Comgress Terms Flashcards
Congressional redistricting
Reallocation if the # of reps each state has in the house of reps
Gerrymandering
The leg process by which the majority party in each state leg redraws congressional districts to ensure max # of seats for its candidates
Incumbent
Officeholder who is seeking re-election they r the single most important factor in determining congressional election outcomes
Franking privelage
Right if members of congress to mail newsletters to their constituents at the GOVE expenses
Standing committees
Permanent subject matter congressional committees that handle legs and oversee the bureaucracy
Conference committee
Temp bodies that are formed to resolve differences between house and senate versions of a bill
House rules committee
Sets guidelines for floor debate gives each bill a rule that places the bill in the legs calendar limits the time for debate and determines type of amendments that will be allowed
House ways and means committee
House commitee handles tax bills
Seniority
Unwritten rule in both houses of congress reserving committee chairs to members of the committee with longest records of continuous service
Filibuster
Way of delaying or preventing action on a bill long speeches and ultimate debate to kill it
Cloture
Senate motion to close or end a filibuster 3/5 vote
Logrolling
Tactic of mutual aid and vote trading among legs
Oversight
Congressional review over the activities of an executive agency department or office
Delegate role of representation
Members of congress cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents