AP GOV unit 2

Cloture

A procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it

Instructed delegate

The idea that the main duty of a member of congress is to carry out constituents wishes

Hold

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

Filibuster

A tactic though which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation

Gerrymandering

The intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters

Impeachment

The process of removing a president from office within articles of impeachment issued by a majority vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial in the Senate with a 2/3 vote necessary to convict and remove

Joint committee

A committee made up of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, typically formed to address specific issues and streamline legislation

Logrolling

Trading of votes on legislation by member of congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

Majority leader(senate)

The person who has the most power in the senate and is the head of the party with the most seats

Mandatory spending

Spending required by existing law that is “locked in” the budget

Discretionary spending

Spending programs and policies at the discretion of congress and the president

Enumerated powers

Power expressly granted in the constitution

Implied powers

Power is not laid out in the constitution but used to carry out presidential duties

Caucus (congressional)

A meeting of members of a political party or faction to discuss policy, select candidates, or make decisions regarding legislation.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1962 that established the principle of one person, one vote, ruling that redistricting was a justiciable issue, allowing federal courts to hear cases related to legislative district irregularities and reapportionment

Appropriations

The process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data

Speaker of the house

The leader of the House of Representatives chosen by an election of its members

Minority leader

The head of the party with the second highest number of seats in congress chosen by the party’s members

Unanimous consent

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

Trustee

The idea that member of congress should act as trustees making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Party whip

A member of congress chosen by his or her party members whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline

Necessary and proper clause

A provision in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that grants Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, enabling Congress to exercise implied powers.

President of the senate

The Vice President of the United States, who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes.

Pork barrel

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Shaw v Reno

A landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1993 that ruled that redistricting based on race must meet strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, thereby making racial gerrymandering illegal.

Pocket veto

The informal veto cause when the president chooses not to sign a bill within 10 days during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of the session

redistricting

States redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census

Executive order

Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval

Signing statement

Written in comments, issued by president while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill, but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself

Discharge petition

A motion filed by a member of congress to move a bill out of committee and into the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote

State of the union

The annual speech from the president of Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs

White House staff

The group of individuals who assist the President in managing the executive branch and carrying out presidential duties, including advisors, assistants, and various officials.

Federalist 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton arguing for a strong, energetic executive leader, emphasizing the need for a single president to ensure accountability and decisive action in the government.

Lame duck

Period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees

Ideological division

The separation or disagreement among individuals, groups, or political parties on the basis of differing beliefs, values, or principles, which often leads to partisanship and conflicts in decision-making.

Committee of the whole

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

Policy gridlock

A slowdown or halt in congresses ability to legislate and overcome divisions especially those based on partisanship

Politico

Representation where member of congress balances their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties in making decisions

Polarization

The division of opinions and beliefs into distinct and often opposing groups, which can lead to increased partisanship and conflict in political decision-making.

Divided government

Control of the presidency and one or both chambers of congress split between the two major parties