Magruders American Government Ch. 4

Delegate

A representative who acts according to the wishes of constituents.

Trustee

A representative who uses personal judgment to make decisions.

Partisan

A representative who strongly supports their political party.

Politico

A representative who combines the roles of delegate, trustee, and partisan.

Term

The period of time an elected official serves in office.

Session

A period during which Congress meets to conduct business.

Convene

To assemble for a meeting.

Adjourn

To end a meeting or session.

Recess

A temporary break in a meeting.

Apportion

To distribute seats among states based on population.

Gerrymander

To draw electoral district boundaries to benefit a political party or group.

Incumbent

A person currently holding an elected office.

Constituency

The people represented by an elected official.

Oversight

Congressional monitoring of executive branch activities.

Expressed powers

Powers specifically written in the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers reasonably inferred from the Constitution's expressed powers.

Commerce

The buying, selling, and exchanging of goods and services.

Tax

A required payment collected by the government.

Debt

Money owed by the government.

Deficit

The amount by which spending exceeds revenue.

Bankruptcy

A legal process for addressing debts that cannot be repaid.

Copyright

Legal protection for an author's original work.

Patent

Legal protection for an inventor's invention.

Eminent domain

Government power to take private property for public use, with just compensation.

Naturalization

The legal process through which a noncitizen becomes a citizen.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to discuss issues or make decisions.

Whip

A party official who helps organize members and gather votes.

Seniority

Length of service in an organization or office.

Standing committee

A permanent congressional committee that handles a particular subject area.

Subcommittee

A smaller group within a committee that focuses on a specific topic.

Select committee

A committee created for a particular purpose or investigation.

Joint committee

A committee made up of members of both the House and Senate.

Chairman or chairperson

The person who leads a committee.

Majority party

The political party holding more than half the seats in a legislative chamber.

Minority party

The political party with fewer seats than the majority party.

Consensus

General agreement among members of a group.

Appropriate

To set aside money for a specific government purpose.

Impeach

To formally accuse a federal official of misconduct.

Acquit

To find someone not guilty of a charge.

Perjury

Knowingly lying under oath.

Censure

A formal statement of disapproval by a legislative body.

Subpoena

A legal order requiring someone to provide testimony or evidence.

Successor

A person who takes over an office or position.

Bill

A proposed law introduced in Congress.

Resolution

A formal measure expressing a legislative body's decision or position.

Concurrent resolution

A measure adopted by both chambers, generally not requiring presidential approval and not having the force of law.

Rider

A provision added to a bill that may address a different subject.

Pigeonhole

To set a bill aside without taking action on it.

Petition

A formal request, including a discharge petition used to try to bring a bill out of committee.

Quorum

The minimum number of members required to conduct official business.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block action on legislation.

Cloture

A Senate procedure for limiting debate.

Veto

The president's rejection of a bill.

Pocket veto

A presidential action that prevents a bill from becoming law by leaving it unsigned when Congress adjourns under the relevant constitutional conditions.

Omnibus bill

A large bill combining multiple measures or subjects.

Measure

A proposed or formal legislative action.