Key Legislative Terms

Flashcards containing key vocabulary terms related to legislative processes and functions.

Bill

A statute or proposed law before it becomes official.

Conference Committee

A joint committee that is appointed to hold a conference for creating a compromise version of a bill.

Constituents

Members having the power to elect or appoint within an organization or community.

Entitlement

A government program that guarantees and provides benefits to a particular group.

Filibuster

An obstructive tactic to delay or prevent a piece of legislation from passing; employed by an individual Senator or group of Senators who oppose a bill.

Gerrymander

The process of manipulating a geographic area into voting districts to give unfair advantage to one party in elections.

Impeachment

To charge (a public official) with improper conduct in office, criminal or civil.

Impoundment

The decision not to spend money appropriated by Congress rather than spend as prescribed.

Incumbent

A person who currently holds an official position or political office.

Lobbying

The act of influencing the thinking of government officials for or against a specific cause.

Majority Leader

The leader who represents the majority political party in a legislature.

Reapportionment

The process of dividing the number of state representatives and senators based on population to ensure districts of equal size.

Select Committee

A temporary congressional committee appointed to deal with a special purpose or issue.

Standing Committees

A permanent committee in the house or senate with jurisdiction over legislation in a particular area.

Tax

A monetary charge or other levy imposed upon a taxpayer by the state.