UNIT 2A: CONGRESS

Question 1

Pork Barrel Spending

Answer 1

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Question 2

Logrolling

Answer 2

Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

Question 3

Constituency

Answer 3

A body of voters in a given area who elect a presentative or senator

Question 4

Apportionment

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Redistricting

Answer 5

States redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census

Question 6

Gerrymandering

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Majority-Minority district

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Incumbency

Answer 8

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

Question 9

House majority leader

Answer 9

the person who is the second in command of the House of Reps

Question 10

Whip

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Minority leaders

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Senate majority leader

Answer 12

the person who has the most power in the Senate is the head of the part with the most seats

Question 13

Committee Chair

Answer 13

Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committees agenda

Question 14

Discharge petition

Answer 14

a motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Reps for a vote

Question 15

House Rules of Committee

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Committee of the Whole

Answer 16

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different riles, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

Question 17

Hold

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Unanimous consent agreement

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Cloture

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Entitlement Program

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Mandatory Spending

Answer 21

Spending required by existing laws that is locked in budget

Question 22

discretionary spending

Answer 22

spending for programs and policies at the discretion on Congress and the President

Question 23

Delegate Role

Answer 23

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents wishes

Question 24

Trustee Role

Answer 24

The idea that the main duty of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Question 25

Gridlock

Answer 25

A slowdown or halt in Congress ability to legislate and overcome divisions especially, those based on partisanship

Question 26

Lame duck period

Answer 26

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