Chapter 6: Congress

Vocabulary flashcards covering the U.S. Congress, including chamber characteristics, congressional leadership, committee types, legislative procedures, spending types, and representation models.

Bicameralism

The practice of having two chambers in a legislature, exemplified by the U.S. Congress consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress consisting of 435 voting members distributed by state population, serving 2-year terms, led by the Speaker, and where revenue-raising bills must originate.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress consisting of 100 senators (two per state) serving 6-year terms, which confirms many presidential appointments and approves treaties.

Apportionment

The process of dividing the 435 House seats among the states based on population using census data to determine how many seats each state gets.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts, usually after the census, to determine where district lines go.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and leading figure in the House majority party who influences the legislative agenda.

Majority leader

A congressional leader who helps lead the majority party and organize its legislative priorities.

Minority leader

A congressional leader who leads the party with fewer seats and coordinates its opposition.

Whips

Party leaders who count votes, communicate party positions, and encourage members to vote with their party.

President pro tempore

A senator, traditionally a senior member of the majority party, who presides over the Senate when the vice president is absent.

Party caucus/conference

A meeting or organization of party members in Congress to discuss goals, policies, and leadership.

Standing committees

Permanent committees that focus on specific policy areas (such as agriculture, education, or defense) and review and revise bills in those areas.

Select committees

Committees usually created for a particular investigation or issue that may be temporary or continue for longer periods.

Joint committees

Committees that include members of both the House and Senate to conduct studies, coordinate work, or address shared concerns.

Conference committees

Temporary committees made up of House and Senate members that negotiate a compromise when the chambers pass different versions of a bill.

Discharge petition

A House procedure that can force a bill out of committee for consideration if a majority of House members sign, bypassing a committee that refuses to act.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block action on a bill, often by extending debate or threatening to do so, preventing a bill from reaching a final vote.

Cloture

A Senate procedure to end debate and move toward a vote, which usually takes three-fifths of the Senate, or 60 votes, for legislation.

Hold

An informal request by a senator to delay Senate action on a matter, which can slow down bills or nominations.

Authorization

Legislation that establishes or continues a program and may set spending limits, giving a program legal authority to operate.

Appropriations

Legislation that provides government agencies with funding, making money available for programs.

Oversight

The process of Congress monitoring executive branch agencies and programs to ensure laws are implemented properly and funds are used as intended.

Casework

Congressional assistance provided to individual constituents dealing with government agencies, such as resolving a delayed Social Security payment.

Pork-barrel spending (pork)

Government spending directed toward projects that benefit a particular district or state, such as funding for a local bridge or community project.

Logrolling

An arrangement where legislators exchange support for one another's proposals, such as agreeing to support a transportation bill in exchange for support on a farm bill.

Incumbency advantage

The benefits current officeholders have when running for reelection, including name recognition, fundraising networks, and experience.

Delegate model

A theory of representation where the representative votes according to what the constituents want, even if the representative personally disagrees.

Trustee model

A theory of representation where the representative makes decisions based on their own knowledge, experience, and personal judgment about what is best.

Politico model

A theory of representation where the representative acts as a delegate on some issues and a trustee on others, depending on the situation.

Pocket veto

An indirect veto that occurs when Congress adjourns in a way that prevents a bill's return and the president does not sign it within 10 days (excluding Sundays).

Veto override

The action by which Congress can enact a bill into law despite a presidential veto by passing it with a two-thirds vote in each chamber.