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PS365 - The Legislative
Process
Monday, 8 May 2000
Professor Renka
PS365 Final Examination – Spring 2000
Essay (100 points): Answer one of the following questions. You’ll need approximately 2 to 2.5 pages with normal margins. Be sure to cite appropriate sources. Due Date: Friday, May 12, by 5:00 p.m.
1. We’ve discussed whether the changes instituted by the House Republicans in 1995 were major or minor. Which changes, if any, are properly labeled as major ones? Which changes are minor ones? And finally, are there any small changes that may prove to have major or important unintended effects?
2. The House has an array of restrictive rules for use by the majority party, whereas the Senate has only “two rules: unanimous consent, and exhaustion.” Would you recommend a change in the Senate’s rules to resemble those that prevail in the House? Whatever you propose, consider it first as if you were a majority party Member of the Senate, and then as if you were a minority party Member.
3. What are the possible interpretations to place upon a floor vote cast by a Member of Congress? In light of this, what is your judgment of the value of standard ‘report cards’ issued by some interest groups to assess individual Members? And what is the difference between sincere voting and sophisticated voting?