Unit 2: Legislative Branch Flashcards

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1
Q

Bicameral Legislature

A

Legislature that is divided into two houses, for the US, it’s the House of Reps and Senate.

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2
Q

Quorum

A

A certain number of government officials must be present for a decision to take place

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3
Q

Franking Privlage

A

The ability to send mail by ones signature rather than postage

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4
Q

Majority Leader

A

The chief spokesperson in the Senate for their party

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5
Q

Minority Leader

A

The floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in congress

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6
Q

Whip

A

An official of a party that helps the party leader know what the party members are thinking

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7
Q

Congressional Caucus

A

A group of members of congress that push a political ideology or interests

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8
Q

Filibuster

A

Unlimited debate meant to stall or kill a bill

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9
Q

Gerrymandering

A

Redrawing district boundaries to favor a political party

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10
Q

Standing Committee

A

The permanent committees of each house with the power to report bills in both House and Senate

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11
Q

Select Committee

A

A temporary Committee in a house made for a specific purpose and a limited time

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12
Q

Joint Committee

A

Committee in which both senators and representatives serve

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13
Q

Conference Committee

A

A type of joint committee made to resolve differences in House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.

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14
Q

Discharge Petition

A

A means of bringing a bill to the floor out of committee to consider it

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15
Q

Unanimous Consent

A

An agreement on the terms and rules of consideration for a bill or other measure

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16
Q

Political/Policy Agenda

A

Ideologies and policies issued by political party’s or groups

16
Q

Logrolling

A

An agreement between two politicians agree on to support eachother

17
Q

Divided Government

A

When different parties control Congress and The White House

18
Q

Unified Government

A

When the same party controls both the White House and both parts of the Legislative Branch

19
Q

Hold

A

A practice where a senator can inform Senate leadership that they disapprove of a decision

20
Q

Earmarks

A

Funds for a specific project by the legislation

21
Q

Pork Barrel Legislation

A

Legislation that provides benefits to constituents in a
particular district or state in the hope of winning their votes in return. For example:
providing funding to build a bridge in a particular city

22
Q

Trustee

A

A member of congress that votes for the greater good of the country rather than individualistic goals

23
Q

Delegate

A

Someone who speaks on behalf of an organization at a meeting

24
Q

Politico

A

A person who acts like a trustee or a delegate, depending on the situation

25
Q

Cloture Rule

A

Limits a filibuster to less than 30 hours

26
Q

Reapportionment

A

The appointing of Congress members in their new seats

27
Q

Malapportionment

A

The practice of distributing House seats into unequal districts,
which diminishes certain district’s representative voice.

28
Q

Redistricting

A

The process in which districts are redrawn

29
Q

Constituency

A

The voters in a district or state that are represented my a member of congress

30
Q

Party Polarization

A

Strong division in the views of Republicans and Democrats on the
legislative agenda