Chapter 12 Vocab Flashcards
The division of a legislature into two separate assemblies
Bicameralism
Determining which public policy questions will be debated or considered by congress
Agenda Setting
Personal work for constituents by members of congress
Casework
A method of close off debate and to bring the matter under consideration to a vote in the senate
Cloture
A special joint committee appointed to reconcile differences when bills pass the two chambers of congress in different forms
Conference Committee
An alliance of Republicans and southern Democrats that can form in the House or Senate to oppose liberal legislation and support conservative legislation
Conservative Coalition
One of the people represented by a legislator or other elected official or appointed official
Constituent
A temporary law that congress passed when an appropriations bill had not been decided by the beginning of the new fiscal year on October 1st
Continuing Resolution
An intraparty election in which the voters select the candidates who will run on the party’s ticket in the subsequent general election
Direct Primary
A procedure by which a bill in the House of Representatives may be forced out of a committee that has refused to report it for consideration by the House.
Discharge Petition
A power specifically granted to the national gov by the constitution
Enumerated Power
The budget prepared and submitted by the president to congress
Executive Budget
The time every year when, after reviving formal federal agency request for funding for the next fiscal year, they make changes and send it to the prez.
Fall Review
In the senate, unlimited debate to halt action on a particular bill
Filibustering
A resolution passed by congress in May that sets overall revenue and spending goals for the following year
First Budget Resolution
12 month period that is used for book keeping, or accounting, purposes
Fiscal Year
A policy that enables members of congress to send material through the mail by substituting their facsimile signature for postage
Franking
Dragon drawing that is used for obtaining partisan or factional advantage
Gerrymandering
A legislator who is an agent of the voters who elected him or her and who votes according to the views of constituents regardless of personal assessments
Instructed Delegate
A legislative committee composed of members from both chambers of congress
Joint Committee
A question that may be raised and reviewed in court
Justiciable Question
The process of deciding the legal rules that govern society
Lawmaking
A provision in a bill reserving to congress or to a congressional committee the power to reject an action by a majority vote
Legislative Veto
An arrangement in which two or more members of congress agree in advance to support each other’s bills
Logrolling
Chief spokesperson of the majority party in the senate, directs legislative
Majority Floor Leader
A legislative position held by an important party member in the House of Rep.
Majority Leader of the House
The party officer in the senate that commands the minority party’s opposition to the policies of the majority party and directs legislative program
Minority Floor Leader
The party leader elected by the minority party in the House
Minority Leader of the House
A person who hears and investigates complaints by private individuals against public official or agencies
Ombudsperson
The responsibility Congress has for following up on laws it has enacted to ensure that they are being enforced and administered in the way Congress intended
Oversight
A person who identifies with a political party
Party identifier
The temporary presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the vice president
President Pro Tempore
The allocation of seats in the House of Representatives to each state after each census
Reapportionment
The redrawing of the boundaries of the congressional districts within each state
Redistricting
The function of members of Congress as elected officials in representing the views of their constituents
Representation
A standing committee of the house of representatives that provide special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the House
Rules committee
A district returns the legislator with 55% of the vote or more
Safe seat
A resolution passed by Congress in September that sets “binding” limits on taxes and spending for the next fiscal year beginning October 1
Second budget resolution
A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose
Select committee
A custom followed in both chambers of Congress specifying that members with longer terms of continuous service will be given preference when committee chairpersons and holders of other significant post are selected
Seniority system
The presiding officer in the House of Representatives
Speaker of the house
The time every year when the office of management and budget requires federal agencies to review their programs, activities, and goals and submit the request for funding for the next fiscal year
Spring review
A permanent committee within the house or senate that considers bills within a certain subject area
Standing committee
One who acts according to her or his conscience in the broad interest of the entire society
Trustee
An assistant who aids the majority or minority leader of the house the Senate majority or minority floor leader
Whip
