POL 1100: American Government Week 3 Slides

Legislative and Congress

Constituency

people living in a district or state that is represented bya memeber of Congress

Delegate

acting on the expressed preferences of their constituents

Trustee

more loosely connected to constituents and empowered to amke decisions they think are best

Descriptive Representation

representatives have same racial, gender, age, social, class, ethnic. religious, or educational backgrounds as thier constituents

Substantive Representation

representatives may fear defeat at polls, or believe in serving thier constituents even if their own personal background and views differ

Casework - constituency service

both senators and hosue memebrs assgin numerous staffers to their district offcies to deal wiht constituent concerns

Apportionment

redistribution of seats among the sattes a zero sum process

Gerrymandering

the manipulation of electoral districts to serve the interests of particular group

Legislative Hearing

address specific bills, invite experts and stakeholders to give testimony

Oversight Hearings

investigate executive branch officials or other individuals to question thier conduct or causes of a problem

Markup Sessions

sessions in which a Congressional committee rewrties legislation to incorporate changes discussed during hearings on a bill

Select Committees

usually not permanent and do not have power to present legislation to the full congress

Joint Committees

legislative committees formed of memebers of both the hosue and senate

Conference Committees

temporary joint committees created to work out a compromise on HOuse and Senate versions of piece of legislation

Resolution

proposed by members of Congress adn are expressions of public opinion and do not have the force of law

Joint Resolution

used for emergency appropriations, propse constitutional amendments or declare war

Filibuster

tatic used by a memebr of Senate to prevent action on legislation they oppose by continuously holding the floor and speaking until the majority backs down

Cloture

used to end a filibuster, its a process in a legislative body to end a debate on a bill in the Senate, 60 senators must agree in order to impose a time limit and end debate

Veto

presidential power to tunr down acts of Congress, can be overridden by 2/3rds vote

Pocket Veto

presidential veto that is automatically triggered if the president does not sign on a piece of legislation passed during the final 10 days of a legislative session

Interest Groups

these groups can mobilize constituents, serve as watchdogs, and supply candidates with information and money

Party

party leaders can influence behavior of members. Party discipline is at an all time high

Party Unity Vote

where a majority of each party vote on the opposing sides og an issue

Polarization

deep ideological distance between two parties

Oversight

effort by Congress through hearings, investigations, and other techniques to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies; Oversight is becoming extremely partisan

Special Senate Powers: Advise and Consent

apporve treaties, judicial nominees, ambassadors, and executive positions

Impeachment

formal charge by House of Representatives that a government offical has committed “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors”