Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

A US senator gets an item inserted into the federal budget, which allocates $6 million for building a ski lift at a resort in his home state. This is known as?

1. A. A filibuster

2. B. Pork barrel legislation

3. C. Logrolling

4. D. Senatorial courtesy

The correct answer is: B. Pork barrel legislation

The scenario presented refers to "pork barrel legislation," which involves the appropriation of government spending for localized projects that are primarily intended to benefit a specific constituency, often to gain political favor. In this case, the allocation of $6 million to build a ski lift in the senator's home state is a prime example of pork barrel spending, as it addresses a particular need or interest in that state while potentially not serving a broader national interest. This type of legislation often gets criticized for prioritizing local projects over pressing national issues. It typically represents a way for legislators to bring funds back to their districts or states, helping them to showcase their effectiveness to constituents and aiding in their re-election efforts. Other options represent different legislative concepts. A filibuster concerns the tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay a vote, while logrolling involves mutual agreements between lawmakers to support each other's projects. Senatorial courtesy refers to the tradition that allows senators from a state to block nominations and appointments to federal positions from that state, which does not apply to the context of budget allocations for local projects.