2.3 Congressional Behavior

• What does Congressional Behavior refer to?

  Actions, strategies, decisions
• One key factor influencing Congressional Behavior is party affiliation
• Constituents' needs drive representation and responsiveness in Congress.
• What motivates personal policy goals in Congress?

  Legislative initiatives, agenda
• The goals of members of Congress include re-election, policy influence, and power within Congress
• Members of Congress balance satisfying voters for re-election with influencing policy and gaining power.
• How does party affiliation influence congressional voting decisions?

  Voting along party lines
• Congressional voting decisions are guided by personal ideology
• Interest groups can influence congressional voting decisions through advocacy and resources.
• Order the primary functions of political parties in Congress.

  1️⃣ Party Leadership

  2️⃣ Committee Assignments

  3️⃣ Legislative Agenda
• What is the impact of party leadership in Congress?

  Unified voting patterns
• Committee assignments in Congress are based on party needs and seniority
• Match the type of interest group with its focus:

  Economic ↔️ Promoting business interests

  Public Interest ↔️ Advocating for societal causes

  Single-Issue ↔️ Focusing on a specific issue
• What are some techniques used by interest groups to influence policymakers?

  Information, contributions, mobilization
• Interest groups can increase civic engagement but may also lead to policy bias.
• Lobbying techniques include providing information, offering campaign contributions, and mobilizing grassroots
• Interest groups can only increase civic engagement and provide specialized expertise.

  False
• What does "Congressional Behavior" refer to?

  Actions of Congress members
• Party affiliation shapes legislative priorities and voting patterns
• Match the factor with its impact on Congressional Behavior:

  Constituents' Needs ↔️ Drives representation and responsiveness

  Committee Assignments ↔️ Influences specialized knowledge and legislative influence

  Interest Groups ↔️ Provides resources and advocacy
• Personal policy goals can motivate legislative initiatives and agenda setting.
• What are the three primary goals of members of Congress?

  Re-election, policy influence, power within Congress
• One primary goal of members of Congress is to shape legislation and public policy
• Members of Congress often balance their need to satisfy voters with their desire to influence policy.
• Match the factor influencing voting decisions with its impact:

  Party Affiliation ↔️ Shapes voting patterns along party lines

  Constituency Concerns ↔️ Represents and addresses constituent needs

  Interest Groups ↔️ Provide resources and advocacy

  Ideology ↔️ Guides decisions based on personal beliefs
• What are the primary roles of political parties in Congress?

  Leadership, committee assignments, legislative agenda
• Party leadership in Congress directs legislative strategy and coordinates members' actions
• Interest groups aim to influence public policy to benefit their members or causes.
• Match the type of interest group with its focus:

  Economic ↔️ Promoting business interests

  Public Interest ↔️ Advocating for societal causes

  Single-Issue ↔️ Focusing on a specific issue
• What are common types of congressional ethics violations?

  Conflict of interest, bribery, misuse of funds
• Public opinion polls help members of Congress understand constituent views.
• How do social media and public discourse influence Congress?

  Provide real-time feedback