Unit 5 Outline - KEY - Moore

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing district lines, usually done by state legislatures.

Expressed powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution granted to Congress.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers, in the case of the U.S., the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Incumbency advantage

The benefits that current officeholders have over challengers during elections.

Franking privileges

The ability of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents for free.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Cloture vote

A procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring 60 votes to pass.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to create laws that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution, also known as the elastic clause.

Majority leader

The head of the majority party in a legislative body, responsible for scheduling and managing legislative business.

Committee System

The structure of committees in Congress that propose, draft, and oversee legislation.

Impeachment process

The formal process through which a sitting president or other federal officials can be charged with misconduct.

Oversight and investigation

Congress's power to monitor the actions of the executive branch and conduct investigations.

Log rolling

A practice in Congress where legislators agree to vote for each other's proposed legislation.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution for the election of the president and vice president.

Voter ID laws

Laws requiring individuals to present specific forms of identification at the polls.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates.

Incumbent

A current officeholder running for re-election.

Swing state

A state where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters.

Polling place

The location where voters go to cast their votes on Election Day.

Absentee ballot

A voting method that allows a person to mail or submit their vote remotely rather than attending a polling place in person.

Term Limits

There are no term limits for House or Senate members, allowing incumbents to run for re-election indefinitely.

Qualifications for office (House)

Minimum age of 25, must be a citizen for at least 7 years, and reside in the state they represent.

Qualifications for office (Senate)

Minimum age of 30, must be a citizen for at least 9 years, and reside in the state they represent.

Salary of Congress members

Members of Congress earn a salary of $174,000.

Purpose of committees

Committees in Congress are responsible for proposing and drafting legislation, as well as overseeing the executive branch.

Role of Majority Leader

The Majority Leader schedules legislative business, supports party members, and is a key strategist for the party.

Role of Speaker of the House

The Speaker presides over the House, manages its schedule, and is next in line for the presidency after the Vice President.

Power of Senate in treaties

Only the Senate has the power to ratify treaties.

Impeachment process steps

Step 1: House votes by majority to impeach; Step 2: Senate holds a trial and requires a 2/3 vote to remove.

Log-rolling practice

Legislators agree to support each other's bills for mutual benefit.

Types of Congressional committees

Standing, conference, select, and joint committees serve different legislative and oversight functions.

Responsibilities of the House of Representatives

The House is responsible for initiating revenue bills, impeaching federal officials, and representing the interests of constituents.

Responsibilities of the Senate

The Senate has the power to confirm presidential appointments, ratify treaties, and conduct impeachment trials.

Size of the House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is made up of 435 members.

Size of the Senate

The Senate is comprised of 100 members, with each state represented by two senators.

Term length for House members

Members of the House serve two-year terms.

Term length for Senators

Senators serve six-year terms, with staggered elections.

Leadership in the House

The House is led by the Speaker, who controls legislative agenda and maintains order.

Leadership in the Senate

The Senate majority leader leads the Senate, schedules debates, and manages party strategy.

Quorum for the House

A quorum in the House is 218 members present to conduct official business.

Quorum for the Senate

A quorum in the Senate is 51 members present to conduct official business.

Responsibilities of the House of Representatives

The House initiates revenue bills, impeaches federal officials, and represents constituents.

Responsibilities of the Senate

The Senate confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, and conducts impeachment trials.

Leadership in the House

Led by the Speaker, who manages the legislative agenda and ensures order.

Leadership in the Senate

The Senate majority leader schedules debates and manages party strategy.

Size of the House of Representatives

The House consists of 435 members.

Size of the Senate

The Senate is made up of 100 members, with two from each state.

Term length for House members

House members serve two-year terms.

Term length for Senators

Senators serve six-year terms with staggered elections.

Quorum for the House

A quorum in the House requires 218 members present.

Quorum for the Senate

A quorum in the Senate requires 51 members present.

Constituent

A resident of a congressional district who is represented by an elected official.

Political polarization

The increasing ideological distance and dislike between political parties.

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to discuss policies, select candidates, or set party strategies.

Pork barrel spending

Government spending for localized projects secured solely to bring money to a representative's district.

Veto

The constitutional right of the president to reject a decision or proposal made by Congress.

Override

The process by which Congress can overturn a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both houses.

Majority rule

A fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory that requires majority's desire to be respected.

Minority leader

The head of the minority party in a legislative body, responsible for mobilizing opposition to the majority party.

Agenda setting

The process by which the media or political leaders determine which issues are prioritized in public policy.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between two major political parties, typically to pass legislation.

Constituent services

Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents in addressing concerns and issues.

Legislative process

The procedure through which proposed laws are considered and enacted by Congress.

Seniority system

A system that gives the most important posts in Congress to the members who have served the longest.

Committees of the Whole

A committee that includes all members of the House, allowing it to conduct business in a more informal way.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House that determines the rules for debate and amendment of bills.

Whip

A party member who helps coordinate party strategy and mobilize votes

Political spectrum

A system for classifying different political positions or ideologies.

Grassroots movement

A political movement driven by the community and ordinary citizens, not professional politicians.

Super PAC

A type of political committee that can raise and spend unlimited funds to advocate for or against candidates.

Campaign finance

The money used by candidates to fund their election campaigns, regulated by law.

Primary election

An election held to determine a party's nominee for the general election.

Civic engagement

Participation in the political process through activities such as voting, volunteering, or activism.

Ballot initiative

A process that allows citizens to propose legislation and submit it for a vote by the electorate.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Midterm elections

Elections that occur halfway through a president's term, often affecting control of Congress.

Swing voter

A voter who does not have a consistent voting pattern and can be persuaded to vote for either major party.

Political socialization

The process by which individuals learn and develop their political beliefs and values.

Interest group

An organization of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence public policy.

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials, typically legislators or members of regulatory agencies.

Grassroots lobbying

A method of lobbying that seeks to influence public policy by mobilizing the general public.

Incumbent advantage

The inherent benefits that current officeholders have during elections, such as name recognition and access to campaign finance.

Redistricting process

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries typically every ten years after the census.

Nonpartisan

Not supporting or controlled by any political party, often referring to organizations that aim to remain neutral.

Civic responsibility

The duties and responsibilities of citizens to engage in their community and government.

Third party

Any political party that