Chapter 13 Congress

Question 1

Congressional Caucus

Answer 1

A group of House or Senate members who convene regularly to discuss common interests; they may share demographic characteristics, geography, or issue concerns

Question 2

Floor

Answer 2

The full chamber, either in the House of Representatives or the Senate. A bill “goes to the floor” for the final debate and vote

Question 3

Conference Committee

Answer 3

A temporary collection of House and Senate members, appointed to work out a compromise version of legislation that passed both chambers in different forms

Question 4

Legislative Hold

Answer 4

An informal way for a senator to object to a bill or other measure reaching the Senate floor. The action effectively halts Senate proceedings on that issue, sometimes for weeks or longer

Question 5

Filibuster

Answer 5

Rule unique to the U.S. Senate that allows any senator to hold the floor indefinitely and thereby delay a vote on a bill which he or she objects. Ended only when sixty senators vote for cloture

Question 6

Cloture Vote

Answer 6

The senate’s only approved method for halting a filibuster or lifting a legislative hold. If sixty senators three-fifths of the body, changed in 1975 from the original two-thirds vote for cloture, the measure can proceed to a vote

Question 7

King of the Hill Rule

Answer 7

A special rule governing floor consideration of a bill. A series of amendments on the same topic may all win majority approval, but only the last amendment receiving a majority vote the “king of the hill” is incorporated into the bill

Question 8

President Pro Tempore

Answer 8

Majority-party senator with the longest Senate service

Question 9

Earmark

Answer 9

A legislative item, usually included in spending (“appropriations”) bills, that directs Congress to fund a particular item in one House district or senator’s state

Question 10

Committee Hearing

Answer 10

An important means by which committees collect and analyze information as legislative policymaking gets under way. Hearings usually feature witnesses providing oral testimony, along with witnesses by members of Congress

Question 11

Committee Markup Session

Answer 11

A gathering of a full committee to draft the final version of a bill before the committee votes on it. Markups open to the public are often standing-room only

Question 12

Unanimous Consent

Answer 12

A Senate requirement, applied to most of that body’s business, that all senators agree before an action can proceed

Question 13

Voice vote

Answer 13

A congressional vote in which the presiding officer asks those for and against to say “yea” or “nay” respectively, and announces the result. No record is kept of House or Senate members voting on each side

Question 14

Roll-Call Vote

Answer 14

A congressional vote in which all members’ votes are recorded, either by roll call (Senate) or electronically (House)

Question 15

Veto

Answer 15

The congressional procedure by which a president can prevent enactment of legislation passed by congress