• By printing more money

• By increasing taxes or borrowing

• By reducing discretionary spending

• By cutting mandatory spending