Chapter Thirteen

Question 1

Caucus

Answer 1

An association of Congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest.

Question 2

Closed rule

Answer 2

An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor.

Question 3

Cloture rule

Answer 3

A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate.

Question 4

Concurrent resolution

Answer 4

An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, but not the president.

Question 5

Conference committees

Answer 5

A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill.

Question 6

Conservation coalition

Answer 6

An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats.

Question 7

Discharge petition

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Divided government

Answer 8

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Question 9

Division vote

Answer 9

A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted.

Question 10

Double-tracking

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Earmarks

Answer 11

“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.

Question 12

Filibuster

Answer 12

An attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill.

Question 13

Franking privilege

Answer 13

The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage.

Question 14

Joint committees

Answer 14

Committee on which both senators and representatives serve.

Question 15

Joint resolution

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Majority leader

Answer 16

The legislative leader elected by party members holding a majority of seats in the House or the Senate.

Question 17

Marginal districts

Answer 17

Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55 percent of the vote.

Question 18

Minority leader

Answer 18

The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or the Senate.

Question 19

Multiple referral

Answer 19

A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees.

Question 20

Open rule

Answer 20

An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor.

Question 21

Party polarization

Answer 21

A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of Republican legislators.

Question 22

Pork-barrel legislation

Answer 22

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return.

Question 23

Private bill

Answer 23

A legislative bill that deals with specific, private, personal or local matters.

Question 24

Public bill

Answer 24

A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern.

Question 25

Quorum

Answer 25

The minimum number of members required to be in attendance for Congress to conduct official business.

Question 26

Quorum call

Answer 26

A roll call in either house of Congress to see whether the minimum number of representatives required to conduct business is present.

Question 27

Restrictive rule

Answer 27

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.

Question 28

Roll-call vote

Answer 28

A congressional procedure that consists of members answering “yea” or “nay” to their names.

Question 29

Safe districts

Answer 29

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more.

Question 30

Select committees

Answer 30

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.

Question 31

Sequential referral

Answer 31

A congressional process by which a Speaker may send a bill to a second committee after the first is finished acting.

Question 32

Simple resolution

Answer 32

An expression of opinion, either in the House or Senate, to settle procedural matters in either body.

Question 33

Standing committees

Answer 33

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area.

Question 34

Teller vote

Answer 34

A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second.

Question 35

Unified government

Answer 35

The same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress.

Question 36

Voice vote

Answer 36

A congressional voting procedure in which members shout “yea” in approval or “nay” in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills.

Question 37

Whip

Answer 37

A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking.

Question 38

Bicameral legislature

Answer 38

A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts.