Congressional Procedures and Legislative Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key terms related to congressional powers, legislative procedures, and voting methods.

immunity

legal protection

franking privilege

the right of congress people to send job-related mail without paying postage

lobbyist

representative of an interest group who contacts government officials to influence policy

draft

to write a rough version

casework

the work that a lawmaker does to help constituents solve a problem with a federal agency

pork-barrel project

government project grant that primarily benefits a congressperson's home district or statet primarily benefits a congress

joint resolution

a resolution that is passed by both houses of Congress

special-interest group

an organization of people with some common interest that tries to influence government decisions

submit

to offer a bill for consideration

rider

a completely unrelated amendment added to a bill in the Senate

filibuster

a tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking or using other procedures until the bill's sponsor withdraws it

cloture

a procedure used in the Senate to limit debate on a bill and end or prevent or a filibuster

voice vote

a voting method in which those in favor say "Aye" and those against say "No"

standing vote

in Congress, when members stand to be counted for a vote on a bill

roll-call vote

a voting method in the Senate in which members voice their votes in turn

pocket veto

President's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days