AP GOV Legislative Vocab

• Advice and Consent

• A power of the U.S. Senate to approve or reject treaties made by the President and appointments of executive officers, federal judges, and ambassadors.

• Apportionment

• The process of distributing legislative seats among the states based on population. This ensures that representation in the House of Representatives reflects changes in population.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of one person, one vote, and addressed the issue of redistricting in state legislatures.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative system consisting of two chambers or houses, typically a Senate and a House of Representatives, to balance representation.

Budget Deficit/Surplus

A situation where government expenditures exceed revenues, leading to a deficit, or when revenues exceed expenditures, resulting in a surplus.

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to coordinate and decide on policy or select candidates.

Cloture Rule

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority vote to limit debate on a bill and bring it to a vote.

Committee Chair

The leader of a committee in Congress responsible for overseeing its functions, managing meetings, and guiding the legislative process.

Concurrent Resolution

A legislative measure adopted by both chambers of Congress that does not require the President's approval and is primarily used to make or amend rules that govern both houses.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences in similar bills passed by both houses of Congress before final approval.

Congressional Oversight

The power of Congress to review, monitor, and supervise federal agencies, programs, and policy implementation, ensuring accountability and compliance with legislative intent.

Delegate Role

The delegate role refers to a perspective in which legislators see themselves as representatives of their constituents, prioritizing their voters' wishes when making decisions and casting votes.

Discharge Petition

A means by which members of the House can force a bill out of committee for a vote, requiring a majority of signatures.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending implemented at the discretion of the agency, not mandated by existing laws. This type of spending is typically subject to annual appropriations by Congress.

Divided Government

A situation in which one political party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Earmark

A provision in legislation that allocates funding for specific projects or programs, often benefiting a particular district or group.

Entitlement Program

A government program that provides guaranteed benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Enumerated Powers

The powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution, including the authority to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

Expressed Powers

The powers specifically stated in the Constitution that give Congress authority to take certain actions. These powers include, but are not limited to, the ability to levy taxes and regulate interstate commerce.

Filibuster

A procedural tactic in the Senate to delay or block a vote on legislation by extending debate or offering lengthy speeches.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail to constituents without having to pay postage, enabling them to communicate with voters effectively.

Germane

Referring to relevance or appropriateness, especially in the context of amendments or debates that must relate directly to the subject matter being discussed.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage over others, often manipulating district lines to consolidate voters.

Gridlock

A situation in which there is difficulty passing laws due to close divisions between parties, leading to a stalemate in the legislative process.

Hold

A procedural tactic in the Senate where a senator can delay or block a vote on a bill by requesting more information or debate.

House Judiciary Committee

A permanent committee in the House of Representatives that oversees the administration of justice and considers legislation pertaining to the federal judiciary, civil rights, and criminal justice issues.

Impeach

To formally charge a government official with misconduct, leading to a trial and possible removal from office.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to implement the powers that are explicitly listed.

Incumbency

The holding of an office or position, especially in politics, allowing the current officeholder to gain advantages in elections due to their established presence and experience.

Joint Committee

A committee made up of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, typically formed to address specific issues or legislation.

Lame Duck Period

The time between the election of a successor and the end of the current officeholder’s term, during which the current officeholder has diminished power and influence.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors or support between legislators, typically involving mutual votes on each other's proposed legislation.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and leading party strategy.

majority-Minority Districts

Electoral districts designed to ensure that a majority of the population belongs to a specific minority group, enhancing their representation in legislative bodies.

Malapportionment

The unequal distribution of voters among electoral districts, resulting in some districts having significantly more or fewer voters than others, which can distort representation.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law for specific programs, such as Social Security and Medicare, that must be funded regardless of budget constraints.

Marginal Seat/Marginal District

A legislative seat or district in which the outcome of an election is uncertain, often won by a small margin. These seats are crucial for party control in legislative bodies.

Mark-up Session

A meeting in which congressional committees or subcommittees debate, amend, and review proposed legislation before it is presented to the full chamber.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in a legislative body, responsible for coordinating party strategy and representing minority interests.

Multiple Referral

The practice in Congress is where a bill is sent to multiple committees for review and consideration, allowing for more thorough examination and debate before reaching the floor for a vote.

National Debt

The total amount of money that a country's government owes to creditors, resulting from years of budget deficits, where the government's expenditures exceed its revenues.

Omnibus Spending Bill

A comprehensive funding legislation that packages together multiple appropriations bills into one single bill for passage.

Open vs. Closed Rule

Refers to the procedures governing floor debate on a bill in the House of Representatives, with an open rule allowing amendments and a closed rule restricting them.

Oversight

The review and supervision by Congress over federal agencies, programs, and policy implementation to ensure compliance with laws and effectiveness.

Party Polarization

The growing ideological distance between political parties, resulting in increased partisanship and decreased bipartisanship in legislative processes.

Politico Role

A model of representation in which elected officials act as delegates or trustees, balancing constituents' interests and their own judgment when making decisions.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who presides over Senate sessions and casts tie-breaking votes.

President Pro Tempore

An honorary title for the longest-serving senator of the majority party, responsible for presiding over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to be present for the Senate or House to conduct its business.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on changes in population, typically following the decennial census.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing district boundaries for congressional and state legislative seats, typically following reapportionment.

Rider

An amendment added to a bill that may not be related to the bill's main topic, often used to pass controversial measures.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives responsible for determining the rules under which bills are debated and voted on, including setting time limits and amendments.

Safe Seat/Safe District

A legislative district that is highly likely to be won by a particular political party, making it safe for incumbents.

Select Committee

A temporary committee formed to focus on a specific issue or investigation, typically disbanded after its purpose is fulfilled.

Sequential Referral

A procedural tactic in Congress allowing a bill to be sent to multiple committees in a specific order for consideration, ensuring that each committee's input is received.

17th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, shifting the election process from state legislatures to the electorate.

Shaw v. Reno

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1993 that addressed racial gerrymandering. The Court ruled that redistricting plans that segregate voters based on race violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Simple Resolution

A legislative measure passed by either the House or Senate that addresses procedural matters or expressions of opinion and does not require the approval of the other chamber or the president.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for leading debates, managing legislative business, and serving as a key representative of the majority party.

Sponsor

A member of Congress who introduces a bill or resolution and advocates for its passage.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress that review and make recommendations on proposed legislation.

Swing Districts

Electoral districts where both major political parties have similar levels of support, making them competitive and crucial during elections.

Trustee Role

A role in which lawmakers make decisions based on their own judgment and conscience rather than reflecting the views of their constituents.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate to expedite proceedings, allowing for certain actions without objection from any senator.

Unified Government

A situation in which the same political party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress, enabling more cohesive policy-making.

Ways and Means Committee

The House committee responsible for taxation and revenue generation, overseeing tax-related legislation and policies.

Whip

A party official in Congress who assists party leaders in managing party discipline and ensuring member attendance for votes.