Unit 2 ap gov dixon

Apportionment/Reapportionment

The process of allocating House seats based on population changes from the census.

Appropriations

Funding allocated by Congress for specific government programs or departments.

Bicameral

A legislative body with two chambers, such as the House and Senate.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Chairpersons

Leaders of congressional committees, usually from the majority party.

Committee of the Whole

A House committee that allows for quicker debate and voting.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee that reconciles differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congressional Sessions

The period during which Congress meets, usually lasting one year within a two-year term.

Constituencies

The voters represented by an elected official.

Discharge Petition

A procedure to force a bill out of committee for a full House vote.

Floor

The chamber where House and Senate members debate and vote on legislation.

Incumbent

A current officeholder running for re-election.

Joint Committee

A committee with members from both the House and Senate.

Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in either chamber.

Markup

The process of editing and revising a bill in committee.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party in either chamber.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the U.S., who presides over Senate sessions.

President Pro Tempore

The senior-most senator of the majority party, who presides in the VP's absence.

Removal Powers

The authority to remove officials through impeachment.

Rules Committee

A House committee that sets the terms for debate and voting on bills.

Select Committee

A temporary committee formed to address a specific issue.

Seniority

Status based on years of service.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and most powerful member of the House.

Standing Committee

A permanent congressional committee focused on specific policy areas.

Terms of Office

2 years for House, 6 years for Senate.

Unanimous Consent Procedures

Senate agreements that expedite legislative action without objection.

Ways and Means Committee

The powerful House committee that oversees taxation and revenue.

Whips

Party leaders who ensure party members vote with leadership.

Appropriations Bill

A bill that authorizes government spending.

Authorization Bill

A law that creates a government program and sets funding level.

Bipartisan

Supported by members of both major political parties.

Budget Resolution

A non-binding resolution setting spending and revenue targets.

Bundling

Collecting campaign contributions from multiple donors.

Continuing Resolutions

Temporary funding measures for when a budget isn't passed.

Deficits and Debts

Deficit: spending > revenue. Debt: accumulated deficits.

Earmarks

Special funding for specific projects added to a bill.

Entitlements

Programs guaranteeing benefits, like Social Security.

Filibuster and Cloture

Senate tactic to block a bill; cloture ends it with 60 votes.

Fiscal Policies of Congress

Taxation and spending decisions to influence the economy.

Fiscal Year

Gov accounting period Oct 1 – Sep 30.

Hastert Rule

House only votes on bills with majority party support.

Hearings

Committee sessions gathering info and testimony.

Logrolling

Trading votes to pass legislation.

Nuclear Option

Senate rule change allowing simple majority for some actions.

OMB vs. CBO

OMB works for the president; CBO gives independent budget analysis.

Omnibus Bill

A large bill covering multiple issues.

Oversight

Congress monitoring executive implementation of laws.

Pork Barrel Spending

Spending for local projects to benefit legislator’s district.

Riders

Unrelated amendments added to a bill.

Senatorial Advice and Consent

Senate approval of appointments and treaties.

Subpoena Powers

Power to compel testimony and documents.

Delegate

Votes based on constituent preferences.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one party.

Lame-Duck

Outgoing official with reduced power.

Legislative Gridlock

Deadlock where laws can't pass.

Politico

Mix of delegate and trustee voting.

Trustee

Votes based on personal judgment.

Bully Pulpit

President using visibility to influence public opinion.

Chief Executive

President as head of executive branch.

Commander in Chief

President as head of U.S. military.

Executive Agreements

International agreements without Senate approval.

Executive Orders

Directives with force of law.

Foreign Policy Leader

President leads diplomacy and foreign affairs.

Formal Powers

Powers explicitly granted in the Constitution.

Informal Powers

Powers developed through practice and precedent.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

Committee of senior military advisers.

National Security Council

Advises president on security and foreign policy.

Nomination Authority

President nominates officials (Senate confirms).

OMB

Assists president in budget development.

Recess Appointments

Temporary appointments during Senate recess.

Succession

Order of presidential replacement.

Terms and Limits

Two 4-year terms (max 10 years).

Veto and Pocket Veto

Reject bill; pocket veto occurs if Congress adjourns.

Impeach and Remove

House impeaches, Senate removes.

Override

Congress overrides veto with 2/3 vote.

Power of the Purse

Congress controls funding.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Reviews judicial nominations.

Treaty Approval

Senate approves treaties with 2/3 vote.

War Powers Resolution

Limits president's military deployment authority.

Coattails

Popular president boosts party candidates.

Crisis Manager

President leads during crises.

Media Manipulation

Shaping news to influence opinion.

Policy Initiatives

Major proposals by president.

Spin

Portraying info favorably.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

'Friend of the court' briefs.

Appellate Jurisdiction

Higher court reviews lower court decisions.

Civil Courts

Handle non-criminal disputes.

Courts of Appeal

Intermediate federal courts reviewing cases.

Courts of Origin

Trial courts.

Criminal Courts

Handle criminal law violations.

District Courts

Lowest federal courts.

Dual Court System

Federal + state courts.

General Jurisdiction

Broad authority courts.

Judicial Review

Power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Life Terms

Federal judges serve for life.

Limited & Exclusive Jurisdiction

Specific or sole court authority.

Litigants and Standing

Parties & legal standing.

Plaintiffs

Those who bring lawsuits.

Rule of 4

4 justices needed for certiorari.

Writs of Certiorari

Supreme Court requests records.