Chapter 10 Flashcards
2 year period of time during which congress meets
Term
Period of time during which, each year, congress assembles and conducts business
Session
To begin a new session of congress
Convene
Suspend, as in a session of congress
Adjourn
A time when both houses of congress temporarily suspend business
Recess
Adjourn, as in a legislative session
Prorogue
An extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation
Special session
Distribute as in seats in a legislative body
Apportion
Redistribute as in seats in a legislative body
Reapportion
Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years
Off year election
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Single member district
Election of an officeholder by the voters of an entire governmental unit rather than by the voters of a district or subdivision
At large election
Current officeholder
Incumbent
Governing unit whose seats are never all up for elections at the same time
Continuous body
The people and interests that an elected official represents
Constituency
Representatives; members of congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents
Delegates
Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement, not the views of his or her constituents
Trustee
Lawmaker who owes his/her first allegiance to his/her political party and votes according to the party line
Partisan
Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles
Politicos
A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
Bill
The process by which proposed laws are considered and acted upon by the full membership of the house or senate
Floor consideration
Review by legislative committee of the policies and programs of the executive branch
Oversight function
Benefit allowing members of congress to mail letters and other materials postage free
Franking privilege
An adjective describing a legislative body composed of 2 chambers
Bicameral
