Legislative Vocab Flashcards
Amendment
A change in, or addition or a constitution or law.
Adjourn
Suspend, as in a session of congress.
Apportion
Distribute as in seats in a legislative body.
Appropriate
Assign to a particular use.
At-large election
Election of an office holder by voters of an entire governmental unit rather by voter of a district or subdivision.
Bicameral
Describes a legislative body composed of two chambers.
Bill
A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.
Bipartisan
supported by two parties
Casework
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.
Cloture
Procedure that will be used to limit or end floor debate.
Coalition
A temporary alliance of several groups who come together to form a working majority to control government.
Coattail Effect
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.
Colleague
Co-worker
Commerce Power
Exclusive power of congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade.
Committee of the Whole
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.
Concurrent Resolution
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.
Continuous body
Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time.
Exclusive powers
Those powers that can be exercised by the federal government alone.
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 (Opposite of Cloture).
Floor Leaders
Members of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out decisions and steer legislation. (Majority/Minority)
Franking Privilege
Benefit allowing members of congress to mail letters and other materials postage free.
Gerrymandering
The drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group.
Grassroots
Of or from the people.
Implied Powers
The delegated powers of the national government that are SUGGESTED by the expressed powers; “Necessary and Proper”
Incumbent
Current Officeholder.
Joint Committee
Legislative committee composed of members of both houses. (Either temporary or permanent)
Joint Resolution
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
Lobbying
Activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators , the legislative process, and all aspects of the public policy making process.
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.
Partisan
Lawmaker who owes his/her first allegiance to his/her political party and votes according to party lines.
Party Caucus
A closed meeting of a party’s House or Senate members. (Party conference)
Politico
A lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of trustee, delegate, and partisan.
Pork barrel
services performed for a group of constituents, whole district, or whole state.
President of the Senate
The presiding officer of the senate; in the U.S. Congress = the Vice President of the U.S.
President Pro tempore
The member of the U.S. senate, chosen to preside in the absence of the President of the Senate.
Prorogue
To adjourn a legislative session.
Quorum
Least number of members who must be present for a legislature to conduct business.
Reapportion
Redistribute, as in seats of a legislative body.
Rider
Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass.
Select Committee
Legislative committee created for a limited time and for a specific purpose.
Seniority Rule
Unwritten rule in both houses reserving the top posts in each chamber; particularly committee chairmanships, for members with the longest records of service.
Session
Period of time each year during which congress assembles and conducts business.
Single-member district
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office.
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House.
Standing Committee
Permanent Committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject area are referred.
Subcommittee
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.
