Chapter 3 Flashcards
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses/chambers (House of Representatives/ Senate)
Bicameralism
constitutional amendment that established direct election of senators
17th Amendment
the process of reassigning/redistributing representation based on population, after every census
Reapportionment
powers directly stated in the constitution
enumerated/ expressed powers
Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution but given to Congress through the elastic clause in the Constitution
implied powers
A resolution of Congress that stated the President can only send troops into action abroad by authorization of Congress or if America is already under attack or serious threat.
War Powers Act
To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office
Impeach
The power of the Senate to consult and approve the president’s treaties and appointments.
Advice and Consent
the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the House
Congress members that lead debate among their party and guide the discussion on bills in Congress, function as party leaders within Congress
House and Senate Floor Leaders
a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking that is in charge of party discipline. Given responsibility of ensuring members of the party vote along party lines
Whips
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president, usually given to the most senior member of the majority party
President Pro Tempore
The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.
Senate Majority Leader
A permanent committee in Congress that are focused on a particular subject
Standing Committee
Major House Committee that deals with impeachment charges
House Judiciary Committee
Democratic Party committee that schedules legislation and assigns House representatives of the minority party to committees
Steering and Policy Committee
Republican Party committee that schedules legislation and assigns House representatives of the minority party to committees
Committee on Committees
members of both House and Senate that address a long standing issue or program
Joint Committee
special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate
Conference Committee
a committee appointed to consider a special issue or serve a special function that disbands once it has completed its duties
Special/Select Committee
the process by which a U.S. congressional committee or state legislative session debates, amends, and rewrites proposed legislation
Markup Session
Congress has the authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the actions by the executive branch and its bureaucracies.
Congressional Oversight
group of members of the United States Congress that meets to pursue common legislative objectives
caucus (congressional)
House committee that handles tax bills
Ways and Means Committee
A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.
Rules Committee
a motion to force a bill to the House floor that has been stuck in committee
discharge petition
practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor by debating with unlimited time and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.
Filibuster
a rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate, requires a supermajority vote of 2/3
Cloture rule
the legislator who proposes that a bill be considered by his or her chamber
Bill’s Sponsor
an amendment to a bill must be strictly relevant to the bill
germane amendments
amendments which are unrelated to the subject matter of the original bill
non-germane amendments
additional bills that get added onto an often unrelated bill
Bill Riders
One very large bill that encompasses many separate bills.
Omnibus Bill
Congress person ensures that a proposed bill will benefit his/her constituents
Pork Barrel Spending
Funds that an appropriations bill designates for a particular purpose within a state or congressional district
Earmark
An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other’s bills
Logrolling
Congress person voting model in which legislators should adhere to the will of their constituents
Delegate Model
Congress person voting model in which legislators should consider the will of the people but act in ways that they believe are best for the long-term interest of the nation
Trustee Model
Congress person voting model in which legislators should follow their own judgment until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, at which point they should follow the dictates of constituents
Politico Model
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Gridlock
drawing of new electoral district boundary lines in response to population changes
Redistricting
Supreme Court case that established “one man one vote”. Decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state
Baker v Carr
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
Gerrymandering
Supreme Court case that ruled that although it was a legitimate goal for state legislatures to take race into account when they draw electoral districts in order to increase the voting strength of minorities, they may not make race the sole reason for drawing district lines.
Shaw v Reno
one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
Divided Gvernmen
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.
Mandatory Spending
Government spending category in which government planners can make choices
discretionary spending
