2.2 Flashcards
hold
a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill
cloture rule
enables and requires a two-thirds supermajority to stop debate on a bill
filibuster
to block a nomination or to let the time run out on a deadline for voting on a bill.
germane
amendments that are directly related to the legislation under consideration
logrolling
trading votes to gain support for a bill
omnibus bill
includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs
pork-barrel spending
funds earmarked for specific purposes in a legislator’s district
rider
nongermane amendments that are often added to benefit a member’s own agenda or programs or to enhance the political chances of the bill
sponsor
the member who introduces a bill and typically assumes authorship
unanimous consent
the approval of all senators
Committee of the Whole
consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber; governed by different rules
Conference Committee
created to iron out differences on the bill
discharge petition
motion to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the HoR for a vote
joint committees
Members of both houses that address a long-term issue or program
President of the Senate
vice president
President Pro Tempore
temporary presidents whose tasks include presiding over the Senate in the absence of the vice president, signing legislation, and issuing the oath of office to new senators.
Rules Committee
assigns bills to the appropriate standing committees, schedules bills for debate, and decides when votes take place
Select Committee
Temporary committee that handles a particular issue or investigation
Senate Majority Leader
person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seats
Ways and Means Committee
a committee exclusive to the House that determines tax policy
whip
member of Congress whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline
deficit
the shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spends
discretionary spending
funding that congressional committees debate and decide how to divide up; pays for everything else not required under mandatory spending
mandatory spending
payment required by law, or mandated, for certain programs; include special funds for people in temporary need of help
