AP gov Congress Flashcards
Incumbents
Those already holding are have held office
Case Work
Activites members of Congress that help constituents as individuals
Pork Barrel
The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, etc available in a congressional district
Bicameral Legislature
A legislature divided into two houses. Nebraska is the only state withOUT one
House Rules Committee
An institution unique to the House that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to Full House
Filibuster
A Speech designed to block passage of a bill. It’s just talking/stalling and hoping you can get more time
Speaker of the House
Head of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party, 2nd in line to the presidency
Majority Leader
Head of the Senate, responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and round up votes in behalf of the party’s legislative populations
Whips
Pary leaders who work with majority and minority leaders to count votes and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party
Minority Leader
The principal leader of the minority party in the House or Senate
Standing Committee
An issue that’s always there:
education, transportation, military
Joint committees
Has both Senators and members of the House on it;
Can have comittees that are both joint and standing
Conference comittees
Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences
Select committees
Temperary, only there while it’s needed;
9/11, formed a select committee during that time to deal with effects
Legislative Oversight
Congress’s monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings