Chapter 13 Flashcards
Partisan polarization
A vote, in which a majority of democratic legislatures oppose a majority of Republican legislatures
Bicameral legislature
A lawmaking making body made up of two chambers or parts
Filibuster
In attempt to defeat, a bill in the Senate by talking in definitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill
Marginal districts
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections typically by less than 55% of the vote
Safe districts
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55% or more
Conservative coalition
An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats
Representational view
Congressmen vote to please their constituents for upcoming re-elections
Organizational view
If voters don’t have insight on congressional actions, congressmen will vote to please fellow party members, or leaders with similar political ideologies
Attitudinal view
Congressmen vote on their own personal views and beliefs, due to external and internal pressures canceling each other out
Incumbent
A congressman who is currently serving as an official
Majority leader
The legislative leader, elected by party members, holding the majority of seats in the House or the Senate
Minority leader
The legislative leader, elected by party members, holding a minority of seats in the House or the Senate
Whip
Senator or a representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking
Speaker
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of his or her party in the House
Party vote
There are two measures of such voting. By the stricter measure a party vote occurs when 90% or more of the Democrats in either house of Congress vote together against 90% or more of the Republicans. A looser measure counts as a party vote any case where at least 50% of the Democrats vote together against at least 50% of the Republicans.
Caucus
An association of congressional members created to advance a political ideology, or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest
Standing committees
Permanently established legislative committees that consider, and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area
Select committees
Congressional committee is appointed for a limited time, and purpose
Joint committees
Committee in which both senators and representatives serve
Conference committee
Joint committee is appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill
Simple resolution
An expression of opinion, either in the house or senate to settle procedural matters in either body
Concurrent resolution
An expression of opinion, without the force of law that requires the approval of both the house, and the senate, but not the president
Joint resolution
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of Congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
Discharge petitions
A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has has the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the house floor
Restrictive rule
In order from the House Rules Committee that permits certain kinds of amendments, but not others to be made into a bill on the floor
Closed rule
In order from the house rules committee that set a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor
Open rule
In order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress (1/2)
Riders
Amendments made by the Senate on matters unrelated to a bill that are added to an important bill so that they will “ride” to passage through the Congress. When a bill has many riders, it is called a Christmas tree bill.
Cloture rule
A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate
Double tracking
A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily, so that the Senate can get on with other business
Voice vote
Congressional voting procedure where members show yes or no at once; permits members to quickly decide anonymously on bills
Division/Standing Vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted
Roll Call vote
Congressional voting procedure that consist of members answering yes or no when their names are called
Teller vote
Congressional voting procedure in which members passed between tellers yeas first in the nays second
Veto
President may forbid a bill (can be overridden by 2/3 vote of each house)
Divided government
One party controls, the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
Unified government
The same party controls the White House and both houses
Earmarks
Hidden congressional provisions that direct the federal government to find specific projects, or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees
Pork-barrel legislation
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
Franking privilege
The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents, free of charge by substituting there facsimile signature for postage
