Legislative Vocab

Question 0

Amendment

Answer 0

A change in, or addition or a constitution or law.

Question 1

Adjourn

Answer 1

Suspend, as in a session of congress.

Question 2

Apportion

Answer 2

Distribute as in seats in a legislative body.

Question 3

Appropriate

Answer 3

Assign to a particular use.

Question 4

At-large election

Answer 4

Election of an office holder by voters of an entire governmental unit rather by voter of a district or subdivision.

Question 5

Bicameral

Answer 5

Describes a legislative body composed of two chambers.

Question 6

Bill

Answer 6

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.

Question 7

Bipartisan

Answer 7

supported by two parties

Question 8

Casework

Answer 8

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have the right to get.

Question 10

Cloture

Answer 10

Procedure that will be used to limit or end floor debate.

Question 11

Coalition

Answer 11

A temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control government.

Question 12

Coattail Effect

Answer 12

The effect of a strong candidate running for an office at the top of a ballot helping to attract voters to other candidates on the party ticket.

Question 13

Colleague

Answer 13

Co-worker

Question 14

Commerce Power

Answer 14

Exclusive power of congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade.

Question 15

Committee of the Whole

Answer 15

A committee that consists of an entire legislative body: used when a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.

Question 16

Concurrent Resolution

Answer 16

A statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law and does not require a presidential signature.

Question 17

Continuous body

Answer 17

Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time.

Question 18

Exclusive powers

Answer 18

Those powers that can be exercised by the federal government alone.

Question 19

Filibuster

Answer 19

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 (Opposite of Cloture).

Question 20

Floor Leaders

Answer 20

Members of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out decisions and steer legislation. (Majority/Minority)

Question 21

Franking Privilege

Answer 21

Benefit allowing members of congress to mail letters and other materials postage free.

Question 22

Gerrymandering

Answer 22

The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group.

Question 23

Grassroots

Answer 23

Of or from the people.

Question 24

Implied Powers

Answer 24

The delegated powers of the national government that are SUGGESTED by the expressed powers; “Necessary and Proper”

Question 25

Incumbent

Answer 25

Current Officeholder.

Question 26

Joint Committee

Answer 26

Legislative committee composed of members of both houses. (Either temporary or permanent)

Question 27

Joint Resolution

Answer 27

A proposal or action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters. Ex. Annex territories, correct legislation, presidential inauguration money

Question 28

Lobbying

Answer 28

Activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators , the legislative process, and all aspects of the public policy making process.

Question 29

Off-year election

Answer 29

Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years.

Question 30

Oversight function

Answer 30

Review by legislative committees of the policies and programs of the executive branch.

Question 31

Partisan

Answer 31

Lawmaker who owes his/her first allegiance to his/her political party and votes according to party lines.

Question 32

Party Caucus

Answer 32

A closed meeting of a party’s House or Senate members. (Party conference)

Question 33

Politico

Answer 33

A lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of trustee, delegate, and partisan.

Question 34

Pork barrel

Answer 34

services performed for a group of constituents, whole district, or whole state.

Question 35

President of the Senate

Answer 35

The presiding officer of the senate; in the U.S. Congress = the Vice President of the U.S.

Question 36

President Pro tempore

Answer 36

The member of the U.S. senate, chosen to preside in the absence of the President of the Senate.

Question 37

Prorogue

Answer 37

To adjourn a legislative session.

Question 38

Quorum

Answer 38

Least number of members who must be present for a legislature to conduct business.

Question 39

Reapportion

Answer 39

Redistribute, as in seats of a legislative body.

Question 40

Rider

Answer 40

Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass.

Question 41

Select Committee

Answer 41

Legislative committee created for a limited time and for a specific purpose.

Question 42

Seniority Rule

Answer 42

Unwritten rule in both houses reserving the top posts in each chamber; particularly committee chairmanships, for members with the longest records of service.

Question 43

Session

Answer 43

Period of time each year during which congress assembles and conducts business.

Question 44

Single-member district

Answer 44

Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office.

Question 45

Speaker of the House

Answer 45

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House.

Question 46

Standing Committee

Answer 46

Permanent Committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject area are referred.

Question 47

Subcommittee

Answer 47

Division of existing committee that is formed to address specific issues. Whips: Assistant to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshalling party votes.