Legislative Branch Vocab Unit 2

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Apportionment

The distribution of House seats among states based on population.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case that established "one person, one vote" and allowed courts to review redistricting.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bipartisanship

When members of both parties work together to pass legislation.

Budget deficit

When government spending exceeds revenue in a fiscal year.

Budget surplus

When government revenue exceeds spending in a fiscal year.

Caucus (Congressional)

A group of Congress members who meet to pursue common legislative goals.

Closed rule

A House rule that limits or prohibits amendments to a bill during debate.

Cloture rule

A Senate motion to end debate on a bill; requires 60 votes to stop a filibuster.

Committee chair

The leader of a congressional committee who controls its agenda.

Committee of the Whole

All House members acting as one committee to expedite debate and voting.

Concurrent resolution

A measure passed by both chambers that doesn't have the force of law.

Conference committee

A temporary joint committee created to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congressional Budget Office

Provides Congress with nonpartisan economic and budgetary analysis.

Congressional oversight

Congress's monitoring of executive agencies and enforcement of laws.

Congressional Research Service

Provides research and information to members of Congress.

Constituency

The group of voters or residents an elected official represents.

Deficit

The amount by which government spending exceeds revenue in a given year.

Delegate role

When legislators vote based on their constituents' preferences.

Discharge petition

A motion to force a bill out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.

Discretionary spending

Federal spending that Congress can change each year through appropriations.

Divided Government

When different political parties control the presidency and Congress.

Division vote (standing vote)

A vote where members stand to be counted rather than using electronic or roll-call methods.

Double-tracking

A Senate procedure allowing other business to continue during a filibuster.

Earmark

Funds directed to specific projects, often benefiting a legislator's district.

Entitlement program

Government programs providing benefits to eligible individuals (e.g., Social Security).

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Expressed powers

Powers clearly listed in the Constitution; same as enumerated powers.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic for delaying or blocking legislation by extending debate.

Franking Privilege

The right of Congress members to send mail to constituents for free.

Government Accountability Office

A congressional agency that audits and evaluates government programs and spending.

Germane

Relevant or related to the topic of a bill under consideration.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party or group.

Gridlock

When government is unable to act effectively due to political divisions.

Hold

A Senate practice where a member delays action on a bill or nomination.

House Judiciary Committee

Handles matters related to the federal judiciary, including impeachment.

Impeach

To charge a government official with misconduct while in office.

Implied powers

Powers not stated directly but derived from the "necessary and proper" clause.

Incumbency

The status of already holding an elected office.

Incumbency advantage

The electoral edge gained by current officeholders due to name recognition and resources.

Joint committee

A committee with members from both the House and Senate for special issues.

Lame duck period

Time between an election and a new official's term when outgoing officials have less influence.

Logrolling

When legislators trade votes to support each other's bills.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in a chamber who sets the legislative agenda.

Majority-minority districts

Districts where a racial or ethnic minority makes up the majority of voters.

Malapportionment

Unequal representation due to poorly divided congressional districts.

Mandatory spending

Spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Marginal seat / Marginal district

A competitive district where elections are often close.

Mark-Up Session

When committees review, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in a chamber.

Multiple referral

When a bill is sent to more than one committee for consideration.

National debt

The total amount owed by the federal government from accumulated deficits.

OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

Advises the president and prepares the federal budget.

Omnibus spending bill

A large bill that combines several smaller spending measures into one.

Open Rule

A rule allowing amendments to be added to a bill during floor debate.

Oversight

Congress's authority to monitor and investigate the executive branch.

Party Polarization

The growing ideological gap between Democrats and Republicans.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and donates money to influence elections.

Politico role

A mix of trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue.

Pork-barrel legislation

Funding for local projects aimed at pleasing voters and securing re-election.

President of the Senate

The Vice President, who presides over Senate sessions.

President pro tempore

Senator who presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence.

Quorum

The minimum number of members needed to conduct official business.

Quorum call

A check to ensure enough members are present for business to proceed.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats among states after each census.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries within states.

Restrictive rule

A House rule allowing only certain amendments to a bill.

Rider

An additional, often unrelated, provision added to a bill.

Roll-call vote

A vote in which each member's name and vote are recorded.

Rules Committee

The powerful House committee that determines debate and amendment rules for bills.

Safe seat / Safe district

A district where one party consistently wins by a large margin.

Select committee

A temporary committee created for a specific purpose or investigation.

Sequential referral

When a bill is referred to committees one after another in sequence.

Seventeenth Amendment

Established direct election of U.S. Senators by voters.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering violates equal protection.

Simple resolution

A resolution passed by one chamber; does not have the force of law.

Sophomore surge

An increase in votes a candidate receives when running for re-election for the first time.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and most powerful leader in the House of Representatives.

Sponsor

A member of Congress who introduces a bill.

Standing committees

Permanent committees that handle specific policy areas.

Swing districts

Competitive districts that could be won by either major party.

Trustee role

When legislators vote based on their own judgment and conscience.

Unanimous consent agreement

A Senate agreement setting terms for debate that all members approve.

Unified Government

When one party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Voice vote

A quick method of voting where members call out "aye" or "no."

War Powers Act (1973)

Limits the president's power to deploy troops without congressional approval.

Ways and Means Committee

House committee that handles taxation and revenue-related bills.

Whip

Party leader who helps count votes and maintain party discipline.