AP Gov Chapter 4 Legislation Flashcard Terms (copy)

Partisanship

Loyalty to a political party that shapes how members of Congress or voters behave and make decisions.

Budget Process

The procedure Congress follows to create and approve the federal budget

Cloture

A procedure in the Senate to end debate on a bill (including a filibuster); requires 60 votes.

Gerrymandering

Drawing congressional district boundaries to benefit a specific party or group.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period.

How a Bill Becomes a Law (HABBAL)

The process by which a bill is introduced

House Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that sets the terms for debate and amendments on bills before they go to the full House.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee of House and Senate members created to resolve differences on a bill passed by both chambers.

Constituencies

The people and interests a member of Congress represents.

Delegate

A representative who votes strictly according to the wishes of their constituents.

Trustee

A representative who uses their own judgment when making decisions

Politico

A representative who acts as either a delegate or trustee depending on the issue.

Impeachment

The process by which the House of Representatives charges a federal official (including the president) with misconduct.

Incumbency

The status of already holding an elected office

Joint Committee

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

Logrolling

An agreement between legislators to support each other’s bills or projects.

Majority & Minority Leader

The elected leaders of the party with the most seats (majority) and the party with fewer seats (minority) in each chamber of Congress.

Malapportionment

Unequal representation in legislative districts that violates the principle of “one person

Markup

The process by which congressional committees review

17th Amendment

The constitutional amendment that established the direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

Oversight

The process by which Congress monitors the executive branch and its implementation of laws.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise and donate money to candidates or political parties to influence elections.

President pro tempore

A senator (usually from the majority party) who presides over the Senate in the vice president’s absence.

Redistricting/Apportionment

Redistricting: Redrawing congressional district boundaries every 10 years based on census data. Apportionment: Distributing seats in the House of Representatives among states based on population.

Rules Committee

(See House Rules Committee) Sets conditions for debate and amendments on bills in the House.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and most powerful leader of the House of Representatives.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress responsible for specific policy areas.

War Powers Resolution

A 1973 law limiting the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces to combat without congressional approval.

Whip

A party leader in Congress who helps coordinate party strategy and count votes.

Congressional Budget Act of 1974

A law that established procedures for Congress to develop and pass a budget

Casework

Assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents in dealing with government agencies.

Earmarks/Pork

Earmarks: Provisions in legislation directing funds to specific projects. Pork: Government spending for local projects to bring money to a representative’s district.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case establishing the principle of “one person