The studies counterplan, frequently used as a debate strategy by the negative, is unlikely to produce the desired effect in the United States Congress, its frequently mentioned target. First, Congress tends to move slowly, which implies that an optimal solution determined by a studies counterplan may not be adopted soon after the completion of the studies. Second, constituent pressure is unlikely to change Congressional attitudes on important issues. Constituents generally do not replace incumbents because voters are often uninformed about the issues. Paradoxically, when constituents are effective in altering Congressional attitudes, the result is often "irrational" policy. Third, Congress tends to respond in one of two ways to experiments on public policy. Either Congress may enact the policy before completion of the studies, or Congress may ignore the results of the inquiries. Finally, Congress holds values that are likely to result in what debate judges would consider to be irrational policies. Thus, Congress is not likely to use the information provided by the studies counterplan, so the studies counterplan is a bankrupt policy. (TJ)