CH.10 Vocab

study rember

Constituents

People who live in an elected offical area and are represented by that offical

Incumbent

A person who currently holds an elected office

Speaker

The leader of the House of Representatives who helps contorl what happens in the house

Party caucus

A meeting of members of the same political party to discuss policies and select candidates.

Majority leader

The leader of the political party that has more members in a chamber of Congress responsible for scheduling legislation and guiding party strategy.

Minority Leader

The leader of the political party that has fewer members in a chamber of congress

Whip

A party leader who helps gather votes and makes sure party members know the party’s position

closed rule

A house rule that limits or prevents members from offering amendments to a bill

Open rule

A house rule that allows debate on a bill and permits members to offer amendments to it.

Presdeint pro tempore

A senate leader who provides over the Senate when the vice presiodent is not there.

Bicameralism

A system where a legislature has two sepreate chambers, such as the House and Senate

Cloture

A senate procedure used to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority vote to limit further debate on a bill.

Standing committe

a permanent legislative panel or group that operates continuously to review bills, study policy areas, and oversee government agencies

Special or select committee

A temporary committee cretaed to study or investigate a specific issue

Joint committee

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

Earmarks

Money set aside in a bill for a specific project or purpose

Seniority rule

A tradition of giving members with more years of service greater leadership or commitee positions

Log rolling

When lawmaers agree to support each others bill or projects

Pork barrel

Government spending for localized projects intended to bring money to a representative's district.

Lobbyist

A person who is hired to influence legislators and officials on behalf of specific interest groups or organizations.