Chapter 13 Reading Questions-Congress

  1. What are some of the benefits for members of Parliament compared to members of Congress?
  2. Where are the powers of Congress found in the Constitution?
  3. List five of the powers of Congress found in the Constitution.
  4. What type of legislature did the founders create? Why?
  5. Summarize the history of the House of Representatives (the six phases-p.320-321).
  6. What are some of the fundamental problems found in the House?
  7. What major changes have taken place in the Senate?
  8. What is Rule 22? When was the first time it was used successfully?
  9. What is the description for a typical member of Congress?
  10. How has sex and race changed in Congress from 1950-2007?
  11. Describe the gradual changes that have taken place with incumbency.
  12. What are some reasons why voters would select an incumbent candidate?
  13. Other than voting, how may members of Congress influence legislation?
  14. Summarize the three theories about how members of Congress behave.
  15. What are some points the author’s make that prove Congress is more polarized than ever before?
  16. Describe the party organization of the Senate in detail.
  17. Describe the party organization of the House in detail.
  18. What are the three theories about why voters seem to be “more partisan?”
  19. How has the number of caucuses changed over time?
  20. Where is most work in Congress completed?
  21. Describe the three major types of committees.
  22. How has the number of Congressional staff changed over time?
  23. What are some of the duties of Congressional staff?
  24. Describe the CRS, GAO, OTA, and CBO.
  25. Summarize the steps in how a bill becomes a law. (House, Senate, President)
  26. Describe the different types of bills and resolutions.
  27. Where does the life of most bills end? Why?
  28. What are the three ways that the House may bypass the Rules Committee?
  29. Describe how debates are handled in the House versus in the Senate.
  30. What are the different methods of voting used in Congress?
  31. What is pork-barrel legislation? Give examples.
  32. What was the purpose of the 1995 Bipartisan Congressional Accountability Act?
  33. What important changes did the 9/11 Commission recommend to Congress?

**Really read section on committee changes in the House and Senate on pgs.339-341

**Closely read/examine the charts found on the following pages:

p. 317, 320-321, 323, 334, 338, 340-341, 344-345, 348, 349, 351, 354, 356