Congress Objectives

Senators

________ must be at least 30 years old when seated and citizens of the U.S. for 9 years.

pocket veto

If the President does not approve the bill within 10 days, this is called a(n) ________.

proportional representation

parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them

primary election

election through which voters select their partys nominee for office

general election

election of candidates for office, as opposed to a primary election

bicameral legislature

a lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts

pork barrel spending

the allocation of federal funds to local projects or interest groups, at the congresspersons discretion

filibusters

when an opponent of a bill takes the floor in a debate and talks indefinitely in order to delay or prevent a vote

logrolling effect

exchange of favors between Congress members

constituents

voting member of a community or organization having the power to appoint or elect

trustee representation

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

Delegate representation

elected representatives are delegated the responsibility to act in the interests of the people who elected them

Partisan representation

representatives are elected as a member of a party and have a responsibility to make decisions in line with their partys policies

majority leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or the Senate

minority leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or the Senate

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of his party in the House

President Pro Tempore

Presiding Officer of the Senate when the Vice President is absent chosen by the

Standing Committees

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area

Select Committees

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose

Joint Committees

Committees on which both senators and representatives serve

Conference Committees

Joint committees appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill