Chapter 13 - Congress Flashcards
Bicameral legislature
A legislature such as the US Congress that has two chambers. We have the House of Representatives and the Senate
Attitudinal view of representation
There are so many members of Congress with so many varying beliefs and pressures so they ultimately cancel each other out and the Congress(wo)men are able to vote independently
Caucus (congressional)
A congressional caucus is an association of members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest. They are growing and beginning to rival political parties
Christmas tree bill
A bill that has many amendments attached all over it (hence Christmas tree). The amendments are usually unrelated and benefit singular groups
Closed rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that limits the time on a debate and also forbids a bill from being amended on the floor
Cloture rule
A regulation by the Senate that limits or ends a debate
Concurrent resolution
An expression of opinion that does not require approval by the president, only by the House and the Senate.
Conference committee
A joint committee (one with both senators and representatives) that helps to resolve differences and discrepancies between the Senate and House version of a bill
Congress
The legislative branch of the US that is made up of two chambers: the House and the Senate. Congress has to share power with both the executive and judicial branches
Congressional budget office
The CBO provides economic data, statistics, and information to the legislative branch
Congressional research service
The CRS works with the library of congress and provides background information to members of congress regarding legislative issues
Conservative coalition
An alliance between republicans and conservative democrats
Discharge petition
A device by which any member of the house can have the petition brought to the floor after a committee has had it for 30 days
Divided government
One party controls the White House and the other party controls one or both chambers of congress
Division vote
When a vote is taken and members of congress stand up to be counted
Double-tracking
A procedure used to keep the senate going during a filibuster that puts the bill “on the shelf” temporarily so the senate can address other business matters
Earmarks
Hidden provisions that direct federal government to find specific projects or exempt specific people from paying specific federal taxes or fees. Also used to give direct benefits to a client without the review of that benefit by congress
Filibuster
An attempt (in the senate) to defeat a bill by speaking indefinitely and you can’t eat, drink, use the bathroom, or sit down during this process.
Franking privilege
Using a facsimile signature in place of postage when a member wants to send letters to their constituents for free
Government accountability office
An agency that works for Congress. They investigate how the federal government is spending taxpayer’s dollars
Gerrymandering
Drawing legislative district boundaries in bizarre ways to favor one party over the other
Joint committee
A committee in which both senators and representatives serve
Majority Leader
The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the house or the Senate
Malapportionment
The drawing of the boundaries of legislative districts so they are unequal in population
Marginal district
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically less than 55% of the vote
Markup
The process by which a US Congressional committee or state legislative session debates and rewrites or amends proposed legislation
Minority leader
The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the house or the Senate
Open rule
An order from the house rules committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor
Organizational view of representation
Most constituents don’t know how their legislator voted so it’s not essential to please them. They will respond based on cues from their colleagues
Parliament
The British (as well as many other nations) version of the US Congress
Party polarization
A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of republican legislators
Pork-barrel legislation
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hopes of winning their votes in return
President pro tempore
The second highest ranking official in the United States Senate. It is stated in the constitution that the president and the vice president must choose a pro tempore of the Senate. The pro tempore of the Senate is the third in line to succession of the presidency behind the vice president and the speaker of the house
Private bill
A legislative bill that deals only with specific, private, personal, or local matters
Public bill
A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress. For the US Congress this is half, or 218 representatives
Quorum call
A roll call in either the House of Representatives or the Senate to see whether the minimum number of representatives is met
Representational view of representation
Based on the reasonable and accurate assumption that members seek reelection and therefore vote to please their constituents
Restrictive rule
Permits certain kinds of amendments but not others to become a bill on the floor
Rider
Amendments on matters unrelated to bills that are added to important bills so they ride the passage through Congress. With lots of riders this can be called a Christmas tree bill
Roll-call vote
A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering “yea” or “nay” to their names
Rules committee
A legislative committee responsible for expediting the passage of bills
Safe district
Districts in which incumbents win by 55% or more
Select committee
Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose
Sequential referral
A congressional process by which a speaker may send a bill to a second committee after the first is finished acting
17th amendment
This amendment to the Constitution requires popular election of Senators
Simple resolution
An expression of opinion either in the house or the Senate to settle procedural matters in either body
Sophomore surge
An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection
Speaker of the house
Currently John Boehner. The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of his party in the house
Standing committees
Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area
Teller vote
The voting procedure in which members passed between two tellers, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second
Unified government
The same party controls the White House and both parties of Congress
Voice vote
Members shout yeah or nay which allows for quick and anonymous voting
Whip
A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking
