Congress

Pork Barrel Spending

When Congress members spend government money on local projects to please voters.

Logrolling

Lawmakers trading votes — 'You vote for my bill, I’ll vote for yours.'

Oversight

Congress checking how the executive branch carries out laws.

Constituency

The people a lawmaker represents (their voters).

Apportionment

Dividing House seats among states based on population.

Redistricting

Redrawing district lines after the census.

Gerrymandering

Changing district lines to favor one political party.

Partisan Gerrymandering

When one political party redraws districts to help themselves win more seats.

Majority-Minority Districts

Districts made mostly of racial or ethnic minorities so they can elect a representative.

Malapportionment

When districts have very different populations — causes unfair representation.

Incumbency

The person already holding political office.

Incumbency Advantage

The benefits current officeholders have (name recognition, experience, etc.).

Speaker of the House

The top leader of the House of Representatives.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A group that raises money to support candidates or causes.

House Majority Leader

The second most powerful person in the House; helps plan the party’s agenda.

Whip

Makes sure party members vote the way the party wants.

Minority Leader

The leader of the smaller political party in Congress.

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful person in the Senate; controls what bills are discussed.

Committee Chair

The leader of a congressional committee.

Discharge Petition

Lets the House force a bill out of committee for a full vote.

House Rules Committee

Sets rules for debate and voting on bills in the House.

Committee of the Whole

When all House members act as one big committee to speed up debate.

Hold

When a senator delays a bill by asking for more time to review it.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

When all senators agree to speed up the process if no one objects.

Filibuster

A long Senate speech used to block or delay a vote.

Cloture

A vote to end a filibuster (needs 60 votes).

Veto

When the president rejects a bill from Congress.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Helps the president create the yearly budget.

Entitlement Program

Government programs that give benefits to people who qualify (like Social Security).

Mandatory Spending

Money the government must spend by law (like entitlements).

Discretionary Spending

Money Congress chooses how to spend (like defense or education).

Budget Surplus

When the government makes more money than it spends.

Budget Deficit

When the government spends more than it earns.

National Debt

The total amount of money the government owes.

Delegate Role

When a lawmaker votes how their voters want.

Trustee Role

When a lawmaker votes based on their own judgment.

Politico Role

A mix of delegate and trustee roles — depends on the issue.

Bipartisanship

When both parties work together.

Gridlock

When nothing gets done because of political disagreements.

Divided Government

When one party controls Congress and the other controls the presidency.

Lame Duck Period

Time after a new president is elected but the old one is still in office.

Informal powers

powers not given in the constitution, but used to carry out the presidential duties.

Going public

A president/politician appeals to the public to build support for their policies.

Executive Privilege

The right of the president to withhold certain information from the legislative and judicial branches.

Formal (or enumerated) powers

Powers expressly granted in the constitution

State of the Union Address

The annual speech from pres to congress updating them on national affairs

Bargaining and Persuasion

A inform presidential power used to influence congress. To support legislative agenda

Sighing statement

Written pronouncement (announcement) issued by the pews after sighing a bill

Treaty

An ageeement with a foreign government negotiated by the pres

Executive branch

The branch of government charges with putting national laws into effect

Veto

The power of pres to reject a bill passed by congress

Bully pulpit

A public office/position of at give opportunity to speak out and be listened too

Pocket veto

When a Pres chooses not l sign a bill within 10 days if congress meets up or is passed or rejected

Executive order

Policy directives kissing presidents that do not require congressional approval

Impeachment

Brining charges against a government official for wrongdoing

Executive Agreement

an agreement between the u.s. Pres and a foreign gov senate approval is not needed

War powers resolution

Checks U.S. Pres power to commit troops to armed conflict without consent of congress

Executive Office of the President

Groups of odors that work under the Pres to help manage the executive branch

President pardon

President forgiveness an act of mercy that forgives a criminal offense