Chapter 11: Congress Flashcards
Apportionment
The distribution of House seats among the states on the basis of their respective population
Congressional District
The geographic area that is served by one member in the House of Representative
Malapportionment
A condition in which the voting power of citizens in one district is greater than the voting power of citizens in another district
“One Person, One Vote” Rule
A rule, or principle, requiring that congressional districts have equal populations so that one person’s vote counts as much as another’s vote
Gerrymandering
The drawing of a legislative district’s boundaries in such a way as to maximize the influence of a certain group pr political party
Minority-Majority District
A district in which minority groups make up a majority of the population
Trustee
A representative who tires to serve the broad interests o the entire society and not just the narrow interests of his or her consituents
Instructed Delegate
A representative who deliberately mirrors the views of the majority of his her constituents
Earmark
Spending provision inserted into legislation that benefits only a small number of people
Speaker Of The House
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
Majority Leader
The party leader elected by the majority party in the House or in the Senate
Minority Leader
The party leader elected by the minority party in the House or in the Senate
Whip
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
Standing Committee
A permanent committee in Congress that deals with legislation concerning a particular area, such as agriculture or foreign relations
Subcommittee
A division of a large committee that deals with particular part of the committee’s policy area
Rules Committee
A standing committee in the House of Representatives that provides special rules governing how particular bills will be considered and debate by the House
Filibustering
The Senate tradition of unlimited debate undertaken for the purpose of preventing action on a bill
Cloture
A procedure for ending filibusters in the Senate and bringing the matter under consideration to a vote
Markup Session
A meeting held by a congressional committee or subcommittee to approve, amend, or redraft a bill
Conference Committee
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
Conference Report
A report subcommittee by a conference committee after it has drafted a single version of a bill
Pocket Veto
A special type of veto power used by the chief executive after the legislature has adjourned
Oversight Power
- 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
Nuclear Option
Changing Senate rules, particular, rules that require a super-majority - by simple majority vote
Authorization
A part of the congressional budgeting process- the creation of the legal basis for government programs
Appropriation
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
Entitlement Program
A government program (such as social security) that allows, or entitles, a certain class of the people (such as elderly people) to receive benefits
Fiscal Year
A twelve-month period that is established for bookkeeping or accounting purpose. Government fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30
First Budget Resolution
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
Second Budget Resolution
A budget resolution, which is supposed to be passed in September, that sets “binding” limits on taxes and spending for the next fiscal year
Continuing Resolution
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
Congressional Franking Privilieges
Members of Congress can mail newsletters and other correspondence to their constituents at the taxpayers’ expense
Professional Staffs
Members have large administrative staffs both in Washington,D.C., and in their home districts
Lawmaking Power
Members can back legislation that will benefit their states or districts and then campaign on that legislative record in the next election
Access To The Media
Because they are elected officials, members have many opportunities to stage events for the press and thereby obtain free publicity
Name Recognition
Incumbent members are usually far better known to the voters than challengers are
