AP Gov vocab unit 2 VQ 3

Caucuses

Informal meetings of House or Senate members to discuss policy topics based on party or shared interests. Examples include Blue Dogs and Freedom Caucus.

Cloture Rule

Senate procedure used to end or limit debate and overcome a filibuster. Requires 16 senators to sign a petition and normally a three-fifths vote (60 senators) to invoke cloture.

Committee of the Whole

A form of House operation in which rules are relaxed to allow more flexible debate and consideration of legislation.

Conference Committee

Temporary committee created to resolve differences between versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate.

Congressional Oversight

Congress's practice of ensuring executive branch agencies carry out laws, policies, and programs as Congress intended.

Delegate Model

Representation model in which lawmakers vote according to the wishes of their constituents rather than their own opinions.

Discharge Petition

Procedure used to bring a bill out of a House committee and onto the House floor for consideration.

Filibuster

Senate tactic used to delay or block a vote on legislation through extended debate or other procedural means.

Germane

Directly related to the subject or topic of the bill being considered.

Hold

An objection raised by a senator to delay Senate action on a bill or nomination.

House Judiciary Committee

House committee responsible for legislation involving the legal system and for handling impeachment proceedings.

Markup Session

Committee or subcommittee meeting to review, amend, rewrite, or approve a proposed bill.

Politico Model

Representation model in which lawmakers balance trustee, delegate, and partisan roles when making decisions.

Rules Committee

House committee that determines the conditions for debating, amending, and considering bills, including open or closed rules.

Senate Majority Leader

Leader and chief spokesperson of the Senate majority party who directs its legislative agenda and political strategy.

Seventeenth Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing the direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

Standing Committee

Permanent congressional committee responsible for legislation within a particular subject area.

Trustee Model

Representation model in which lawmakers use their own judgment and conscience when deciding how to vote.

Unanimous Consent

Agreement of all senators present to take an action, often to speed up procedures, suspend certain rules, or limit debate.

Ways and Means Committee

House committee responsible for developing tax legislation, working alongside the Senate Finance Committee.