Chapter 12: Congress Flashcards
agency review
part of the committee or subcommittee process of considering a bill, wherein committee members ask executive agencies that would administer the law for written comments on the measure
agenda setting
the determination by congress of which public issues the government should consider for legislation
attentive public
the segment of voters who pay careful attention to political issues
Baker v. Carr
This 1962 Supreme Court case established the right of federal courts to review issues concerning redistricting within states, which had previously been viewed as “political questions” outside the courts’ jurisdiction. This landmark case addressing reapportionment and redistricting established the standard of “one person, one vote” which informs our modern ideal of representation.
bill
proposed piece of legislation
casework
personal work by a member of congress on behalf of a constituent or group of, typically aimed at getting the gov to do something the constituent wants done
cloture
procedural move to end a filibuster → supermajority of 60 senators
conference committee
bicameral, bipartisan committee composed of legislators whose job is to reconcile two versions of a bill
discharge petition
a special tactic used to extract a bill from a committee to have it considered by the entire house
earmark
a designation within a spending bill that provides for a SPECIFIC expenditure
filibuster
a procedural move by a senator to attempt to halt the passage of a bill → senator can speak for an unlimited amount of time with no restrictions
franking
the privilege of sending mail free of charge by members of congress
gerrymandering
redrawing legislative districts to benefit an incumbent, political party, or other group
hearings
sessions held by committees to gather information and news from experts
hopper
wooden box where house reps can place bills for introduction
house majority leader
leader of the majority party: helps speaker develop and implement strategy & works with other members of house
house minority leader
leader of the minority party who helps speaker develop and implement strategy & works with other members of house
but without the power of holding the majority
instructed delegate model
representatives should vote in line with constituent views
joint committee
bicameral committee composed of members from both chambers of congress
joint referral
the practice where a bill could be referred to two different committees for consideration
ABOLISHED IN 104TH CONGRESS
lead committee
the primary committee considering a bill