Unit 2

advice and consent

Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Bicameral

Two house legislature

Caucuses

A closed meeting of a political or legislative group to choose candidates for office or to decide issues of policy

coalitions

Individuals and/or groups that have common interests and perspectives

enumerated powers

The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.

implied powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money

Senate

A council of representatives. 2 from each state

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)

War Powers Act

Act that grants emergency executive powers to president to run war effort

discretionary spending

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

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.

germane amendments

Amendments that are strictly relevant to the bill on focus

Logrolling

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

mandatory spending

Required govt spending by permanent laws

Omnibus Bill

One very large bill that encompasses many separate bills.

pork barrel spending

legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Rules Committee (House)

a legislative committee responsible for expediting the passage of bills.

Senate Majority Leader

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

Speaker of the House

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

whip

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

Baker v. Carr (1962)

"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to be as near equal as possible in population; Warren Court's judicial activism.

Delegate Model

The view that an elected represent should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.

Gerrymandering

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

Gridlock

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

Politico Model

Members of Congress act as delegates or trustees depending on the issue

racial gerrymandering

The drawing of election districts so as to ensure that members of a certain race are a minority in the district

Shaw v. Reno

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

trustee model

a model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions