Congress Flashcards
Term
Two-year period of time during which Congress meets
Session
Period of time during which, each year, Congress assembles and conducts business
Convene
To begin a new session of Congress
Adjourn
Suspend
Recess
A time when both houses of Congress temporarily suspend business
Prorogue
Adjourn
Special session
An extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation
Sine die
Ending a session
Apportion
Distribute the seats
Reapportioned
Redistribute the seats
Off-year election
Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years
Single member district
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
Gerrymander
The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
Incumbent
The current office holder
Continuous body
Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time
Constituency
The people and interests that an elected official represents
Delegate
Representatives; members of Congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents
Trustee
Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement
Partisans
Lawmaker who owes his first allegiance to his political party
Politico
Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles
Oversight function
Review by legislative committees of the policies and programs of the executive branch
Bicameral
An adjective describing a legislative body composed of two chambers
Why is the House of Representatives bicameral?
1) historical: the British parliament has consisted of two houses since the 1300s
2) practical: settle conflict between Virginia and New Jersey plans
3) theoretical: one house might check the other
What are the three powers of the house?
1) impeachment
2) decide presidential elections
3) power of the purse
Two ways in which gerrymandering is done?
1) spread out oppositions voters out in as many districts as possible
2) concentrate the oppositions voters in as few districts as possible
Qualifications of a House member?
1) 25 years old
2) 7 year citizen
3) must live in the state you are running for
Qualifications of a Senator?
1) 30 years old
2) 9 year citizen
3) live in the state you are running for
Three powers of the senate?
1) trial for impeachment
2) ratify treaties
3) confirmation
5 major roles of a congressman:
1) legislators
2) representatives of their constituents
3) committee members
4) servants of their constituents
5) politicians
3 limits on congressional pay:
1) President’s veto power
2) fear of voter backlash
3)
