Chapter 11: Congress

Question 1

Apportionment

Answer 1

The distribution of House seats among the states on the basis of their respective population

Question 2

Congressional District

Answer 2

The geographic area that is served by one member in the House of Representative

Question 3

Malapportionment

Answer 3

A condition in which the voting power of citizens in one district is greater than the voting power of citizens in another district

Question 4

“One Person, One Vote” Rule

Answer 4

A rule, or principle, requiring that congressional districts have equal populations so that one person’s vote counts as much as another’s vote

Question 5

Gerrymandering

Answer 5

The drawing of a legislative district’s boundaries in such a way as to maximize the influence of a certain group pr political party

Question 6

Minority-Majority District

Answer 6

A district in which minority groups make up a majority of the population

Question 7

Trustee

Answer 7

A representative who tires to serve the broad interests o the entire society and not just the narrow interests of his or her consituents

Question 8

Instructed Delegate

Answer 8

A representative who deliberately mirrors the views of the majority of his her constituents

Question 9

Earmark

Answer 9

Spending provision inserted into legislation that benefits only a small number of people

Question 10

Speaker Of The House

Answer 10

The presiding officer in the House of Representative. The Speaker is a member of the majority party and is the most powerful member of the House

Question 11

Majority Leader

Answer 11

The party leader elected by the majority party in the House or in the Senate

Question 12

Minority Leader

Answer 12

The party leader elected by the minority party in the House or in the Senate

Question 13

Whip

Answer 13

A member of Congress who assists the majority or minority leader in the House or in the Senate in managing the party’s legislative program

Question 14

Standing Committee

Answer 14

A permanent committee in Congress that deals with legislation concerning a particular area, such as agriculture or foreign relations

Question 15

Subcommittee

Answer 15

A division of a large committee that deals with particular part of the committee’s policy area

Question 16

Rules Committee

Answer 16

A standing committee in the House of Representatives that provides special rules governing how particular bills will be considered and debate by the House

Question 17

Filibustering

Answer 17

The Senate tradition of unlimited debate undertaken for the purpose of preventing action on a bill

Question 18

Cloture

Answer 18

A procedure for ending filibusters in the Senate and bringing the matter under consideration to a vote

Question 19

Markup Session

Answer 19

A meeting held by a congressional committee or subcommittee to approve, amend, or redraft a bill

Question 20

Conference Committee

Answer 20

A temporary committee that is formed when the two chambers of Congress pass differing version of the same bill. It consist of members in the House and the Senate

Question 21

Conference Report

Answer 21

A report subcommittee by a conference committee after it has drafted a single version of a bill

Question 22

Pocket Veto

Answer 22

A special type of veto power used by the chief executive after the legislature has adjourned

Question 23

Oversight Power

Answer 23

• To oversee or investigate the other branches of government
• Can impeach officers
• Senate can confirm Presidential nominees
• Congress has the power of the pursue to change funding or rewrite legislation

Question 24

Nuclear Option

Answer 24

Changing Senate rules, particular, rules that require a super-majority - by simple majority vote

Question 25

Authorization

Answer 25

A part of the congressional budgeting process- the creation of the legal basis for government programs

Question 26

Appropriation

Answer 26

A part of the congressional budgeting process- the determination of how many dollars will be spent in a given year on a particular government activity

Question 27

Entitlement Program

Answer 27

A government program (such as social security) that allows, or entitles, a certain class of the people (such as elderly people) to receive benefits

Question 28

Fiscal Year

Answer 28

A twelve-month period that is established for bookkeeping or accounting purpose. Government fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30

Question 29

First Budget Resolution

Answer 29

A budget resolution, which is supposed to be passed in May, that sets overall revenue goals and spending targets for the next fiscal year, beginning on October 1

Question 30

Second Budget Resolution

Answer 30

A budget resolution, which is supposed to be passed in September, that sets “binding” limits on taxes and spending for the next fiscal year

Question 31

Continuing Resolution

Answer 31

A temporary resolution passed by Congress that enables executive agencies to continue work with the same funding that they had in the previous fiscal year

Question 32

Congressional Franking Privilieges

Answer 32

Members of Congress can mail newsletters and other correspondence to their constituents at the taxpayers’ expense

Question 33

Professional Staffs

Answer 33

Members have large administrative staffs both in Washington,D.C., and in their home districts

Question 34

Lawmaking Power

Answer 34

Members can back legislation that will benefit their states or districts and then campaign on that legislative record in the next election

Question 35

Access To The Media

Answer 35

Because they are elected officials, members have many opportunities to stage events for the press and thereby obtain free publicity

Question 36

Name Recognition

Answer 36

Incumbent members are usually far better known to the voters than challengers are