USVA GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 7 TEST ESSAYS

1. Explain how "your" bill passed through the various stages of the bill passage process. Give specifics on the "official" steps, the "hidden" steps, and the "factors for success". (take-home essay due on test date 1/10)
2. Explain how Congress handles tax and spending bills. Give specifics on the committees and procedures involved.
3. What factors must a member of Congress weigh concerning the decisions required of their job?
4. How do members of Congress help their constituents AND their district or state?

Concurrent resolution - first reading - House Ways and Means Committee - the closed rule - relationship between spending for uncontrollables and previous legislation - relationship between business and Republicans - relationship between Congressional support for foreign policy actions by the President and public opinion - PACs - caseworkers - federal grants and contracts as a source for federal money and jobs for states and districts - public bills - private bills - uncontrollables - examples of entitlements - powers of the appropriations committees - lobbyists - relationship between Democrats and social welfare programs - importance of federal grants and contracts to lawmakers - pork-barrel legislation - joint resolutions - hearings - methods of senatorial voting - line-item veto - taxes - relationship between a department spending money and congressional approval - entitlements - basis for the legal requirement to spending for uncontrollables - relationship between Congressional votes and the needs of their districts or state - influences on lawmaker's voting behavior - reasons lawmakers vote along party lines -