Legislative Branch Vocab

advice and consent

Flashcard: "Advice and Consent" refers to the Senate's power to approve or reject treaties and presidential appointments, such as federal judges and cabinet members.

apportionment

Apportionment is the process of dividing seats in a legislative body among different groups based on population or other criteria to ensure fair representation.

bicameral legislature

Bicameral legislature: A legislative body divided into two separate chambers or houses, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States Congress.

bipartisanship

Cooperation and collaboration between two major political parties (that typically oppose each other), typically to find common ground and reach agreements on legislative issues.

budget deficit

Budget deficit occurs when a government spends more money than it receives in revenue during a specific period, leading to an overall negative balance. (expenditures - income)

budget surplus

Budget surplus occurs when a government's income exceeds its expenditures in a given period. It indicates financial stability and may lead to debt reduction or increased spending.

closed rule

Closed rule is a legislative rule limiting debate and amendments on a bill. It restricts changes and allows only yes or no votes.

cloture rule

Procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring a 3/5 majority vote to limit debate and proceed to a vote on a bill.

committee chair

Member of Congress responsible for running a committee

committee of the whole

Parliamentary procedure where the entire assembly becomes a committee to facilitate debate and amendment of proposed legislation.

concurrent resolution

Proposal requiring signing from both House (H & S), but does not have force of law and does not require president signature

conference committee

Special committee that resolves conflicts between House and Senate

congressional budget office

Independent agency providing nonpartisan analysis for US Congress on economic and budgetary matters.

congressional oversight

Monitoring and supervision of the executive branch by Congress to ensure laws are being faithfully executed.

congressional research service

Providing policy and legal analysis to assist lawmakers in their legislative duties

constituency

Constituency refers to a group of individuals that a representative in government serves or a geographical area they represent.

deficit

The result when the government in one year spends more money than it takes from taxes

delegate role

Assigning tasks or responsibilities to others while maintaining accountability for the outcome.

discharge petition

Motion that allows members of a legislative body to force a bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for consideration and a vote

discretionary spending

Non-essential expenses that can be adjusted or eliminated based on financial circumstances or priorities. Government spending implemented through appropriation bills.

divided government

Political situation where different parties control the executive and legislative branches, leading to potential gridlock and compromise.

division vote (standing vote)

A method of voting where members stand to be counted, often used when a voice vote is unclear or challenged.

double-tracking

When a disputed bill is temporarily shelved so that Senate can go on with other business.

earmark

Directs approved funds to be spent on specific projects, or that directs specific exemptions from taxes or mandated fees.

baker v. carr (1962)

U.S. Supreme Court case that held that federal courts could hear cases alleging that a state's drawing of electoral boundaries, i.e. redistricting, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

entitlement program

Government program that provides benefits to individuals who meet specific criteria, such as Social Security or Medicare.

enumerated powers

Specific powers granted to the U.S. Congress by the Constitution, listed in Article I, Section 8, including the power to coin money and declare war.

expressed powers

Specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution. They are also known as enumerated powers.

filibuster

A delaying tactic used in parliament to obstruct or block a proposed legislation by extending debate, often through lengthy speeches.

franking privilege

Allows elected officials to send mail without postage costs. It is a benefit that helps them communicate with constituents at no personal expense.

government accountability office

Independent agency that provides auditing, evaluation, and investigative services for the U.S. Congress to ensure transparency and accountability in government operations.

germane

Directly relevant to the bill

gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. It can lead to unfair representation and influence election outcomes.

gridlock

When government is unable to pass laws/bills as a result of rival parties in control.

hold

An informal practice by which a senator informs Senate leadership that he or she does not wish a particular measure or nomination to reach the floor for consideration.

house judiciary committee

A congressional committee responsible for overseeing the administration of justice within the federal courts, administrative agencies, and law enforcement agencies.

impeach

To charge a public official with misconduct in office. This process is typically initiated by a legislative body and can lead to the official's removal from office.

implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution but are considered necessary to carry out the functions of government.

incumbency

The holding of an office or the period during which someone holds an office. It refers to the current officeholder seeking re-election.

incumbency advantage

The benefit enjoyed by current officeholders, such as name recognition, fundraising ability, and access to resources, giving them an edge in elections.

joint committee

A committee composed of members from both chambers (H & S) of a legislative body to address specific issues or coordinate legislative actions.

lame duck period

Refers to the time between an election and the inauguration of a new official, where the outgoing official remains in power but has limited influence.

