Congressional Politics, Rules, and Procedures

A comprehensive vocabulary collection covering constituencies, legislative measures, House and Senate procedures, committee theories, and lobbying tactics in Congress.

Casework

A member’s office helps a resident solve a problem with a federal agency.

Geographic constituency

Everyone who lives in a member’s district or state.

Reelection constituency

The voters whose support a member needs to win another term.

Primary constituency

Highly ideological party activists and primary voters.

Personal constituency

Supporters loyal to a member because of personal relationships or service.

Person-to-person style

Representation based on individual contact and constituent service.

Issue-oriented style

Representation focused mainly on policy positions and legislation.

Congressional Research Service

Provides nonpartisan policy research for Congress.

Congressional Budget Office

Estimates the financial cost of proposed legislation.

Government Accountability Office

Investigates and audits federal programs.

Revolving door

Officials move between government jobs and private lobbying positions.

Franking

Free official mail sent by members to constituents.

Legislative effectiveness scores

Measures how successfully a member advances legislation.

Standing committee

A permanent committee focused on a policy area.

Special/select committee

A temporary committee created for investigation or a specific issue.

Gang

An informal group of members who negotiate around a policy issue.

Conference committee

House and Senate members reconcile two versions of a bill.

Distributive theory of committees

Committees help members deliver benefits to their districts.

Informational theory of committees

Committees provide expertise and information to Congress.

Partisan theory of committees

Committees are tools used by the majority party.

Conditional party government

Party leaders gain power when their members are unified.

Hastert rule

The Speaker generally avoids bringing bills forward without majority-party support.

Veto bargaining

Congress negotiates with the president over legislation the president may reject.

DW-NOMINATE

Estimates ideology based on members’ roll-call voting patterns.

Party unity scores

Measures how frequently members vote with their party.

Implicit bargaining

Negotiation based on expectations, signals, or assumed preferences.

Explicit bargaining

Direct negotiation involving clear offers and agreements.

Pluralism

Policy develops through competition among organized interest groups.

Insider tactics

Lobbyists work privately with legislators and congressional staff.

Outsider tactics

Groups use media, protests, or public pressure.

Direct lobbying

Lobbyists personally communicate with lawmakers to influence them.

Social lobbying

Political influence developed through personal or social relationships.

Grassroots lobbying

Citizens are organized to contact their representatives.

Astroturf

A campaign that appears citizen-led but is secretly organized by an interest group.

Issue networks

Loose alliances of experts, agencies, groups, and legislators around an issue.

Bill

A proposed law that must pass both chambers and receive presidential approval.

Concurrent resolution

Passed by both chambers but does not become law or require the president’s signature.

Resolution

A measure passed by one chamber, often expressing an opinion or setting internal rules.

Cosponsorship

Members publicly add their names in support of another member’s bill.

Omnibus legislation

One large bill containing many separate policies or appropriations.

Sweeteners

Benefits added to persuade members to support a bill.

Poison pills

Provisions designed to make a bill unacceptable to opponents.

Suspension of the rules

Fast-track procedure with limited debate, no amendments, and a two-thirds vote.

House Rules Committee

Sets the terms for debate and amendments on most major House bills.

Union Calendar

Used for bills involving taxes, spending, or government funds.

House Calendar

Used for most public bills that do not involve money.

Consensus Calendar

Used for bills with substantial bipartisan support.

Closed rule

No amendments are allowed on the floor.

Structured rule

Only specifically approved amendments are allowed.

Open rule

Members may offer many relevant amendments.

Discharge petition

Allows a bill to bypass committee with 218 House signatures.

Motion to recommit

Attempts to send a House bill back to committee.

Amendment tree

Limits the number and order of amendments that may be offered.

Regular order

Legislation follows the normal committee, debate, and amendment process.

Irregular order

Leaders bypass normal procedures to move legislation quickly.

Going public

A political actor appeals directly to the public to pressure Congress.

Motion to proceed

A Senate motion to begin debating a bill.

Unanimous consent agreement

Senators agree to limits on debate or amendments.

Hotline

Senate leaders informally check whether senators object to an agreement.

Rule XIV

Allows a Senate bill to reach the calendar without normal committee consideration.

Hold

A senator requests that action on a bill or nomination be delayed.

Filibuster

Extended debate or procedural obstruction used to delay or block action.

Cloture

A vote to end debate, usually requiring 60 senators.

Nuclear option

Changing Senate precedent by majority vote to weaken procedural requirements.

Delegate paradox

Members are expected to follow constituents but also use their own judgment.

Status quo

The existing policy before a proposed change.

Negative agenda control

The ability to prevent a bill from being considered.

Positive agenda control

The ability to decide which bills receive consideration.

Perfect information

All relevant actors know the available choices and consequences.

Signing statement

The president’s explanation of how a signed law will be interpreted.