Legislative Branch

Mark Up

Term for when committees and subcommittees make revisions and additions to legislation.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature.

Pocket Veto

When a President lets a bill die because Congress adjourns within 10 days of the President getting the bill.

Discharge Petition

When a majority vote in the House forces a bill out of committee for a vote.

Omnibus Legislation

Term for large bills that often cover several topics and may contain extraneous projects.

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Reconciliation

An alternate congressional process through which a bill can pass without the threat of a filibuster.

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to limit debate on a bill.

3/5

Portion of the Senate needed to invoke cloture and end a filibuster.

2/3

Portion of the House & Senate needed to override a Presidential veto.

House Rules Committee

Committee that sets the rules for debate and amendments in the House.

Ways and Means

House committee that handles tax bills.

Appropriations Committee

Congressional committee that deals with federal spending.

Delegate

Term for when a Congressman votes based on the wants and needs of his constituents.

Trustee

Term for when a Congressman votes based on his own morals and beliefs.

Partisan

Term for when a Congressman votes based on his political party's wants and needs.

Politico

Term for when a Congressman votes sometimes as a delegate and other times as a trustee.

Descriptive Representation

Term for the idea that an elected body should mirror demographically the population it represents.

Log Rolling

Term for when a legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support.

Casework

Term for the work that a lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem.

Gerrymandering

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

Pork Barrel Legislation

Laws passed by Congress that appropriate money for local federal projects.

Poison Pill

Term for an unfavorable amendment added to a bill with the intention of killing it.

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money.

Quorum

Term for the minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress.

Quorum Buster

A way to kill a bill when members leave the chamber to avoid enough members being present.

Incumbency Advantage

Term for the electoral edge afforded to those already in office.

Interest Group

A private organization whose members work to shape public policy.

Lobbyist

A person who works for an interest group to influence elected officials.

Pigeonhole

Term for when a bill gets 'stuck' or buried in committee.