Question

According to After Newtown, Issues, one of the major challenges in moving pubic policy after an emotional issue such as the Sandy Hook massacre, is

a. Congress is divided and is focused on winning elections
b. the President doesn't make a strong statement
c. no one wants to testify before Congress
d. other issues soon steal attention after the initial event
e. all of the above
f. a and d

Answer 1

The major challenges in moving public policy after events like the Sandy Hook massacre include a divided Congress and shifting public attention. The correct answer is options f. a and d, reflecting the difficulties in enacting gun control reforms amid partisan politics and changing public focus.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to After Newtown, Issues, one of the major challenges in moving public policy after an emotional issue such as the Sandy Hook massacre is that Congress is divided and is focused on winning elections, and that other issues soon steal attention after the initial event.

Essentially, the correct answer would be options f. a and d. A divided Congress is often caught up in partisan politics and elections, which can result in a lack of unified action on emotional and pressing issues like gun control. Additionally, the public's focus can shift quickly, causing potentially impactful events to fade from the policy agenda before meaningful change occurs.

This reflects the greater issues of polarization within American politics, as well as the transient nature of public attention and mood, which do not always align with the ability to enact significant policy changes. Although politicians are influenced by both foreign and domestic events, congressional approval and public policy are significantly affected by domestic events and the degree of party politics.