AP Government Unit 2

House of Representatives

Comprises 435 members, serves 2-year terms, and the number of representatives varies based on state population.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for setting the agenda and leading the majority party.

Senate

Comprises 100 members, each serving a 6-year term, with 2 senators from each state.

Treaty Ratification

The Senate provides constitutional advice and consent through a 2/3 approval vote for treaty ratification.

Filibuster

A tactic in the Senate to prevent a bill from being voted on through continuous speech.

Cloture

A procedure to end debate and take a vote, requiring a 3/5 (60 Senators) majority to overcome a filibuster.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending approved annually by Congress and the President through budget bills.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by existing laws that automatically flows to eligible recipients without annual Congressional vote.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one group over another.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing voting district boundaries to ensure equal population representation.

Reapportionment

The allocation of the 435 House seats among the 50 states based on population changes.

Civil Service

A body of non-elected federal employees responsible for implementing laws and managing government operations.

Merit System

The process for hiring and promoting civil service employees based on qualifications rather than political connections.

Pendleton Act

A federal law that established a merit-based system for federal civil service jobs.

Federalist No.70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong, energetic executive as vital for effective government.

Trustee Model

A representation theory where elected officials use their own judgment to vote.

Delegate Model

A representation theory where elected officials vote to mirror the exact preferences of their constituents.

Politico Model

Lawmakers alternate between acting as delegates and trustees depending on the significance of the issue.

Bureaucracy

The system of federal agencies and institutions that implement and enforce laws.

Independent Executive Agency

Entities created by Congress that operate outside of the cabinet departments.

Independent Regulatory Commission

Agencies that regulate specific sectors of the economy and operate independently of cabinet departments.

Government Corporation

A federal organization that operates like a private business, providing public services and charging fees.