Which statement best summarizes the public's view of Congress?

Which statement best summarizes the public's view of Congress?

• A. Congress as a whole is doing what the public wants even though individual members of Congress are not.
• B. Individual members of Congress are doing what their constituents want, but Congress as a whole is not.
• C. The public generally likes Congress because of its penchant for gridlock.
• D. The public is increasingly more approving of Congress as the scope of government gradually expands.

Answer: (B)

Public opinion often distinguishes between how a single member of Congress acts and how Congress as an institution functions. Voters tend to feel their own representative is responsive to local needs and aligned with constituents’ preferences, while they view Congress as a whole as gridlocked and less in tune with the public’s wishes. This combination makes the statement that individual members do what their constituents want, but Congress as a whole does not, the best summary of how the public typically sees Congress. The other options don't fit because they imply broad institutional approval, widespread liking of gridlock, or growing support as government expands, all of which contradict common public sentiment.

Public opinion often distinguishes between how a single member of Congress acts and how Congress as an institution functions. Voters tend to feel their own representative is responsive to local needs and aligned with constituents’ preferences, while they view Congress as a whole as gridlocked and less in tune with the public’s wishes. This combination makes the statement that individual members do what their constituents want, but Congress as a whole does not, the best summary of how the public typically sees Congress. The other options don't fit because they imply broad institutional approval, widespread liking of gridlock, or growing support as government expands, all of which contradict common public sentiment.