Unit 4 Govt.

Constituents

Each member of Congress represents the people of a specific geographic area

Power of Purse

Checks the Executive Branch through appropriation

Advice and Consent

Final approval on treaties and the govt officials

Impeachment

Checks the Executive and Judicial Branch

Necessary & Proper Clause

Allows Congress to review executive operations

Census

House is reapportioned after every 10 years

Gerrymandering

Party in power in the state tends to redraw district lines to benefit and strengthen their party

Speaker of the House

Elected by Representatives, comes from majority party, and presides over the House

Whip

Party hustlers and they gather info on how members are voting

Standing Committee

Address major areas in which most laws are proposed

Special Committee

Created to carry out specific tasks

Joint Committee

Work in conjunction with Senate on broader issues

President Pro Tempore

Presides in absence of President of Senate and the longest serving senator from the majority party

Senate Majority Leader

Most powerful position in the Senate and oversees majority party strategy and action in Senate

Filibuster

Members of the senate take a floor a don’t stop talking to prevent a measure from going to vote

Cloture

A supermajority (typically 60 votes) can end the filibuster and force the measure to vote

Private Billl

Bills can be affecting one person/group or public (affecting everyone)

Rider

Unpopular provisions that would likely not pass on their own and usually have nothing to do with the main topic of the bill

Markup

Subcommittee may then choose to make amendments to the bill (markup)

Pocket Veto

If congress adjourns during the 10-day window, the bill is vetoed and does not become law