Final answer:
Riders to repeal energy efficiency standards and reinstate travel restrictions to Cuba in 2011 were tied to a spending bill as part of Congressional negotiation tactics, reflecting the complex relationship between fiscal policy and politics influenced by factors such as protectionist sentiments, international relations, and national debt concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The riders to repeal energy efficiency standards for light bulbs and to reinstate travel restrictions from U.S to Cuba were tied to a spending bill in 2011 because they reflect broader political and fiscal strategies during negotiations in Congress. Oftentimes, such provisions are attached to must-pass spending bills to advance policies that may not pass on their own due to controversial nature or lack of broad support.
The political climate of the time, including protectionist sentiments following the recession, geopolitical relationships like those with Cuba, and heightened awareness of the national debt, all played roles in shaping these fiscal policies. As seen with the 2013 federal budget shutdown, fiscal policy is intricately linked to politics, and thus riders can be a tool to enact policies alongside necessary budgetary legislation.