ch 10 congress

Fillibuster

Senators may speak as long as they wish to prevent voting on a bill.

Cloture

A motion to close debate and force a final vote. Fillibuster ends only when 60 or more senators vote for it.

Killer amendment

Are designed to change the intent of the legislation so significantly that the bil is guaranteed to fail.

Requirements for House of Rep

U.S. citizens for at least 7 years and at least 25 years old.

Require for Senate

Senators must live in their state, be at least 30 years old.

Leadership in the House of Rep

such as the Speaker of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders, and Whips, who guide legislative agenda and strategy.

Responsibilities of Majority/Minority leader

They organize their party, help plan legislation, and work to gain support for their party’s ideas.

Leadership in the Senate

includes the Vice President, President pro tempore, Majority and Minority Leaders, and Whips, who manage Senate operations and strategy.

Gerrymadering

is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another, often resulting in oddly shaped districts.

Packing

Concentrates people into certain districts to ensure an advantage for their preferred candidates

Cracking

Divides groups who typically vote in similar ways across districts to weaken thier voting power

Party Caucus

A meeting of membres of the same politcal party to discuss issues and choose leaders.

Logrolling

When lawmakers agree to support each others bills or projects

Divided Party Governemtn

When different politcal parties control different parts of the federal government

Standing Committe

A permanent committee in Congress that focuses on specific subjects or areas of legislation, reviewing bills and overseeing agencies related to their jurisdiction.

Appropriations Committe

A committee that decides how federal money will be spent

Rules Committe

A house committe that determines how and when bills will be debated and voted on.

Seniority

The amount of time a member has served in congress

Pork Barrel legislation

Government spending used to fund projects that benefit a particular district or state.

Casework

Help that members of congress provide to constituents with problem involving goverment aganecies.

Whip

A party member in Congress responsible for party discipline, ensuring attendance for votes, and communicating party priorities to members.