Chapter 13 Congress

Question 0

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals- cutting through some bureaucratic red tape to give people what they think they have a right to get

Answer 0

Casework

Question 1

Individuals who already hold office and have a greater chance of winning when they run for reelection

Answer 1

Incumbents

Question 2

The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions available in a congressional district

Answer 2

Pork barrel

Question 3

Legislature divided into 2 houses

Answer 3

Bicameral legislature

Question 4

Reviews all the bills (except revenue, budget and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House

Answer 4

House Rules Committee

Question 5

Opponents of a bill use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill (talk the bill to death)

Answer 5

Filibuster

Question 6

An office mandated by the Constitution. They are chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant

Answer 6

Speaker of the House

Question 7

The principle partisan ally of the Speaker of the House or the party’s manager in the Senate. They are responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes in behalf of the party’s legislative positions

Answer 7

Majority Leader

Question 8

Party leaders who work with the majority of minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party

Answer 8

Whips

Question 9

The principal leader of the minority party in the House or Senate

Answer 9

Minority leader

Question 10

Congress’ monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings

Answer 10

Legislative oversight

Question 11

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas

Answer 11

Standing committees

Question 12

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses

Answer 12

Joint committees

Question 13

Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill.

Answer 13

Conference committees

Question 14

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose

Answer 14

Select committees

Question 15

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full House

Answer 15

Committee chairs

Question 16

A simple rule for picking committee chairs in effect until the 1970’s. The member who had served on the committee the longest and whose party controlled Congress became the chair, regardless of party loyalty, mental state, or competence

Answer 16

Seniority system

Question 17

A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic. Most are composed of members from both parties and both houses

Answer 17

Caucus (congressional)

Question 18

Proposed law, drafted in precise, legal language

Answer 18

Bill