Unit 2 Legislative Branch

Question 1

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Answer 1

pork barrel spending

Question 2

trading of votes on legislation by members of congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

Answer 2

logrolling

Question 3

a body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator

Answer 3

constituency

Question 4

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

Answer 4

oversight

Question 5

the process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data

Answer 5

apportionment

Question 6

states’ redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts followng each census

Answer 6

redistricting

Question 7

the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters

Answer 7

gerrymandering

Question 8

drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

Answer 8

partisan gerrymandering

Question 9

a district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district

Answer 9

majority-minority district

Question 10

the uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts

Answer 10

malapportionment

Question 11

being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

Answer 11

incumbency

Question 12

institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election

Answer 12

incumbency advantage

Question 13

the leader of the House of Reps, chosen by an election of its members

Answer 13

Speaker of the House

Question 14

the person who is the second in command of the house of reps

Answer 14

house majority leader

Question 15

a member of congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is it ensure party unity and discipline

Answer 15

whip

Question 16

the head of the party with the second highest number of seats in congress, chosen by its party’s members

Answer 16

minority leader

Question 17

the person who has the most power in the senate is the head of the party with the most seats

Answer 17

senate majority leader

Question 18

leader of the congressional committee who has authority over the committees agenda

Answer 18

committee chair

Question 19

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

Answer 19

discharge petition

Question 20

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

Answer 20

house rules committee

Question 21

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

Answer 21

committee of the whole

Question 22

a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill

Answer 22

hold

Question 23

an agreement in the senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill

Answer 23

unanimous consent agreement

Question 24

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

Answer 24

filibuster

Question 25

a procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it

Answer 25

cloture

Question 26

the power of the president to reject a bill passed by congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections

Answer 26

veto

Question 27

program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income

Answer 27

entitlement program

Question 28

spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget

Answer 28

mandatory spending

Question 29

spending for programs and policies at the discretion of congress and the president

Answer 29

discretionary spending

Question 30

the idea that the main duty of a member of congress is to carry out constituents’ wishes

Answer 30

delegate role

Question 31

the idea that members of congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgment

Answer 31

trustee role

Question 32

representation where members of congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties making a decision

Answer 32

politico role

Question 33

agreement between the parties to work together in congress to pass legislation

Answer 33

bipartisanship

Question 34

a slowdown or halt in congress’ ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship

Answer 34

gridlock

Question 35

control of the presidency and one or both chambers of congress split between the two major parties

Answer 35

divided government

Question 36

period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees

Answer 36

lame duck period