Congress Flashcards
Trustee representation
Elected representative who’s obligation is to act in accordance with their own conscious as to what policies are in the best interest of the public
27th amendment
Congressional salaries
Congress sets it’s own salary each term but it goes to affect in the next term
Bicameral legislature
Legislature divided into two houses the US Congress and every other legislative branch, but Nebraska, is organized this way
Implied powers
Powers of the federal government that go beyond those enumerated in the Constitution for the necessary and proper clause
Incumbents
Those already holding office they have a better chance of being reelected
Constituents
A voting member of the public with power to elected and appointed members to office who are then accountable to them
Casework
Activities of members of Congress that help constitutes as individuals cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to
Franking privileges
Allows members of Congress to transmit mail without postage
Reapportionment
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the census results
Redistricting
The process of drawing US electoral district boundaries primarily the responsibility of state legislatures happening every 10 years with results of the census
Gerrymandering
Manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor one party or class
Wesberry vs. Sanders
Order the house districts to be near equal in population
Bill
A proposed law drafted in precise legal language anyone can draft a bill but a member of Congress formally submits it for consideration
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action
Line-item veto
The power possessed by 42 state governments to veto only certain parts of a bill while allowing the rest of it to pass
also a power of the president
Clinton v. New York
Declared line item veto unconstitutional as the president was abusing power and stepping out of executive bounds
Legislative veto
The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision although the War Powers Resolution asserts it’s authority it is possible that of challenged Scotus would find it in violation of separation of powers
Appropriations
Appropriations bill
an act of Congress that actually funds programs within limits established by authorization bills usually covers one year
Earmarks
A measure that appropriates money for a project in a specific district added in a bill in a way that allows it to avoid the conventional appropriations process therefore your marks are not counted in the budget
Pork barrel legislation
The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions available to a congressional district
Logrolling
An act of exchanging favors for mutual gain
17th amendment
Senators are elected by the public not the House of Representatives
Filibuster
A strategy unique to the Senate we’re by opponents of a piece of legislation try to talk it to death based on the tradition of unlimited debate 60 members can halt a filibuster
Cloture
60 Senator vote to halt a filibuster
Continuing resolution
When Congress cannot reach an agreement and pass appropriation bills these resolutions allow agencies to spend at the level of the previous year
Pigeon hole
Expression describing how most bills introduced in each session of Congress are buried put away or never acted upon
Pocket veto
Type of veto a chief executive may use after legislature has adjourned where the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so
Speaker of the house
Mandated by the Constitution chosen by majority party it’s formal and informal powers over the House of Representatives they are second in line to the presidencyk
Presides over house
Committee assignments
Appoints legislative leaders and leadership staff
Assigns bills to committees
President pro tempore
Officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber and absence of the normal presiding officer, the vice President
Majority leader
The principal ally of the speaker of the house or the party’s manager in the Senate
responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes on behalf of the parties legislative positions