apgov: congress Flashcards
constituents
voters
reapportionment
places people in districts, every 10 years
redistricting
The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
gerrymandering
cut districts to favor a political party
safe seat
An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other, so the success of that party’s candidate is almost taken for granted.
incumbent
The current holders of elected office
earmarks
a provision in Congressional legislation that allocates a specified amount of money for a specific project, program, or organization
bicameralism
legislature divided into two houses
enumerated powers
powers that are directly stated in the constitution
speaker
The presiding officer in the House of Representatives, formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party.
party caucus
A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy
majority leader
The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line.
minority leader
The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.
whip
Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.
closed rule
no amendments to the bills, only offer amendments
open rule
permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.
president pro tempore
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president.
hold
A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination.
fillibuster
delay the vote, talk forever for as long as they stand
cloture
vote senate can take to shut you off (60)
Standing Committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area.
select committee
A congressional committee created for a specific purpose
joint committee
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.
seniority rule
A legislative practice that assigns the chair of a committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee.
conference committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
delegate
vote for the people
trustee
vote for themselves
logrolling
you vote for my bill I’ll vote for your bill (house and senate)
attentive public
Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully.
discharge petition
Petition that, if signed by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.
rider
A provision attached to a bill
pocket veto
A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for ten days, the bill does not become law and is not returned to Congress for a possible override.
override
An action taken by Congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
