Question

The importance of having a blocking bill at the top of the calendar in the Texas Senate is that ______. a) it allows the Senate to choose the order in which it will take up bills on the calendar b) it prevents minorities from blocking legislation from the floor c) it increases the likelihood that bills will have to be amended to pass d) it reduces the influence of the president of the Senate on the legislative process e) it increases the power of the majority party in the legislative process

Answer 1

A blocking bill in the Texas Senate allows the senate to effectively manage the legislative agenda, by controlling the timing and order of the consideration of bills.

Step-by-step explanation:

The importance of having a blocking bill at the top of the calendar in the Texas Senate is principally that it allows the Senate to choose the order in which it will take up bills on the calendar. Known as a 'strategic placeholder', a blocking bill is utilized to manage the legislature by slowing down the passage of other bills or controlling the order of legislation. It is put at the top of the calendar by the Calendar Committee. This means that bills below the blocking bill on the calendar cannot be considered until the blocking bill is passed or removed. It does not aim to prevent minorities from blocking legislation from the floor, or necessarily increase the likelihood that bills will have to be amended to pass. Rather, it is a tool to manage the legislative agenda and determine the timing and order of bill consideration.

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