AP Gov Chapter 4

Congress

pork barrel spending

benefits only a small group, making Congress’s method popular with its constituency, wasteful spending

Logrolling

the combination of several pork barrel spending bills so legislation has enough money to support its path

oversight

Congress must review, monitor, and supervise agencies, programs, and other branches by holding hearings, conducting investigations, and conducting audits (can withhold funds, impeach, or eliminate agencies if necessary)

Constituencies

bodies of voters in an area who elect a rep. or senator

Apportionment

Process of determining the # of reps for each state

redistricting

when states redraw the boundaries of electoral districts for the House (every 10 years)

Malapportionment

when pop. is distributed unevenly between districts

Gerrymandering

intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific group

Majority-minority districts

voters of minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within the electoral district. Ex. latinos make up 70% of a district

Shaw v. Reno

creation of majority-minority districts in NC violated the 14th amendment equal protection clause because the redistricting was done in a degree to clearly segregate black voters. Determined race can be a factor in redistricting, but it cannot be the sole factor

Incumbency

running for reelection when already in office

incumbency advantage

the advantage a candidate has when running for reelection. Ex. Name recognition, access to media, scare off, experienced staff, and access to PACs

Speaker of the House

Member of the majority party who holds the most power in the house. They are second in line if something were to happen to the president.

PACs

Give hard money directly to candidates and their campaigns

house majority leader

works with speaker to get bills passed and organize plans to advance their party’s goals

whip

collects information about how individual members are planning to vote supporting key votes and setting strategies for parties in congress

Minority leader

coordinates minority party activity and gives opposition to majority party using strategy.

Senate majority leader

most powerful position in senate. decides which bills the senate will debate and vote on

Committee chairs

from the majority party, set committee agendas, not based on seniority

Conference committees

temporary joint committee that resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill

Standing committees

permanent committees that work on topics like the budget, foreign affairs, and the armed services.

Congressional committees

The groups congress splits itself into to work on different topics

Joint committees

divisive topics needing bipartisan support such as taxes

Special committees

Unusual issue no one committee can address such as COVID or 9/11

discharge petition

a motion filed by a member of congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House for debate

Rules Committee

powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendment will be allowed on the floor.

Committee of the Whole

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the house chamber but is governed by different rules that make it easier and faster to debate a piece of legislation

Hold

a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill

Unanimous consent agreement

agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill to prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote

filibuster

a tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation

Cloture

a procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to a vote (60 votes needed)

veto

the power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress

Pocket Veto

During the time that Congress is not in session, the President has 10 days to pass a bill and if they fail to do so, it is automatically vetoed

Automatic approval

When Congress is in session, the President has 10 days to pass a bill, if they fail to do so, the bill is automatically passed

Entitlement program

a program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income

Mandatory spending

spending required by existing laws that are locked in the budget

discretionary spending

spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president

budget surplus

the amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than it spends

budget deficit

the annual shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spends

national debt

the total amount of money owed by the federal government (caused by continuous deficits).

delegate role

the idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to vote according to their constituents’ wishes

trustee role

members of congress should make decision based on their own knowledge and judgement

politico role

representation where members of congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions

bipartisanship

agreement between the parties to work together in congress to pass legislation

gridlock

a slowdown or halt in Congress’s ability to legislate and overcome divisions

divided government

control of the presidency and one or both chamber of Congress split between the two major parties

Lame duck period

period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives

Baker v. Carr

TN district lines hadn’t been redrawn in 50 years, but rural areas were being underrepresented. ruled the court had the power to review boundaries created by state legislatures and affirmed One person, One vote