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Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
Constituency
the residents in the area from which an official is elected
Congressional committee
a group of members from either the House of Representatives or the Senate that focuses on specific areas of policy, legislation, or oversight.
Standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Select committee
Groups of appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration
Conference committee
Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate
Speaker of the house
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives
Committee chairperson
Leader of committee
Filibuster
A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate
Cloture
A Senate procedure through which a supermajority of 60 senators can vote to limit the amount of time spent debating a bill and cut off a filibuster.
Quorum
number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
Hold
a political tactic meant to slow down the legislative process in the Senate.
Unanimous consent
Complete agreement
Rules committee
Responsible for scheduling and managing the flow of legislation on the floor to make the process more efficient and manageable. It can also make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass depending on the rules they create.
Committee of the Whole
A committee of the House on which all representatives serve in order to consider the details of a proposal.
Discharge petition
A petition signed by members of the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.
Discretionary spending
Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process
mandatory spending
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.
Entitlements
Government-sponsored programs providing required benefits to those meeting eligibility requirements.
Medicare
A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older
Medicaid
A health care payment program sponsored by federal & state governments
Budget deficit
a financial situation that occurs when a government spends more than it takes in.
Pork barrel legislation
The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative's district in order to please constituents and boost the representative's chances of winning reelection.
Earmarks
Federal funds appropriated by Congress for use on local projects
Riders
And additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by the legislature, having little connectivity with the subject of the matter of the bill.
Logrolling
An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills
Franking privilege
Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
divided government
When one party controls one or more houses in the legislative branch while the other party controls the executive branch.
Gridlock
When the government is unable to reach compromises or make policy decisions.
Gerrymandering
The act of changing the boundaries of an electoral district to favor one party over another.
Reapportionment
the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census
Redistricting
The process of adjusting electoral districts in the United States.
Lame Duck
An elected official who continues to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of their successor.
Trustee Role
A member of Congress who takes into account the views of their constituents and use their own judgment to decide how to vote.
Delegate Role
A member of Congress who always follows their constituents' voting preferences.
partisan role
devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause
Politico Role
Legislators follow their own judgment until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, then they follow the wills of their constituents
Veto
Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
Pocket veto
president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days
Commander in Chief
term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces
executive agreement
an agreement between the president and the leader of another country
executive order
A rule issued by the president that has the force of law
executive privilege
the power that allows a president to refuse to release information to Congress or a court
signing statements
A released letter explaining how the president's administration plans to interpret the law
advice and consent power
The power of the Senate to consult and approve the presidents treaties and appointments.
State of the Union Address
The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.
Bully Pulpit
a platform used to publicize and seek support for important issues
precedent
(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
federal bureaucracy
the collective agencies and employees of the executive branch
Iron Triangles
Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that form mutually-beneficial relationships
Issue networks
A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.
Patronage
the power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges.
Spoils System
A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.
civil service system
practice of government employment based on competitive examinations and merit
merit system
a system of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability, rather than party loyalty
rule making
the administrative process that results in the issuance of regulations by government agencies
red tape
complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done
Congressional Oversight
Congress can review and supervise federal agencies by holding committee hearings and hearing testimony from members of those executive agencies.
committee hearings
sessions where a committee listens to the testimonies of people who are interested in the bill
Power of the Purse
when Congress uses its power over the budget to oversee federal agencies and their policy implementation
Baker v. Carr
Establishing both the "one-person, one-vote" principle - that districts should be proportionately represented - and that the Court had jurisdiction to review state redistricting issues.
Shaw v. Reno
Established that although legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it cannot exceed what is reasonably necessary to avoid racial imbalances.
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
established the principle of judicial review, giving the Supreme Court the power to strike down acts of the legislative or executive branch that violate the Constitution.
Appropriation
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency
Bureaucracy
An organization with a hierarchical structure and specific responsibilities intended to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
Bureaucratic Discretion
Bureaucrats' use of their own judgment in interpreting and carrying out the laws of Congress
Casework
Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get
Closed rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor
Impeachment
The process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing
Line item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package
Mark up
The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation
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