murphy unit 6 congress

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster; requires 60 votes to cut off debate and move to a vote.

Outline the steps it takes for a Bill to become a law

1. Bill introduced in House or Senate → 2. Sent to committee → 3. Subcommittee hearings and markups → 4. Full committee approval → 5. Floor debate and vote → 6. Sent to the other chamber for the same process → 7. Conference committee resolves differences → 8. Final approval by both chambers → 9. President signs, vetoes, or allows it to become law without signature.

Congressional Oversight

Congress’s power to monitor and review the executive branch, agencies, and programs to ensure they follow the law and use funds properly.

Distributive Policy

Government policy that provides benefits or resources to specific groups or regions, often through spending projects.

Joint Committee

A committee made up of members from both the House and Senate, usually for coordinating investigations or studies.

Gridlock

When Congress is unable to pass legislation due to political divisions or conflict between the House, Senate, or President.

Logrolling

The practice of lawmakers exchanging votes to support each other’s bills or projects.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Spending on local projects added to bills to help a representative’s district and gain political favor.

Malapportionment

Unequal distribution of population among congressional districts, resulting in unequal representation.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and most powerful member of the House of Representatives; sets the agenda and leads the majority party.

Rules Committee

House committee that determines the rules for debate, amendments, and voting on bills before they reach the floor.

Select Committees

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose, such as investigating an issue or event.

Regulatory Policy

Government rules that control or direct behavior of individuals or businesses to protect public interests.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress that handle legislation on specific topics like finance, defense, or agriculture.

Whips

Party leaders who assist the floor leaders by tracking votes, persuading members, and maintaining party discipline.

Sophomore Surge

The increase in votes that congressional candidates often receive when running for re-election after their first term.

Leadership of both houses

HOUSE: Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, Majority Whip. SENATE: Vice President (President of the Senate), Majority Leader, Minority Leader.

Senatorial Courtesy

Tradition allowing senators from the President’s party to approve or reject judicial nominees from their state.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block a vote on a bill by speaking continuously or taking other actions.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to conduct official business; in Congress, a majority of members must be present.

Marginal Districts

Congressional districts where elections are close and either party has a chance of winning.

Safe Districts (Seats)

Districts where one party consistently wins by a large margin.

Conservative Coalition

Alliance between conservative Democrats and Republicans, especially common in the mid-20th century.

Party Polarization

The growing ideological divide between political parties, leading to less compromise.

Conference Committees

Joint committees formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Requirements to be in the House and Senate

HOUSE: at least 25 years old, U.S. citizen for 7 years, resident of the state. SENATE: at least 30 years old, U.S. citizen for 9 years, resident of the state.

Term of office in House and Senate

HOUSE: 2 years. SENATE: 6 years, with 1/3 elected every two years.

Public Bill

A bill that applies to the general public or nation as a whole.

Private Bill

A bill that applies to a specific person, group, or local area.

Simple Resolution

A measure passed by one chamber that affects only that chamber (e.g., rules or procedures); not a law.

Concurrent Resolution

A measure passed by both chambers expressing a position or opinion but not having the force of law.

Joint Resolution

A measure passed by both houses and signed by the President; has the force of law and is used for special circumstances like constitutional amendments.

Closed Rule

A rule set by the House Rules Committee limiting or forbidding amendments to a bill during debate.

Open Rule

A rule that allows amendments to a bill during floor debate.

Restrictive Rule

A rule that permits only certain kinds of amendments to be made to a bill.

Discharge Petition

A petition signed by House members to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail to constituents at government expense.

CBO (Congressional Budget Office)

Nonpartisan office that provides Congress with economic data and cost estimates for proposed legislation.

Steps of proposing and ratifying an Amendment

Proposal: by 2/3 of both houses of Congress OR a national convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures. Ratification: by 3/4 of state legislatures OR by conventions in 3/4 of states.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries every 10 years after the census, done by state legislatures in most states.