Milboer Congress Vocab

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives chosen by the majority party who presides over the House, assigns bills to committees, and controls much of the legislative agenda.

Pork barrel spending

Government spending on local projects meant to benefit a specific district or state, often used by members of Congress to gain political support.

Cloture rule

A Senate procedure allowing 60 senators to vote to end debate on a bill and stop a filibuster so a vote can occur.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate and can cast a tie-breaking vote.

Discretionary spending

Government spending that must be approved by Congress each year through appropriations bills.

Discharge petition

A House procedure allowing 218 members to force a bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for a vote.

Trustee model

A theory of representation where legislators use their own judgment and expertise to make decisions they believe are best for their constituents.

Conference committees

Temporary committees made up of members from both the House and Senate that reconcile differences between two versions of a bill.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic in which senators extend debate to delay or prevent a vote on legislation.

Politico model

A representation model where legislators sometimes act as delegates and sometimes as trustees depending on the issue.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress, mainly found in Article I Section 8.

Whip

A party leader responsible for counting votes, persuading members to support party positions, and maintaining party discipline.

Mandatory spending

Government spending required by existing laws, such as Social Security and Medicare, that does not require annual approval by Congress.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A Supreme Court case that ruled racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional if race is the main factor used to draw district lines without sufficient justification.

Standing committees

Permanent congressional committees that specialize in certain policy areas and review most legislation.

Ways and Means Committee

A powerful House committee responsible for taxation, revenue, and many government spending programs.

Joint committees

Committees made up of members from both the House and Senate that usually conduct studies or investigations.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population changes after the census.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A Supreme Court case that ruled federal courts can hear cases about legislative redistricting under the Equal Protection Clause.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries within a state, usually after reapportionment.

House Judiciary Committee

A House committee that handles constitutional issues, federal courts, civil liberties, and impeachment proceedings.

Senate majority leader

The main leader of the majority party in the Senate who controls the legislative agenda and schedules debate and votes.

Delegate model

A theory of representation where legislators vote based on the preferences of their constituents.

Congressional oversight

Congress’s power to monitor, review, and supervise the actions of the executive branch and federal agencies.

Earmark

A provision in a spending bill that directs funds to a specific project or location, often in a legislator’s district.

Caucuses

Groups of members of Congress who share similar interests or policy goals and work together to influence legislation.

Logrolling

A practice where legislators trade support for each other’s bills or projects.

President pro tempore

A senior member of the majority party in the Senate who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

Select committees

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose, investigation, or issue and usually dissolved after completing their work.