Unit 2: The Branches of the Federal Government

Pork Barrel Spending

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

Oversight

The effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies

Constituency

The people and interests that an elected official represents

Apportionment

Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Majority-Minority Districts

The process by which a majority of the population is from the minority.

Malapportionment

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population

Incumbency

Being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

Incumbency Advantage

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election

Speaker of the House

The leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

House Majority Leader

The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives

Whip

A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

Minority Leader

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.

Committee Chair

Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda

Discharge Petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

House Rules Committee

An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

Committee of the Whole

A committee that consists of an entire legislative body; used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Entitlement Program

A program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Budget Surplus

An excess of tax revenue over government spending

Budget Deficit

A shortfall of tax revenue from government spending

National Debt

The sum of government deficits over time.

Delegate Role

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes

Trustee Role

The idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Politico Role

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions

Bipartisanship

Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation

Gridlock

The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

Divided Government

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Lame Duck Period

The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president serves