Unit 3 Congress Vocab

Representation

The function of members of Congress as elected officials representing the views of their constituents

National lawmaking

The creation of policy to address the problems and needs of the entire nation

Partisanship

Loyalty to a party that helps shape how members see the world, define problems, and identify appropriate solutions

Polarization

The growing ideological divide between political groups, where individuals increasingly align with extreme positions rather than moderate viewpoints.

Hyper-partisanship

A commitment to party so strong that it can transcend other commitments

Constituency

The voters in a state or district

Policy representation

Congressional work to advance the issues and ideological preferences of constituents

Allocative representation

Congressional work to secure projects, services, and funds for the represented district

Pork-barrel (earmarks)

Public works projects and grants for specific districts paid for by general revenues

Casework

Personal work for constituents by members of Congress

Franking

The privilege of free mail service provided to members of Congress

Symbolic representation

Efforts of members of Congress to stand for American ideals or to identify with common constituency values

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers

Congressional oversight

Efforts by Congress, especially through committees, to monitor agency rule making, enforcement, and implementation of congressional policies

Reapportionment

A reallocation of congressional seats among the states every ten years, following the census

Redistricting

The process of dividing states into legislative districts

Gerrymandering

Redistricting to benefit a particular group

Racial gerrymandering

Redistricting to enhance or reduce the chances that a racial or ethnic group will elect members to the legislature

Strategic politicians

Office-seekers who base the decision to run on a rational calculation that they will be successful

Incumbency advantage

The electoral edge afforded to those already in office

Incumbent

The person who currently holds a political office or position. This can range from a local council member to a president or member of Congress.

Coattail effect

The influence of a popular candidate on the electoral success of other candidates on the same party ticket. The effect is increased by the party-column ballot, which encourages straight-ticket voting.

Midterm loss

The historical trend in which the political party holding the presidency loses a significant number of seats in Congress during the midterm elections.

Majority party

The party with the most seats in a house of Congress

Minority party

A political party that holds fewer than half of the seats in a legislative body. Often described as the "next-largest party" after the majority party

Party polarization

Greater ideological (liberal versus conservative) differences between the parties and increased ideological consensus within the parties

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives. The Speaker is always a member of the majority party and is the most powerful and influential member of the House

Majority Leader (House and Senate)

A legislative position held by an important party member in the House of Representatives. The majority leader is selected by the majority party in caucus or conference to foster cohesion among party members and to act as a spokesperson for the majority party in the House.

Minority Leader (House and Senate)

The party leader elected by the minority party in the House.

Majority Whip (House and Senate)

An elected party official in either the House of Representatives or the Senate who is responsible for mobilizing votes and ensuring party discipline.

Minority Whip (House and Senate)

An assistant leader who works to mobilize members of the minority party to vote according to the party's official position.

Whip system

A formal structure within a political party that ensures legislative discipline and unity among its members.

President Pro Tempore

The temporary presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the vice president

Seniority system

A custom followed in both chambers of Congress specifying that the member of the majority party with the longest term of continuous service will be given preference when a committee chairperson (or a holder of some other significant post) is selected

Standing committee

A permanent committee in the House or Senate that considers bills with a certain subject area

House Rules Committee

The committee that determines how and when debate on a bill will take place

Select Committee

A committee appointed to deal with an issue or a problem not suited to a standing committee

Joint Committees

Combined House-Senate committees formed to coordinate activities and expedite legislation in a certain area

Conference Committee

Temporary committees formed to reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of a bill

Norms

Informal, unwritten expectations that guide behavior and support formal rule systems; often most noticeable when broken

Legislative agenda

The slate of proposals and issues that representatives think it worthwhile to consider and act on

Policy entrepreneurship

The practice of legislators becoming experts and taking leadership roles in specific policy areas

Filibuster

A practice of unlimited debate in the Senate in order to prevent or delay a vote on a bill

Cloture

A vote to end a Senate filibuster; requires a three-fifths majority, or sixty votes

Omnibus legislation

A large bill that contains so many important elements that members can't afford to defeat it and the president can't afford to veto it, even if the bill contains elements they dislike

Roll call votes

Publicly recorded votes on bills and amendments on the floor of the House or the Senate

Veto override

Reversal of a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress

Pocket veto

Presidential authority to kill a bill submitted within ten days of the end of a legislative session by not signing it

Political socialization

The process by which we learn our political orientations and allegiances

Direct primary

An intraparty election in which the voters select the candidates who will run on a party's ticket in the subsequent general election

Closed primary

A type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member

Open primary

A primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party)

Nominating convention

the formal party gathering to choose candidates

Interest group

An organization of individuals who share a common political goal and unite for the purpose of influencing government decisions

Lobbying

Interest group activities aimed at persuading policymakers to support the group's positions

Political efficacy

Citizens' feelings of effectiveness in political affairs

Mass media

The means of conveying information to large public audiences cheaply and efficiently

Political party

A group of citizens united by ideology and seeking control of government in order to promote their ideas and policies