Unit 2.2 Structures, Powers and Functions of Congress

cloture rule

A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate. Designed to prevent "talking a bill to death" by filibuster. For a bill to pass in the Senate, three-fifths of the entire Senate membership must vote for it.

Committee of the Whole

consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

conference committee

Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

deficit

the difference between tax revenue and government spending when government spending exceeds tax revenue

discharge petition

a motion to force a bill to the House floor that has been held up in committee

discretionary spending

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

Filibuster

A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

germane

amendments to a bill that are directly related to the legislation

hold

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.

joint committee

A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

mandatory spending

spending on certain programs that is mandated, or required, by existing law such as social security, medicare, medicaid

Omnibus Bill

Includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs. Sometimes called Christmas Tree bills.

Pork Barrel Spending (earmarks)

legislative funding for unnecessary projects that favor the district of a particular legislator

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, the Senate's presiding officer. The VP can break tie votes.

President Pro Tempore

a high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the US Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Rider

A provision attached to a bill - to which it may or may not be related - in order to secure its passage or defeat.

Rules Committee

A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.

select committee

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.

Senate Majority Leader

Legislative leader selected by the majority party in the Senate who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives, formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party. Second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

sponsor

a member of Congress who introduces a bill

Unanimous consent

an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

Ways and Means Committee

Powerful house committee that handles tax bills

Whip

a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking. This person communicates view of leadership to party members and will occasionally strong-arm party members to vote with the party.