Congress

Quiz on 12/11

Pork Barrel Spending

legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Logrolling

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

oversight

the effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies

Constituency

the people and interests that an elected official represents

Apportionment

Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

partisan gerrymandering

drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

majority-minority district

a district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district

Malapportionment

drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population

Incumbency

being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

incumbency advantage

institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election

Speaker of the House

the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Political Action Committee (PAC)

an interest group that raises funds and donates to election campaigns

House Majority Leader

the person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives

whip

a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking; ensure party unity and discipline.

Minority Leader

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate; chosen by the party's members.

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.

Committee Chair

leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda

Discharge Petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for a vote.

House Rules Committee

a powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor.

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

Hold

a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill.

Filibuster

a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate; requires 60 votes in the Senate.

Veto

the power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

the executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities.

Entitlement progams

a program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income.

mandatory spending

spending required by existing laws that is "locked in" the budget

discretionary spending

Federal spending on programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president.

Budget surplus

the amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than it spends

Budget Deficit

the annual shortfall when a government takes in less money that it spends.

National Debt

the total amount of money owned by the federal government.

Delegate role

the idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes

Trustee role

the idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Politico role

representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions

Bipartisanship

agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation

Gridlock

a slowdown or halt in Congress's ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship

Divided Government

control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties

Lame Duck Period

period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees