Amanda Labrado

4/6/10
Homework #10

1. What is the most common way to get an entry-level job working on Capitol Hill?

The most common way to gain an entry level job on Capitol Hill is to work as an unpaid intern
for several months. (Miller 157)

2. Why do most Congressional staffers change to another profession after just a few years?

Most congressional staffers change to another profession after a few years because they get tired
of the “High-workload and the low pay”. (Miller 157)

3. Does a member of Congress answer his/her own mail?

No, the Legislative Correspondent “reads, and drafts responses” for them. (Miller 158)

4. List at least five of the main activities that Congresswoman Berkley engaged in during the
week Miller observed her.

a. Attending conventions
b. Staff meeting
c. Discuss bills
d. She votes
e. Lobbyist meetings

5. Why did the lobbyists at the luncheon the congresswoman attended think that Congressional
term limits would be a good idea?

The lobbyists figured if there were term limits put on legislators, the staff would gain power and
then term limits would be put on them causing the lobbyists to have all the power in the end.
(Miller 175)

6. Why does the House leadership give some of the seats on each committee to the opposition
party, rather than reserving them for all the members of their own party?

If they were to give seats to only their party, the opposing party would not cooperate AT ALL;
“they’d vote no on everything” (Miller 179)

7. When a member of Congress makes a speech on the floor of the House or holds a debate, is
the chamber usually packed with legislators? Explain.

Members of Congress usually do not waste their time “going to the floor” except to vote or make
speech. The chamber is usually not packed with legislators but with “empty seats and
stenographers”, and hardly ever are speeches made by members aired on TV only bits and pieces
to make a good impression on the public. (Miller 185-86)
8. Do members of Congress spend most of their time drafting and analyzing legislative
proposals? Explain.

No, they spend most of their time “trying to get re-elected” and visit with people who want their
problems addressed, then they visit with campaign contributors. (Miller 186-7)

9. What prevents lobbyists from lying to members of Congress?

Lobbyists don’t lie because they are scared of the possible consequence of losing their job and
respect. (Miller 189)

10.(a) Is the U.S. Congress more powerful or less powerful than legislatures in other
democracies?

The U.S. Congress seems to have more power than legislatures in other democracies.

(b) List at least five reasons for the differences in power.

a) Strong Bicameralsim (Hague 307)

b) Committees have more influence on legislature because they are well supported and they
specialize. (308)
c) Conference Committees
d) Congress has all the power over federal funds (Hague 315)
e) “detailed scrutiny” because of Congress’ “power of oversight”

11. In countries with bicameral legislature, how are the different versions of a bill passed by each
house reconciled?

“The amended bill [returns] to the lower chamber for further discussion”;however, it is possible
that the bill may go back and forth for quite a while until it is passed – perhaps years ‘til it is
passed – or it even might “never become a law” (Hague 314). Also possible is a “Special
Conference Committee” that can create a compromised bill and present it to the chambers to be
either rejected or accepted without “modification”. (Hague 314)

12. List at least three differences in the constitutional powers of the House of Representatives
and the Senate.

The House can Impeach while the Senate can only “try” the impeachments.

Only House can make revenue bills, while the Senate has the power to amend it.

The Senate can say when the Vice president may take the Presidents position.