Congress

20th Amendment

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that sets the date for the beginning and ending of each session of Congress.

House of Representatives

The branch of Congress that was originally directly elected by voters and represents the people more closely.

Senate

The branch of Congress that is more stable and less influenced by the emotions and whims of voters.

Congress

The legislative branch of the U.S. government that is responsible for making laws, budgeting, oversight, and checks and balances.

Constituencies

Bodies of voters in an area who elect a Representative or Senator.

Apportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population shifts reflected in the census.

Experience and money

Major factors used in political campaigns, with experience building reputation and money being the lifeblood of a campaign.

Speaker of the House

The most powerful member of the House of Representatives who controls the House agenda and committee assignments.

Majority Leader

The assistant to the Speaker of the House who sets the majority party's agenda.

Majority Whip

The assistant to the majority leader who collects information on member voting and support on key votes and encourages party unity.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives who coordinates activity within the party.

Minority Whip

The assistant to the minority leader who collects information on member voting and support on key votes and sets party strategy.

Vice President

The official leader of the Senate who casts tie-breaking votes.

President Pro Tempore

The person who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Committees

Groups of members of Congress who work on specific policy areas and play a crucial role in the lawmaking process.

Bill

A proposed law presented to the House or Senate for consideration.

Filibuster

An attempt to talk a bill to death using unlimited debate in the Senate.

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster by ending debate in the Senate.

House-Senate Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee that resolves differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Federal Budget

The plan for the federal government's spending for the fiscal year, which is set by the President and Congress.