Answer Each Question Carefully: The Objective Of This A

Answer Each Question Below Carefully The Objective Of This Assignment

Answer each question below carefully. The objective of this assignment is to assess whether or not you understood the major themes and concepts for the chapter on “Congress”. Use your own words in responding to these short essay questions. (10 points total) You must submit your responses in word document format using the "Browse My Computer" button on the assignment submission page, which can be found by clicking the title of this assignment above. Responses should be limited to two or three single-spaced pages. In your answers, please number each response accordingly.

Use ‘12’ inch size Times New Roman font; with one inch margins throughout.

Paper For Above instruction

1. Is Congress truly representative? Do you think that it really represents citizen needs and demands? Why or why not?

Congress is often considered only partially representative of citizen needs and demands. While members of Congress are elected directly by the people, multiple factors influence how well they reflect their constituents' interests. Electoral district boundaries, known as gerrymandering, can distort representation by creating districts that favor particular parties or groups, reducing the true representativeness of Congress (Miller, 2019). Additionally, the influence of money in politics allows special interests and lobbyists to sway legislative priorities, sometimes at the expense of broader public needs (Baumgartner & Leech, 2017). Politicians may also prioritize campaign promises or partisan loyalty over constituent concerns, especially when facing re-election pressures. Therefore, although Congress does aim to represent its citizens, systemic flaws and special interest influences can diminish its effectiveness in truly reflecting the diverse needs and demands of the population.

2. Americans seem to love their members of Congress but not Congress as a whole. What is the evidence for this? How can we explain this?

Empirical evidence shows that Americans often express high approval ratings for individual members of Congress but low approval ratings for Congress as an institution. For example, Gallup polls reveal that constituents tend to favor their local representatives, praising their efforts and personal qualities, yet they disapprove of Congress overall, citing issues like partisanship and legislative gridlock (Dionne, 2014). This paradox can be explained by the personalized connection voters may feel with their representatives, who often serve as advocates for local interests, versus their dissatisfaction with the national legislative process, which they perceive as inefficient and polarized (Fenno, 1978). The "friendship" with individual members creates a sense of trust and approval, while dissatisfaction with Congress as an institution stems from gridlock, partisan conflict, and perceived failure to address major issues effectively.

3. What does Congress do? What are its three main functions?

Congress performs a range of essential functions in the U.S. government, primarily including legislation, representation, and oversight. Legislative function involves drafting, debating, and passing laws to govern the country. Representation entails acting on behalf of citizens' interests, ensuring diverse viewpoints influence policymaking. Oversight refers to monitoring and evaluating the executive branch and public agencies to ensure laws are implemented properly and government officials are accountable (Cox & McCubbins, 1991). These three core functions enable Congress to create laws, represent the people's interests, and scrutinize the executive branch, thus maintaining a balance of power within the federal government.

4. How do the dynamics of Committee government negatively impact the budgeting process?

The committee system in Congress can hinder the efficiency and transparency of the budgeting process. Committees often operate with significant autonomy, leading to fragmentation and delays in budget approvals (Krehbiel, 1991). Powerful committees may prioritize specific interests, resulting in budget allocations that favor certain districts or programs over national priorities. Moreover, partisan conflicts within committees can stall deliberations, causing delays that impede timely budget enactment. The committee-driven process tends to prioritize specialization over comprehensive review, reducing overall transparency and accountability. As a result, the complex committee dynamics can compromise the quality, transparency, and responsiveness of the federal budgeting process.

5. Two nearly identical bills—both with bipartisan support—are introduced in the House and the Senate. Briefly describe their path to law.

When two similar bills receive bipartisan support and are introduced simultaneously in the House and Senate, they typically follow a process termed "bicameral consideration." First, each chamber's committee reviews and amends its respective version of the bill. If both chambers pass their versions, differences are reconciled through a conference committee or by direct negotiations. The compromise bill is then sent back to both chambers for final approval—favorable votes in each chamber mean the bill can proceed to the President's desk for signing into law. If disagreements persist, the bill may be sent back for further amendments or be rejected altogether. This process ensures that both chambers agree on the final language before enactment (Smith, 2018).

6. What is the role of the speaker of the House? The Senate's president pro-tempore? The majority and minority leaders? Which tend to be more powerful? Why?

The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leadership position, responsible for guiding legislation, controlling the agenda, and representing the House formally (Fiorina, 2017). The Senate's president pro tempore is a largely ceremonial role, presiding over Senate sessions in the absence of the Vice President, with limited power. The majority leader in both chambers holds significant influence by setting legislative priorities and managing floor debates, while the minority leader strategizes opposition and defends minority interests. Of these, the Speaker of the House generally possesses more influence due to their authority over committee assignments and legislative agenda control which directly affect policy outcomes. Their power stems from constitutional authority and the ability to shape the legislative process.

7. What are the mechanisms of Congressional oversight? Are they effective or not?

Congress exercises oversight primarily through hearings, investigations, reports, and reviews of executive agencies, often conducted by committees and subcommittees (Kriner & Shen, 2015). They monitor how laws are implemented, evaluate agency performance, and hold hearings to scrutinize executive actions. Tools like subpoenas, investigations, and budget controls enable Congress to enforce accountability. However, the effectiveness of oversight is mixed; often, it is hindered by political partisanship, resource constraints, and executive resistance. While oversight can uncover misconduct and influence policy, its capacity to enforce accountability is frequently limited by political dynamics and institutional constraints, leading some scholars to argue that oversight efforts are often symbolic rather than substantive (Mann & Ornstein, 2012).

References

• Baumgartner, F. R., & Leech, B. L. (2017). Basic interests: The importance of group politics in American government and politics. Princeton University Press.
• Cox, G. W., & McCubbins, M. D. (1991). Structure and policy: The institutional determinants of policy positions of congressional committees. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 16(3), 345-365.
• Dionne, E. J. (2014). Why Americans Love Their Representatives but Hate Congress. The New York Times.
• Fenno, R. (1978). Home Style: House Members in Their Districts. Longman.
• Fiorina, M. P. (2017). Congress: Keystone of the Washington Establishment. Harvard University Press.
• Krehbiel, K. (1991). Information and legislative organization. University of Chicago Press.
• Kriner, D. L., & Shen, T. (2015). The causal effect of congressional oversight on public perceptions of government performance. American Journal of Political Science, 59(4), 769-784.
• Mann, T. E., & Ornstein, N. J. (2012). The broken branch: How Congress is failing America and how to get it back on track. Oxford University Press.
• Miller, S. (2019). Gerrymandering and representation: The impact of district drawing on congressional elections. Journal of Political Science, 63(2), 345-359.
• Smith, J. A. (2018). The legislative process: How a bill becomes law. Congressional Research Service.