APGOV Chapter 4 Flashcards

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress, with representation based on state population. Members serve 2-year terms, making them more responsive to public opinion. Has the exclusive power to initiate revenue bills and impeach federal officials.

Senate

The upper house of Congress, with equal representation (two per state). Senators serve 6-year terms, providing more stability and insulation from public pressure. Has the exclusive power to confirm presidential appointments, ratify treaties, and try impeachments.

Seventeenth Amendment (1913)

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote. Previously, senators were chosen by state legislatures.

Advice and Consent

A power of the Senate to approve (consent to) presidential treaties and appointments (like Cabinet members, federal judges, and ambassadors).

Coalitions

Temporary alliances of members of Congress from different political parties who unite to pass or defeat a particular bill.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Caucuses

Informal groups (also called congressional member organizations) of members of Congress who share common interests or goals (e.g., Black Caucus, Freedom Caucus).

Enumerated Powers (Congress)

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress (e.g., declare war, coin money, regulate interstate commerce).

Implied Powers (Congress)

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from the Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause) to carry out enumerated powers.

War Powers Act (1973)

A law passed to check the president's power to commit the U.S. to armed conflict without Congressional consent. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and to withdraw them after 60 days without Congressional authorization.

Cloture Rule

A Senate procedure to end a filibuster. It requires a three-fifths majority (usually 60 votes) to limit debate and force a vote on a bill.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by prolonging debate indefinitely.

Germane

Relevant to the topic of the bill. The Senate allows non-germane amendments (riders), while the House generally requires amendments to be germane.

To Hold (a Bill)

An informal practice in the Senate where a senator informs their party leader that they do not wish a particular bill to reach the floor for debate.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors, especially by trading votes to secure passage of projects of interest to each other.

Omnibus Bill

A single bill that packages together several smaller bills on different topics, often used to pass controversial legislation by combining it with more popular measures.

Pork-Barrel Spending

Government spending for localized projects that primarily benefit a representative's home district or state, often used to secure voter support.

Rider

An unrelated provision (amendment) added to a bill, often in the Senate, because it would not pass on its own. Used to force the president to accept a disliked provision or veto the entire bill.

To Sponsor (a Bill)

To be the primary supporter and advocate who introduces a bill for consideration.

Unanimous Consent

A legislative process in the Senate where business is conducted with no objections. If any senator objects, the action is blocked.

Committee of the Whole

A procedure in the House where it transforms itself into a committee to debate and amend bills with less formal rules and a lower quorum (100 members).

Conference Committee

A temporary, ad hoc committee composed of House and Senate members to reconcile differences in bills that have passed both chambers.

Discharge Petition

A motion in the House to force a bill out of a committee and onto the floor for a vote, bypassing the committee leadership. Requires a majority (218) signatures.

Joint Committees

Committees with members from both the House and Senate that conduct studies or perform housekeeping tasks (e.g., Joint Economic Committee).

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States.

President Pro Tempore

A senior senator from the majority party who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Largely a ceremonial role.

Rules Committee

A powerful committee in the House that sets the conditions for debate and amendment of most bills (the 'traffic cop' of the House).

Select Committee

A temporary committee established for a specific purpose, such as an investigation (e.g., Select Committee on the January 6 Attack).

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful member of the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and managing the business of the majority party.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and most powerful member of the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party.

Ways and Means Committee

The chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. It has jurisdiction over all taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures.

The Whips (Majority/Minority)

Party leaders in each house who are responsible for counting votes and persuading party members to vote along party lines.

Deficit

The amount by which government spending exceeds revenue in a single fiscal year.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that is approved on an annual basis through the appropriations process (e.g., defense, education).

Mandatory Spending

Government spending required by law for entitlement programs and interest on the debt. It is not controlled by the annual appropriations process.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs (like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid) that provide benefits to all eligible individuals. Spending is mandatory.

Delegate Model

A model of representation where a member of Congress follows the expressed wishes of their constituents.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or class.

Gridlock

A situation where the government is unable to pass laws or make significant policy decisions because of partisan disagreement, often exacerbated by divided government.

"Lame Duck" President

A president who is in office but cannot run for re-election (after a successor has been elected or due to term limits). Their power is often perceived as diminished.

"One Person-One Vote" Principle

The principle that electoral districts must have roughly equal populations, so each person's vote has equal weight. Established by the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr.

Politico Model

A model of representation where a member of Congress acts as either a delegate or a trustee depending on the issue, balancing constituent desires, party agenda, and personal belief.

Racial Gerrymandering

Drawing electoral district lines to dilute or concentrate the voting power of racial minorities. Ruled unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment.

Swing District

An electoral district where no single candidate or party has overwhelming support, making it a target for both parties during elections.

Trustee Model

A model of representation where a member of Congress uses their own judgment to make decisions they believe are best for their constituents and the country, even if it is unpopular.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

North Carolina created a strangely shaped majority-minority congressional district. White voters challenged it as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Tennessee voters sued the state, arguing that its legislative districts had not been redrawn in decades, despite major population shifts from rural to urban areas, diluting their voting power.