Ap GOV unit3-4

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body consisting of two chambers; the U.S. Congress consists of the House of Representatives and Senate.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, with representation based on state population.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, with equal representation of two senators per state.

Great Compromise

Established a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Proportional Representation

A system in which a state's representation in the House is determined by its population.

Equal Representation

A system in which every state receives the same number of senators regardless of population.

Terms of Office

House members serve two-year terms; senators serve six-year terms.

Size of the House

435 voting members, distributed among states based on population.

Size of the Senate

100 members, with two senators representing each state.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that government derives its power from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

A system in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

17th Amendment

Established the direct popular election of U.S. senators instead of selection by state legislatures.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House who controls debate, recognizes members, and influences the legislative agenda.

President of the Senate

The vice president of the United States, who presides over the Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes.

President Pro Tempore

A senator, traditionally from the majority party, who presides over the Senate in the vice president's absence.

Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party who coordinates legislative strategy and schedules party priorities.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party who organizes opposition and represents the party's interests.

Majority Whip

A party leader who gathers votes and encourages members to support party legislation.

Minority Whip

A party leader who gathers votes and coordinates the minority party's legislative strategy.

Party Caucus

A meeting of party members to discuss strategy, priorities, and legislative decisions.

Committee Leadership

The leadership structure that determines how committees operate and which legislation receives attention.

Standing Committee

A permanent congressional committee that focuses on a particular policy area.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution and granted to the federal government.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically written in the Constitution, especially Article I, Section 8.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from enumerated powers.

Exclusive Powers

Powers granted to only one branch or level of government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers; also called the Elastic Clause.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing Congress flexibility in exercising its powers.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate commerce among the states, with foreign nations, and with Native American tribes.

Taxing Power

Allows Congress to collect taxes to fund government operations and programs.

Spending Power

Allows Congress to spend federal money to provide for national needs and implement policy.

Power of the Purse

Congress's authority to control government spending and approve federal appropriations.

House-Exclusive Powers

The House has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and impeach federal officials.

Senate-Exclusive Powers

The Senate has the exclusive power to conduct impeachment trials, confirm presidential appointments, and ratify treaties.

Impeachment

The formal accusation of misconduct against a federal official by the House of Representatives.

Treaty Ratification

The Senate's authority to approve treaties negotiated by the president, requiring a two-thirds vote of senators present.

Advice and Consent

The Senate's constitutional responsibility to approve presidential nominations and treaties.

Article I

The constitutional article establishing Congress and describing its powers and structure.

Bill

A proposed law introduced in Congress.

Legislative Process

The series of steps a bill must go through before becoming a law.

Policy Creation

The process of developing government solutions to public problems through legislation.

Committee Hearing

A meeting where committee members gather information and testimony from experts, officials, and interested groups.

Markup Session

A committee meeting in which members debate, amend, and revise proposed legislation.

House Rules Committee

A committee that determines how and when most bills will be debated and amended on the House floor.

Open Rule

A House rule allowing members to propose amendments to a bill during floor debate.

Closed Rule

A House rule preventing amendments to a bill during floor debate.

Committee of the Whole

A procedure allowing the House to debate legislation under more flexible rules and with a smaller quorum requirement.

Discharge Petition

A procedure allowing House members to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor if enough members sign.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block legislation through extended debate.

Cloture

A Senate procedure used to end debate and overcome a filibuster, generally requiring three-fifths of the Senate (60 votes).

Unanimous Consent

A Senate agreement allowing a procedure or action to occur without a formal vote if no senator objects.

Senate Hold

An informal practice in which a senator signals opposition or delays consideration of a bill or nomination.

Presidential Veto

The president's formal rejection of a bill passed by Congress.

Override a Veto

Congress can pass a bill over a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the president does not sign a bill within ten days (excluding Sundays) and Congress adjourns in a way that prevents its return.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee made up of House and Senate members that reconciles differences between two versions of a bill.

Enrolled Bill

The final version of a bill approved by both chambers and sent to the president.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Spending provisions that direct federal money toward specific projects in a legislator's district or state.

Logrolling

The practice of legislators exchanging votes to gain support for each other's legislation.

Federal Budget

A financial plan outlining the federal government's expected revenue and spending.

Budget Process

The process through which the president and Congress develop, negotiate, and approve federal spending and revenue plans.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending that Congress determines through annual appropriations.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by existing laws, generally including entitlement programs.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet eligibility requirements.

Social Security

A federal entitlement program providing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

Medicare

A federal health insurance program primarily serving people aged 65 and older and certain younger individuals with disabilities.

Medicaid

A joint federal-state program providing health coverage to eligible low-income individuals.

Tax Revenue

Money collected by the government through taxes.

Budget Deficit

Occurs when government spending exceeds government revenue during a fiscal year.

Budget Surplus

Occurs when government revenue exceeds government spending during a fiscal year.

National Debt

The total accumulated amount of money the federal government owes from past borrowing.

Deficit Spending

Government spending that exceeds its revenue, requiring borrowing to cover the difference.

Interest Group Influence

The ability of organized groups to influence government decisions, including taxation and spending.

Subsidies

Government financial assistance provided to businesses, industries, or individuals.

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974

Established the modern congressional budget process and created the Congressional Budget Office to strengthen Congress's control over federal spending.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

A nonpartisan agency that analyzes the economic and budgetary effects of proposed legislation.

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions involving taxation and spending to influence the economy.

Supply-Side Economics

An economic approach emphasizing lower taxes and reduced regulations to encourage production, investment, and economic growth.

Demand-Side Economics

An economic approach emphasizing consumer demand and government spending to stimulate economic activity.

Keynesian Economics

An economic theory supporting government intervention and spending to stimulate demand during economic downturns.

Adam Smith

A Scottish economist associated with classical capitalism, free markets, and the invisible hand.

Capitalism

An economic system based primarily on private ownership and market competition.

Fiscal Federalism

The distribution of federal money to state and local governments to influence policy and public services.

Categorical Grants

Federal grants given to state and local governments for specific purposes, often with strict requirements.

Block Grants

Federal grants provided to states for broad policy areas with greater flexibility in spending.

Incentives

Financial benefits or rewards used by the federal government to encourage certain state or individual behaviors.

Aid Programs

Government programs that provide financial or material assistance to individuals or communities.

Federal Revenue Sharing

A policy in which the federal government distributes revenue to state and local governments for their use.

10th Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government or prohibited to the states to the states or the people.

Single-Member District

A congressional district that elects one representative to the House.

Plurality Voting

The candidate who receives the most votes wins, even without receiving a majority.

Single-Member District Plurality

A system in which one representative is elected from each district, with the winner receiving the most votes.

Incumbency Advantage

The electoral advantage enjoyed by current officeholders through name recognition, experience, fundraising, and constituent services.

Presidential Election

An election held every four years to select the president and vice president.

Midterm Election

A congressional election occurring halfway through a president's four-year term.

Divided Government

Occurs when different political parties control the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress.

Unified Government

Occurs when the same political party controls the presidency, House, and Senate.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to a political party that can influence political decisions and cooperation.