Legislature Branch Key Terms

Question 1

Advice and consent

Answer 1

Presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts and treaties confirmed by the Senate by a two-thirds vote.

Question 2

caucus

Answer 2

Organization of members of the House/Senate (or both) to discuss issues of concern, perform legislative research, and policy planning

Question 3

House Judiciary
Committee

Answer 3

Standing committee of the House charged with administration of justice within federal courts, agencies and Federal law enforcement

Question 4

Ways and Means
Committee

Answer 4

along with the Senate Finance Committee, writes the tax codes, subject to the approval of Congress as a whole

Question 5

Congressional oversight

Answer 5

Executive Branch Congressional oversight that reviews, monitors, and supervises federal agencies, programs, activities, and policies

Question 6

Discharge petition

Answer 6

A majority vote used in the House that starts a process to force a bill out of committee and to the House floor for a vote

Question 7

Mandatory spending

Answer 7

Federal budget that must be enacted each year by law, not dependent on annual review

Question 8

Discretionary spending

Answer 8

Government spending implemented through an appropriations bill. This spending is an optional part of fiscal policy

Question 9

earmark

Answer 9

Provision inserted into a discretionary spending appropriations bill that directs funds to a specific recipient

Question 10

riders

Answer 10

An additional provision added to a bill having little connection with the subject matter of the bill

Question 11

filibuster

Answer 11

Informal term for an attempt to block/delay Senate action on a bill or other matter by debating it or by other obstructive actions.
Cloture rule