Chapter 13 Congress Flashcards
Caucus
An association of Congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest.
Closed rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor.
Cloture rule
A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate.
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.
Conference committees
A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill.
Conservative coalition
An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats.
Discharge petition
A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had a bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor.
Divided government
One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Division vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted.
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.
Earmarks
“Hidden” congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund specific projects or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees.
Filibuster
An attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill.
Franking privilege
The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage.
Joint committees
Committee on which both senators and representatives serve.
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.
Majority leader
The legislative leader elected by party members holding a majority of seats in the House or the Senate.
Marginal districts
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote.
Minority leader
The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or the Senate.
Multiple referral
A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees.
Open rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor.
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 hope of winning their votes in return.
Private bill
A legislative bill that deals 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 required to be in attendance for Congress to conduct official business
Quorum call
A roll call in either house of Congress to see whether the minimum number of representatives required to conduct business is present.
Restrictive rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits certain kinds of amendments but not others to be made to a bill on the floor.
Roll-call vote
A congressional procedure that consists of members answering “yea” or “nay” to their names.
Safe districts
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more
Select committees
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.
Simple resolution
An expression of opinion, either in the House or Senate, to settle procedural matters in either body
Standing committees
Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area
Teller vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second.
Unified government
he same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress.
Voice vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members shout “yea” in approval or “nay” in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills.
Whip
A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking.
bicameral legislature
A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts.
