Unit 2 Legislative Branch Flashcards
Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states
pork barrel spending
trading of votes on legislation by members of congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation
logrolling
a body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator
constituency
efforts by congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments, as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with their congressional goals
oversight
the process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data
apportionment
states’ redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts followng each census
redistricting
the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters
gerrymandering
drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party
partisan gerrymandering
a district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district
majority-minority district
the uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts
malapportionment
being already in office as opposed to running for the first time
incumbency
institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election
incumbency advantage
the leader of the House of Reps, chosen by an election of its members
Speaker of the House
the person who is the second in command of the house of reps
house majority leader
a member of congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is it ensure party unity and discipline
whip
the head of the party with the second highest number of seats in congress, chosen by its party’s members
minority leader
the person who has the most power in the senate is the head of the party with the most seats
senate majority leader
leader of the congressional committee who has authority over the committees agenda
committee chair
a motion filed by a member of congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the house of representatives for a vote
discharge petition
a powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the house floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor
house rules committee
consists of all members of the house and meets in the house chamber, but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation
committee of the whole
a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill
hold
an agreement in the senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill
unanimous consent agreement
a tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation
filibuster
a procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it
cloture
the power of the president to reject a bill passed by congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections
veto
program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income
entitlement program
spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget
mandatory spending
spending for programs and policies at the discretion of congress and the president
discretionary spending
the idea that the main duty of a member of congress is to carry out constituents’ wishes
delegate role
the idea that members of congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgment
trustee role
representation where members of congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties making a decision
politico role
agreement between the parties to work together in congress to pass legislation
bipartisanship
a slowdown or halt in congress’ ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship
gridlock
control of the presidency and one or both chambers of congress split between the two major parties
divided government
period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees
lame duck period