logrolling

Process by which politicians trade support for one issue or piece of legislation in exchange for another politician's support, especially by means of legislative votes

majority leader

The head of the majority party in a legislative body. They manage the party's legislative program and strategy, influencing the agenda and guiding fellow party members.

majority-minority districts

Electoral districts where the majority of the population belongs to a minority group, often created to enhance their representation.

malapportionment

Malapportionment is the uneven distribution of population among electoral districts, leading to unfair representation in a legislative body.

mandatory spending

Government expenditure on programs that are required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare, and cannot be easily adjusted.

marginal seat/marginal district

A political constituency where the winning candidate's majority is small, making it susceptible to changing hands in the next election. (When winner gets less than 55% of votes)

mark-up session

When a legislative committee or subcommittee meets to debate, amend or rewrite a bill.

minority leader

The head of the minority party in a legislative body, responsible for leading their party's initiatives, strategies, and communication while representing the minority's interests.

multiple referral

A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees.

national debt

The total amount of money that a government has borrowed and not yet repaid. It represents the accumulated deficits over time.

OMB

Agency that assists the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and evaluating agency performance.

omnibus spending bill

Legislation combining multiple appropriations measures into a single bill to fund various government agencies and programs for the fiscal year.

open rule

Permit the offering of any amendment that otherwise complies with House rules, and allows debate under the 5-minute rule.

oversight

Legislators determine whether current laws and appropriations are achieving intended results.

party polzarization

Refers to the growing ideological divide between political parties, leading to increased partisanship and decreased cooperation in governance.

PAC

Organization that raises money to influence elections or legislation, supporting candidates who align with their interests.

politico role

Legislator's role in representing and advancing the interests of their political party, often involving party loyalty and advocacy.

pork-barrel legislation

Policies designed to benefit specific constituents or lawmakers' districts, often seen as wasteful or unnecessary spending.

president of the senate

Role held by the Vice President of the United States, who presides over the Senate, maintaining order and recognizing speakers.

president pro tempore

A senator chosen to preside over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President; third in line for presidential succession.

quorum

The minimum number of members required to be present at a meeting to make the proceedings valid.

quorum call

Procedure used in legislative bodies to ensure that a minimum number of members required to conduct business is present.

reapportionment

Process of redistributing representation in a legislative body based on population changes observed in a census.

redistricting

Redrawing electoral boundaries to ensure equal representation based on population changes. It can be politically contentious.

restrictive rule

A type of House rule that limits amendments during the debate on a bill. It restricts the scope of amendments that can be proposed and debated, often expediting the legislative process.

rider

A nongermane amendment to a bill or an amendment to an appropriation bill that changes the permanent law governing a program funded by the bill.

roll-call vote

A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering "yea" or "nay" to their names.

rules committee

A group responsible for creating and enforcing regulations governing a specific activity or organization, ensuring fair play and consistency.

safe seat/safe district

An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other, so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.

select committee

A small group of members from a larger organization or legislative body chosen to investigate or address specific issues or topics. Short term.

sequential referral

Congressional process by which a Speaker may send a bill to a second committee after the first has finished acting.

seventeenth amendment

Allows for the direct election of U.S. Senators by the public, shifting power from state legislatures.

simple resolution

Covers matters affecting only one house of Congress and is passed by that house alone.

sophomore surge

An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection.

speaker of the house

The presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by members of the House. Responsible for leading debates, maintaining order, and representing the House to the public.

sponsor

Person who introduces the bill to the floor for debate and voting.

standing committees

Permanent bodies in Congress that focus on specific areas, such as finance or foreign affairs, to review bills and conduct investigations.

swing districts

Electoral districts where the vote is close between political parties, making them unpredictable and competitive in elections.

trustee role

“You voted for me you should trust me.”

unanimous consent agreement

An agreement on the rules of debate for proposed legislation in the Senate that is approved by all the members.

unified government

One party controls both the executive and legislative branches of government at the same time.

veto

The constitutional right of a president or governor to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislature, preventing it from becoming law.

voice vote

A method of voting in which members call out their vote preferences orally, usually by saying "yea" or "nay", rather than using a formal ballot.

war powers act

Requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and limits the time troops can be engaged without congressional approval.

ways and means committee

Congressional committee responsible for proposing tax legislation and overseeing revenue-raising measures to fund government programs.

whip

They work to ensure that their fellow political party legislators attend voting sessions and vote according to their party's official policy. (Party enforcers)

shaw v. reno

Legal case in 1993

U.S. Supreme Court ruled on redistricting

Established "racial gerrymandering"

Decision influenced voting rights and redistricting laws