Unit 2: Legislative and Executive Branch

Advise and Consent

the power of the Senate to confirm or deny presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts and for the approval of international treaties.

Appropriation

A bill that provides funding for a program that has been authorized

Approval Rating

A measurement of how popular, or unpopular, a leader or program is among the people

Bill

A proposed law being debated in Congress

Bipartisan

A label given if support for something comes from members of both parties

Bully pulpit

An idea that means presidents can gather public support more easily than the numerous members of Congress through their use of the media. Presidents can control the agenda.

Caucuses

Informal meetings in the Congress of groups with similar interests and constituencies, i.e. The Congressional Black Caucus

Census

the counting of the population every ten years, used to determine representation

Cloture

Procedures developed in the Senate to end filibusters through votes. Based on the approval of 60 Senators.

Commerce clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 equals Congress’ power to “regulate Commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states.” Power has grown over time.

Conference Committees

composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, formed to iron out differences in bills

Congressional Views

Delegates feel they should follow the instructions of their constituents; Trustees believe they should use their own judgment to decide what is best for the voters and nation; Politicos blend the roles of delegate and trustee, balancing the needs of the nation with the needs of their own constituents

Divided government

This describes the times when one party controls the majority of one, or both, chambers of Congress and the other party controls the executive. It is a unique by-product of the separate election of presidents.

Earmarks

the official term used in Congress for bills that contain pork barrel legislation

Elastic clause

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 - Congress has the power to make necessary and proper laws

Filibuster

A strategy used in the Senate to speak a bill to death by delaying votes, stopping other legislation, etc., until the bill sponsors give up the bill.

Gerrymandering

The division of voting districts with the goal of making one party stronger in electoral votes or in the legislature

Gridlock

A collapse of cooperation between the House and Senate or between Congress and the president. It is also used to describe the condition that arises under “divided” government.

Honeymoon

The general tradition that Congress, and the public, will be very supportive of a president during the first 100 days of the first term.

Impeach

the act of charging a public official (often the president) with criminal acts or misconduct while in office

Lame duck

a person that has been defeated in a recent election or has announced that he is retiring and have not yet been replaced. His power usually becomes severely limited.

Legislative Oversight

the role of congressional standing committees to ensure that legislation is being executed properly by the executive branch and the bureaucracy

Majority and Minority Whips

party members in both the House and the Senate whose job it is to line up votes for bills

Pork/pork barrel

Legislation that is often local and intended to help districts with contracts and money. Used by members of Congress to gain favors from home constituents and pad voting support.

Quorum

the number of members needed to hold an official meeting or conduct binding votes. The traditional number in Congress is half of the members plus one.

Reapportionment

the process of redistributing congressional seats after the census altering the total number of congressional seats each state has

Recess appointments

appointment made by the president while the Senate is not in session, the position becomes vacant again if the appointment is not confirmed by the end of the next congressional session

Redistricting

the process of drawing new lines for congressional districts after the census every ten years, lines must be contiguous, based on population, and not dilute minority strength

Reprieves and pardons

power of the President to pardon someone from a criminal offense

Select Committees

congressional committees formed for a specific purpose or hearing

Speaker of the House

elected by the majority party in the House of Representatives, presides over the house and assigns committees

Standing Committees

handles bills and oversight in particular policy areas

Super majority

When more than a majority is needed for action in Congress, i.e. 60 votes to end a filibuster, 2/3 vote to ratify an amendment

War Powers Act

requires the president to inform Congress within 48 hours when sending troops overseas, and mandates withdrawal of troops after 60 days if Congress does not declare war or grant an extension