AP Gov Chapter 4 Vocab

caucuses

groups of like minded people centered around a general concern

coalitions

working relationships

House of Representatives

one half of congress, 435 members, 2 year term, lower house

power of the purse

the power to tax or raise revenue and spend the revenues through the public law making process

Senate

one half of congress, 100 members, 6 year term, upper house

War Powers Act (1973)

requires the president to inform Congress within 48 hours of committing US forces to combat

cloture rule

enabled and required a 2/3 super majority to stop debate on a bill

Committee of the Whole

allows longer debate among fewer people and to allow members to vote as a group rather than an individual roll call

Conference Committees

created to iron out differences on the bills

deficit

the amount of money the federal government spends minus the amount of money it collects from taxes

discharge petitions

can bring a bill out of a reluctant committee with a simple majority to force it onto the house floor

discretionary spending

funding that congressional committees debate and decide how to divide up

filibuster

to block a nomination or to let time run out on a deadline for voting on a bill

germane

amendments directly related to the legislation under consideration

joint committees

committees that unite the members of the house and senate

logrolling

trading votes to gain support for a bill

mandatory spending

payments required by law, or mandated, for certain programs

omnibus bill

includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs

pork-barrel spending

funds earmarked for specific purposes in a legislators district

president of the senate

the VP of the US, votes in case of a tie

president pro tempore

the temporary president

rider

nongermane amendment, offer added to beneifit

Rules Committee

can dispose of a bill, discuss lines of debate, acts as a traffic cop on the house floor

Select Committee

formed for short lived purposes

Senate Majority Leader

most powerful member of the Senate, decides whether bills reach the floor

Speaker of the House

leader of the house majority party, recognize members for floor speeches, most powerful person in the house

sponsor

the member who introduces the bill and typically assumes authorship

unanimous consent

the approval of all senators

ways and means committee

a committee exclusive to the house that determines tax policy

whip

keeps a rough tally of votes among his or her party members

Baker v Carr (1962)

national courts can force states to redraw district laws to enforce the one person one vote principle

delegate model

the view that an elected representative should represent the opinions of his or her constituents

gerymandering

illogical district lines drawn to give the advantage to one party

gridlock

the "congestion" of opposing forces the presents ideas from moving forward

"lame duck" president

executive who has not won reelection or who is closing in on the end of the second term

one person one vote principle

individuals should have equal representation in voting

politico model

lawmakers consider a variety of factors and decide their action to vote for what makes the most sense

Shaw v Reno

case that ruled district lines cannot be draw for the purpose of aiding or hindering racial groups

swing district

a district where no single candidate or party has overwhelming support

trustee model

elected representatives are entrusted by voters with the responsibility of governing for all