Studied by 64 people
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
Note 
Flashcard (28)