Unit 2: Legislative Branch Flashcards
Bicameral Legislature
Legislature that is divided into two houses, for the US, it’s the House of Reps and Senate.
Quorum
A certain number of government officials must be present for a decision to take place
Franking Privlage
The ability to send mail by ones signature rather than postage
Majority Leader
The chief spokesperson in the Senate for their party
Minority Leader
The floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in congress
Whip
An official of a party that helps the party leader know what the party members are thinking
Congressional Caucus
A group of members of congress that push a political ideology or interests
Filibuster
Unlimited debate meant to stall or kill a bill
Gerrymandering
Redrawing district boundaries to favor a political party
Standing Committee
The permanent committees of each house with the power to report bills in both House and Senate
Select Committee
A temporary Committee in a house made for a specific purpose and a limited time
Joint Committee
Committee in which both senators and representatives serve
Conference Committee
A type of joint committee made to resolve differences in House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.
Discharge Petition
A means of bringing a bill to the floor out of committee to consider it
Unanimous Consent
An agreement on the terms and rules of consideration for a bill or other measure
Political/Policy Agenda
Ideologies and policies issued by political party’s or groups
Logrolling
An agreement between two politicians agree on to support eachother
Divided Government
When different parties control Congress and The White House
Unified Government
When the same party controls both the White House and both parts of the Legislative Branch
Hold
A practice where a senator can inform Senate leadership that they disapprove of a decision
Earmarks
Funds for a specific project by the legislation
Pork Barrel Legislation
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
Trustee
A member of congress that votes for the greater good of the country rather than individualistic goals
Delegate
Someone who speaks on behalf of an organization at a meeting
Politico
A person who acts like a trustee or a delegate, depending on the situation
Cloture Rule
Limits a filibuster to less than 30 hours
Reapportionment
The appointing of Congress members in their new seats
Malapportionment
The practice of distributing House seats into unequal districts,
which diminishes certain district’s representative voice.
Redistricting
The process in which districts are redrawn
Constituency
The voters in a district or state that are represented my a member of congress
Party Polarization
Strong division in the views of Republicans and Democrats on the
legislative agenda
