Consider each of the following features of congress (including some that may no longer apply) and discuss the policy implications of each.

Question

Does each: (a) lead to more or less logical and coherent policies? (b) Lead to more or less representation of various local and parochial interests? (c) make it easier or harder to pass legislation?
• Party voting in congress
• A strong speaker of the House
• A highly specialized committee structure
• Committee reforms that have taken power away from chairs
• Ideological caucuses
• Open meeting of committee
• Large staffs, including those of congress members, those of committee, and staff agencies
• Powerful support for the president in congress
• The filibuster
• The “closed rule”

Answer 1

Which following features?

Answer 2

• Party voting in congress
• A strong speaker of the House
• A highly specialized committee structure
• Committee reforms that have taken power away from chairs
• Ideological caucuses
• Open meeting of committee
• Large staffs, including those of congress members, those of committee, and staff agencies
• Powerful support for the president in congress
• The filibuster
• The “closed rule”