APGovCH.6

Question 1

apportionment

Answer 1

the process of allotting congressional seats to each state according to its population, following the decennial census

Question 2

bicameral legislature

Answer 2

a two-house legislature

Question 3

bill

Answer 3

a proposed law

Question 4

cloture

Answer 4

Mechanism requiring the vote of sixty senators to cut off debate

Question 5

conference committee

Answer 5

A special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

Question 6

Congressional Budget Act of 1974

Answer 6

The act that established the congressional budgetary process by laying out a plan for congressional action on the annual budget resolution, appropriations, reconciliation, and any other revenue bills

Question 7

congressional review

Answer 7

A process whereby Congress can nullify agency regulations by a joint resolution of legislative disapproval

Question 8

delegate

Answer 8

The role played by an elected representative who votes the way his or her constituents would want, regardless of personal opinion

Question 9

discharge petition

Answer 9

Petitions that gives the majority of the House the authority to bring an issue to the floor in the face of committee inaction

Question 10

divided government

Answer 10

The political condition in which different political parties control the presidency and Congress

Question 11

filibuster

Answer 11

A formal way of halting Senate action on a bill by means of long speeches or unlimited debate

Question 12

gerrymandering

Answer 12

The drawing of congressional districts to produce a particular electoral outcome without regard to the shape of the district

Question 13

hold

Answer 13

A procedure by which a senator asks to be informed before a bill or nomination is brought to the floor. Signals to leadership that a member may have objections to the bill (or nomination) and should be consulted before further action is taken

Question 14

impeachment

Answer 14

The power delegated to the House of Rep. in the Constitution to charge the president, vice president, or other “civil officers,” including federal judges, with “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors” This is the first step in the constitutional process of removing government officials from office

Question 15

incumbency

Answer 15

already holding an office

Question 16

joint committee

Answer 16

Standing committee that includes members from both houses of Congress set up to conduct investigations or special studies

Question 17

logrolling

Answer 17

Vote trading; voting to support a colleague’s bill in return for a promise of future support

Question 18

majority leader

Answer 18

The head of the party controlling the most seats in the House of the Senate; is second in authority to the Speaker of the House and the most powerful member of the Senate

Question 19

majority party

Answer 19

The political party in each house of Congress with the most members

Question 20

markup

Answer 20

A session in which committee members offer changes to a bill before it goes to the floor

Question 21

minority leader

Answer 21

The head of the party with the second highest number of elected reps. in the House or Senate

Question 22

minority party

Answer 22

The political party in each house of Congress with the second most members

Question 23

party caucus (or conference)

Answer 23

A formal gathering of all party members

Question 24

pocket veto

Answer 24

If Congress adjourns during the ten days the president has to consider a bill passed by Congress, the bill is considered vetoed without the president’s signature

Question 25

politico

Answer 25

An elected representative who acts as a trustee or as a delegate, depending on the issue

Question 26

pork

Answer 26

Legislation that allows reps. to bring money and jobs back to their districts in the form of public works programs

Question 27

president pro tempore

Answer 27

The official chair of the Senate; usually the most senior member of the majority party

Question 28

programmatic requests

Answer 28

Federal funds designated for special projects within a state or congressional district

Question 29

reconciliation

Answer 29

A procedure that allows consideration of controversial issues affecting the budget by limiting debate to twenty hours, thereby ending the threat of a filibuster

Question 30

redistricting

Answer 30

The process of redrawing congressional districts to reflect increases or decreases in seats allotted to the states, as well as population shifts within a state

Question 31

select (or special) committee

Answer 31

Temporary committee appointed for a specific purpose

Question 32

senatorial courtesy

Answer 32

A process by which presidents generally allow senators from the state to block a nomination by registering an objection

Question 33

seniority

Answer 33

Time of continuous service on a committee

Question 34

Speaker of the House

Answer 34

The only officer of the House of Reps. specifically mentioned in the Constitution; the chamber’s most powerful position; traditionally a member of the majority party

Question 35

standing committee

Answer 35

Committee to which proposed bills are referred; continues from one Congress to the next

Question 36

trustee

Answer 36

The role played by an elected representative who listens to constituents’ opinions and then uses his or her best judgment to make a final decision

Question 37

unified government

Answer 37

The political condition in which the same political party controls the presidency and Congress

Question 38

veto

Answer 38

The formal, constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed by Congress

Question 39

War Powers Resolution

Answer 39

Passed by Congress in 1973; the president is limited in the deployment of troops overseas to a 60 day period unless Congress explicitly gives its approval for a longer period

Question 40

whip

Answer 40

Party leader who keeps close contact with all members of his or her party, takes vote counts on key legislation, prepares summaries of bills, and acts as a communications link within a party