Ch 7 US Gov

Simple Resolution

Passed by either the House or Senate, it does not have the force of law and is used for matters affecting only one chamber.

Concurrent Resolution

Requires approval from both the House and Senate but does not require the President’s signature and does not have the force of law; used for matters affecting both chambers.

Joint Resolution

Similar to a bill, has the force of law if passed by both chambers and signed by the President; often used for constitutional amendments or temporary measures.

House Ways and Means Committee

The committee in the House responsible for tax legislation.

Uncontrollable Expenditures

Government expenses mandated by existing law that cannot be easily altered, such as Social Security payments and Medicare.

Republican Party

The political party that historically tends to vote in favor of business interests.

Democratic Party

The political party that historically tends to support social welfare programs.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that collect and distribute campaign funds to influence elections and policy decisions.

Federal Grants and Contracts

Provide funding for public projects, research, and services, often awarded to state and local governments and organizations.

Public Bill

A bill that applies to the general public or a large segment of it, like national policies.

Private Bill

A bill that affects only a specific individual, organization, or locality, often used for immigration issues.

Mandatory Spending

The largest portion of the federal budget, primarily spent on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Entitlements

Programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet specific eligibility requirements, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Appropriations Committees

The committees in the House and Senate responsible for setting spending limits and cutting budgets.

Lobbyists

Individuals or groups hired to influence lawmakers and government officials on specific legislation or policies.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Government spending allocated for local projects to benefit a legislator’s constituency in exchange for political support.

Rider

An additional provision added to a bill that may not be related to the bill’s main subject, often used to pass controversial measures.

Appropriations Committee Functions

Responsible for passing bills that regulate government expenditures and deciding funding allocations for agencies and programs.

Casework

The process of legislators helping constituents solve problems with government agencies, important for building trust and support.

Hearings

Formal meetings where committees gather information and opinions on proposed legislation or conduct investigations.

Presidential Vetoes

The President can use a regular veto or a pocket veto; the line-item veto was ruled unconstitutional in 1998.

Methods of Voting in the House

Voice vote, division vote, recorded vote, and electronic vote.

Pigeonholing

When a committee ignores a bill, effectively killing it.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors, such as trading votes to gain support for different bills.

Conferees

Members of a conference committee appointed to resolve disagreements between the House and Senate on a bill.

Tax Bill

A bill that deals with taxes and revenue collection.

Appropriations Bill

A bill that provides actual funding for government programs.

Authorization Bill

A bill that establishes or continues a government program or agency and sets its operational terms.

Legislative Process

The reason so few bills introduced in Congress become law due to multiple stages, political disagreements, and procedural rules.