Unit 2 Flashcards
caucuses
groups of like-minded people organized into caucuses
coalitions
an alliance for combined action
House of Representatives
A part of Congress that is elected every two years to represent the people
necessary and proper clause
A clause that gives Congress the power “to make all Laws which shall
be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers.”
Also called the elastic clause.
power of the purse
The first congressional power enumerated is the power to raise revenue
Senate
A part of Congress that is elected every 6 years to represent the states
17th Amendment
An amendment that broadened democracy by giving the people of the state the right to elect their senators
War Powers Act
A law that requires the president to inform Congress about the engagement of US troops 48 hours in advance
cloture rule
A rule that allows a super majority to stop a debate on a bill
Committee of the Whole
A committee mad to allow for longer debates in the House of Representatives
conference committees
A temporary move to iron out differences in a bill that was passed in each house that has differences.
deficit
difference between spending and revenue
discharge petitions
A way too bring a bill of a reluctant committee
discretionary spending
funding that congressional committees debate
and decide how to divide up.
filibuster
Stalling a bill
germane
relevant to a subject under considerations
hold
a measure to stall a bill
joint committees
A committees that unite members from the House and Senate
logrolling
trading votes to gain support for a bill
mandatory spending
Payment required by law for certain program
omnibus bill
includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple
programs.
pork-barrel spending
funds earmarked for specific purpose in a legislator’s district
President of the Senate
The vice President
president pro tempore
temporary President of the Senate
rider
non-germane agreements
Rules committee
a committee that can dispose if a bill for debate
select commities
temporary committees
Senate majority leader
A position in the senate more powerful than the vice president and the pro tem
Speaker of the House
The most powerful member of the House
sponsor
The member who introduces a bill to Congress
unanimous consent
approval of all senators
Ways and Means Committee
A committee exclusive to the House that determines tax policy
whip
deputy leader
Baker v. Carr
A Supreme Court Case that established the one person - one vote principle
delegate model
members trying to reflect the will of the constituency
gerrymandering
illogical districts made to give one party an advantage
gridlock
the “congestion” of opposing forces that prevents ideas from moving forward
lame duck president
An executive who has not won reelection or closing in on the end of the second term, highlighting the partisan divide in government
one person - one vote
A principle that expanded democratic participation
politico model
the attempts to blend both delegate and trustee models
racial gerrymandering
Gerrymandering districts based on race
Shaw v. Reno
A Supreme Court Case based on racial gerrymandering
swing district
marginal seats
trustee model
When a representative use their best judgment for their constituency
bargaining and persuasion
a way to get Congress to agree and pass legislation
formal powers
powers given to the president by Article 2
informal powers
Presidential powers interpreted to be inherent in the office
policy agenda
a set of issues that are significant to people involved in policymaking.
veto
rejection of a bill by the president
