Legislative Branch Flashcards
Veto
Chief executives power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
Whip
Assistants to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes
Trustee
Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement, not the views of his or her constituents
Term
Two year period of time during which Congress meets.
Strict Constructionist
One who argues a narrow interpretation of the Constitutions provisions, in particular those granting powers to the Federal Government
Special Session
An extraordinary of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and and from the majority party in the House
Reapportion
Redistribute, as in seats in a legislative body
Politico
Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles
Party Caucus
A closed meeting of a party’s House or Senate members; also called a party conference
Partisan
Lawmaker who owes his/her first allegiance to his/her political party and votes according to the party line
Off-year Election
Congressional election that occurs between Presidential election years
Oversight Function
Review by legislative committees of the policies and programs of the Executive branch
Liberal Constructionists
One who argues a broad interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, particularly those granting powers to the Federal Government
Joint Committee
Legislative committee composed of members of both houses
Inherent Powers
Powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegated to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community
Implied Powers
Those delegated powers of the National Government that are suggested by the expressed powers set out in the Constitution; those “necessary and proper” to carry out the expressed powers
Gerrymandering
The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
Franking Privilege
Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
Floor Leaders
Members of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals
Filibuster
Various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in a legislative body by preventing a final vote; associated with the U.S Senate
Expressed Powers
Those delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution; also called the “enumerated powers”
Continuous Body
Governing unit( e.g the United States Senate) whose seats are never all up for election at the same time
Constituency
The people and interests that an elected official represents
Consensus
General agreement among various groups on fundamental matters; broad agreement on public questions
Bill
A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
At-Large Election
Election of an officeholder by the voters of an entire governmental unit(e.g a State or country) rather then by the voters of a district or subdivision
Apportion
Distribute, as in seats in a legislative body
Committee Chairman
Member who heads a standing committee in a legislative body
Adjourn
Suspend, as in a session of Congress
Cloture
Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate in a legislative body
Conference Committee
Temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses versions of a bill
