Unit 2: Part 1- Congress Vocab

Enumerated powers

Written in the constitution that specifically grant Congress certain authorities, such as the power to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

Implied powers

Not specifically written in the Constitution but are inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Necessary and proper clause

Gives Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers, but Supreme Court interpretations can influence the extent of these powers.

Checks and balances

allow legal actions to be taken against public officials deemed to have abused their power

Bicameralism

two-house legislature

Speaker of the House

elected by a majority of House members and presides over the legislative work in the House

President of the Senate

the Vice President of the United States, who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate. This role includes overseeing Senate sessions, facilitating discussions, and casting tie-breaking votes when necessary. The position is crucial in maintaining order and ensuring that legislative procedures are followed during debates and votes.

Senate Majority Leader

Filibuster

a tactic to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill

Cloture

a procedure to end a debate

Holds

a filing by a Senator to prevent a bill from getting to the floor for a vote

Discretionary rule making

Redistricting

redrawing of congressional districts by state legislatures based on congressional reapportionment

Baker v. Carr (1962)

This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.

Rules Committee

establishes rules for debate on a bill in the House

Committee of the Whole

a committee formed in the House to expedite debate on bills

Discharge petitions

a filing by a House member to have a bill brough to the floor for debate, but rarely done

Discretionary spending

approved on an annual basis for defense spending, education, and infrastructure; as entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease unless tax revenues increase, or the budget deficit increases.

Mandatory spending

required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Pork barrel legislation

funding for a local project in a larger appropriation bill

Logrolling

(combining several pieces of legislation into one bill to secure enough votes for passage) subject to clarification

Congressional oversight

Congressional authority to ensure legislation is implemented as intended, including i. review, monitoring, and supervision of bureaucratic agencies ii. Investigation and committee hearings of bureaucratic activity iii. Power of the purse ; serves as a check of executive authorization

Entitlement

Partisanship

Gridlock

a situation in which no congressional action on legislation can be taken due to a lack of consensus

Gerrymandering

redrawing of congressional districts with the intent to create undue advantage for a political party

Divided government

Trustee (as related to constituent accountability in each chamber)

Delegate (as related to constituent accountability in each chamber)