congress def test Flashcards
bicameral
2 houses
session of congress
establishes the time that Congress comes together conducts business
adjourns
when congress suspends its work until the nest session
recess
a short break within the session
midterm elections
congressional elections held in non presidential election years
gerrymandering
voting districts that are drawn to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature
incumbents
the person running, who also currently hold the office (running for re-election)
constituents
people that voted for you
delegates
a person in congress who is a delegate worried about what people back home think about an issue and will vote that way
trustee
they follow their own beliefs and worry less about what their constituents think
partisans
do what is best for their party
politicas
try to balance all factors to come up with the best decision
floor consideration
to be considered upon by the full membership of the House or Senate
oversight function
the process by which congress checks to see if the executive branch is carrying out the policies that congress has set by law
franking
members of congress can mail letters and other materials postage-free
