The Legislative Branch Study Guide

constituents

a citizen or voter who is represented by a particular elected official, such as a legislator or member of Congress

committee

A group of legislators assigned to review specific matters

standing committee

permanent committee with specific responsibilities and jurisdictions defined by the chamber's rules

select committee

a temporary committee formed to address a specific issue or investigate a particular matter beyond the scope of standing committees

sub-committee

A smaller group within a committee focusing on particular issues.

Committee Chair

Leader of a committee

Ranking member (House)

The most senior member of the minority party in a committee

Vice-chair (Senate)

Second-highest-ranking member of a committee

seniority system

Preference for assignments based on length of service

House Appropriations Committee

Handles writing legislation that allocates federal funds

Majority Leader

The legislative leader of the party holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate. They are responsible for scheduling legislation, planning the legislative agenda, and guiding the party's legislative strategy.

Minority Leader

The legislative leader of the party holding the minority of seats in the House or Senate. They serve as the primary spokesperson for their party and work to counter the majority party's agenda.

whip

A member of a legislative body charged with enforcing party discipline, ensuring members vote according to party lines, and gathering intelligence on how members plan to vote.

10 years

How often does a census occur?

Census

determine the number of people in the United States, which is then used for reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives

redistricting

Redrawing of electoral district boundaries

gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage

casework

elected officials and their staff assist individual constituents with issues related to federal agencies

pork barrel spending

Legislation that provides tangible benefits, such as jobs or public works projects, to a legislator's constituents with the primary goal of winning votes or pleasing local interests, often at the expense of the general public.

filibuster

Prolonged speech to delay legislative action in the Senate

cloture vote

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

unanimous consent

a proposal is adopted without any member present objecting

reconciliation

allows Congress to pass certain types of budget-related legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate

calendar

A list of bills or resolutions awaiting action by the House or Senate.

quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present to officially conduct business in a legislative body

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to execute expressed powers

power of the purse

Congress's authority over federal spending

revenue bills

Legislation related to taxation (raising money)

appropriations bills

Legislation authorizing government spending (spending money)

subpoena

A legal order compelling a person to appear in court or before a legislative committee, or to produce documents

gridlock

A situation in government when the legislative process comes to a standstill due to competing political parties or branches of government, making it difficult to pass laws

rider

An additional provision added to a bill

hearing

A session for gathering information on proposed legislation

markup session

Meeting where a committee amends legislation

veto

President's rejection of a bill

pocket veto

Indirect veto by the president by not signing a bill within 10 days

435

members are there in the House of Representatives

100

members are there in the Senate

2 years

term in office in the House of Representatives

6 years

term in office in the Senate

1/3

How many members of the Senate are up for election every two years?

incumbents

a candidate for political office who currently holds the position they are seeking to re-elect

Congressional Oversight

the legislative branch's responsibility to monitor and indirectly supervise federal programs, agencies, and policies

impeachment

The House votes to charge an official with misconduct

removal

 The Senate conducts a trial and can remove the official with a two-thirds vote, happens after getting impeached