STUDY GUIDE|^289CONGRESS’S PLACE IN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM
E Describe how the Founders envisioned Congress’s role. Pages 257–58
CONGRESS AND THE PEOPLE
E Explain how members of Congress represent their constituents and how elections hold members accountable.
Pages 258–71
SUMMARY
The Constitution gave Congress vast enumerated powers,
making it the “fi rst branch” of government. The bicameral
structure represented a number of compromises between
competing interests among the Founders—notably, the
compromises included diff erences in constituency size,
election mechanisms, and length of terms. While Congress
has long dominated day-to-day politics, the president has
become considerably more powerful over time.
KEY TERMS
bicameralism (p. 257)
pork barrel (p. 258)
SUMMARY
Despite low approval ratings for Congress, most voters like
their members of Congress. Members work hard to strike a
balance between responding to constituents and acting in
the nation’s best interest. In the balance, they prioritize dis-
trict interests over national policy. Incumbents are re-elect-
ed at high rates because they can relate to their constituents
well, generally succeed in raising money for their political
campaigns, and perform lots of constituency service.
KEY TERMS
descriptive representation (p. 259)
substantive representation (p. 259)
trustee (p. 259)
delegate (p. 259)
politico (p. 260)
STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS- What did the Seventeenth Amendment do?
a) repealed prohibition
b) granted women’s suff rage
c) gave senators six-year terms
d) allowed for direct election of senators
e) lowered the voting age to 18 - Why do senators have longer terms than members of
the House of Representatives?
a) to reduce the number of candidates in each election
b) to make sure senators are tied to public sentiment
c) to provide opportunities for pork barrel legislation
d) to make elections easier to administer
e) to make sure that senators are somewhat insulated
from the people
casework (p. 262)
electoral connection (p. 262)
redistricting (p. 263)
apportionment (p. 263)
gerrymandering (p. 265)
gridlock (p. 267)
incumbency advantage (p. 268)PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS- How would most members of Congress classify their
representation style?
a) trustee
b) politico
c) delegate
d) consulate
e) advisor
PRACTICE ONLINE with WWNORTON.COM/STUDYSPACE
Diagnostic Quiz & Key Term Flashcards for This Chapter