Members of Congress receive the free use of the mail system to communicate with constitutes, and machines that duplicate a member's signature in the real ink. What are these privileges called?
Franking privileges
100
Individuals who already hold office and usually win congressional elections are called?
Incumbents
100
What is a bicameral legislature?
Bicameral legislature is a legislature divided into two houses
100
A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristics are called?
causes (congressional)
100
A ____ is a proposed law, drafted in precise, legal language
bill
200
The United States House of Representatives has how many members?
435
200
The key to ensuring an opponent's defeat is not having more ___ than the opponents.
money
200
Chief among leadership positions in House of Representatives is the ______.
Speaker of the House
200
What is the process of monitoring the bureaucracy and its administration of policy called?
legislative oversight
200
Who do the members of Congress depend on for everything from information and advice to scheduling and negotiating with other members of Congress?
staff
300
What is the most prominent characteristic of a congressperson's job?
Hard work
300
What three primary activities increase the probability of an incumbent's reelection?
advertising, credit-claiming, and position-taking
300
The U.S Congress is bicameral, as is every American state legislature except ______.
Nebraska
300
______ play dominant roles is scheduling hearing, hiring staffs, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills.
Committee chairs
300
A bill is introduced by a member and assigned to a committee, which usually refers to a ______.
subcommittee
400
Despite their gains in recent congressional elections, ___ are the most underrepresented demographic group in Congress.
women
400
Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals by cutting through bureaucratic red tape is known as _____.
Casework
400
An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills except revenue, budget, and appropriate bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House is known as _____.
House Rules Committee
400
What committees are formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms?
Conference committees
400
Lobbyists play an ____ role in the legislative process.
important
500
Members of Congress cannot claim _____ that is, representing constituents by mirroring their personal, politically relevant characteristics.
descriptive representation
500
What is the list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions called?
pork barrel
500
A tactic by which opponents of a bill use their right to unlimited debates as a way to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill is known as _____.
filibuster
500
What are the three important staff agencies of Congress?
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
500
Where does the Rules of Committee sends the bill after if it issues a rule governing debate on the House floor?