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Constituents

People who live in a politician’s district and are represented by that elected official.

Reapportionment

Redistributing the number of House seats each state gets based on population changes after each census.

Redistricting

Redrawing the boundaries of congressional districts within a state after reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

Redistricting done in a way that purposely benefits one political party or group.

Safe Seat

A district where one party or candidate is almost guaranteed to win.

Incumbent

The current officeholder running for re-election.

Earmarks

Special spending projects added to bills that benefit a specific district or group.

Bicameralism

A legislature with two separate chambers (e.g., House and Senate).

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.

Speaker

The leader of the House of Representatives and the most powerful person in the chamber.

Party Caucus

A meeting of party members in Congress to choose leaders and set goals.

Majority Leader

The leader of the political party that has the most seats in either chamber.

Minority Leader

The leader of the political party with fewer seats in either chamber.

Whip

Party leader who counts votes, enforces discipline, and gets members to vote with the party.

Closed Rule

A rule in the House that limits debate and prohibits amendments to a bill.

Open Rule

A rule that allows debate and permits members to propose amendments.

President Pro Tempore

The senator who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator speaks for a long time to delay or block a vote.

Cloture

A vote (60 senators) to end a filibuster and move to a final vote.

Standing Committee

Permanent committees in Congress that handle specific policy areas.

Special or Select Committee

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose or investigation.

Joint Committee

Committees that include members of both the House and Senate.

Seniority Rule

The longest-serving members of the majority party usually get committee leadership positions.

Conference Committee

A committee of House and Senate members who work out differences between versions of a bill.

Discharge Petition

A House action to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Rider

An unrelated addition to a bill, often something that wouldn’t pass on its own.

Pocket Veto

When the President ignores a bill for 10 days while Congress is adjourned, and it automatically dies.

Override

When Congress passes a bill despite a presidential veto (requires 2/3 vote in both chambers).

Delegate

A representative who votes strictly according to what their constituents want.

Trustee

A representative who uses their own judgment to make decisions.

Logrolling

When lawmakers trade votes: “You vote for my bill and I’ll vote for yours.”},{

Attentive Public

Citizens who follow politics closely and are well-informed.

Polarization

When political parties and their supporters become more ideologically divided.

Parliamentary government

A system of government in which the executive branch is led by a prime minister chosen by the legislature and remains in power only as long as it has the legislature’s support.

Electoral College

The group of electors chosen by voters in each state who formally elect the president and vice president of the United States.

Presidential ticket

The joint listing of a presidential candidate and their vice-presidential running mate in an election.

Vesting Clause

The clause in Article II of the Constitution that grants executive power to the president of the United States.

Treaty

A formal agreement between the United States and one or more foreign nations that requires approval by two-thirds of the Senate.

Executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval, usually based on existing treaties or laws.

Congressional–executive agreement

An international agreement approved by a majority of both houses of Congress instead of the Senate alone.

Recess appointment

The president’s power to temporarily fill vacancies while the Senate is not in session.

Veto

The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which Congress can override with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Pocket veto

A veto that occurs when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days and Congress adjourns, preventing the bill from becoming law.

Take Care Clause

The constitutional requirement that the president ensure the laws of the United States are faithfully executed.

Inherent powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the president’s role as chief executive and commander in chief.

State of the Union Address

An annual message from the president to Congress outlining national conditions, policy priorities, and legislative goals.

Signing statements

Written comments issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often explaining how the law will be interpreted or enforced.

Impeachment

The constitutional process by which the House of Representatives formally accuses a government official, with the Senate holding a trial.

War Powers Resolution

A 1973 law that limits the president’s ability to commit U.S. troops abroad without congressional approval beyond 60 days.

Executive privilege

The president’s power to withhold information from Congress or the courts to protect confidential communications.

Executive orders

Directives issued by the president that have the force of law and guide how executive branch agencies operate.

Executive memorandum

A presidential directive similar to an executive order but generally less formal and often used for internal management.

Impoundment

The president’s refusal to spend funds that Congress has appropriated; now restricted by federal law.

Line-item veto

The power to reject specific parts of a spending bill; ruled unconstitutional for presidents in the United States.

Chief of staff

The president’s top aide who manages White House operations and controls access to the president.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A group of agencies and advisors that support the president in carrying out executive duties and policy-making.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

An agency within the EOP that helps prepare the federal budget and oversees executive agency performance.

Cabinet

The heads of the major executive departments who advise the president on policy and administration.

Presidential support score

A measure of how often members of Congress vote in line with the president’s policy positions.

Mandate

A perceived public approval of the president’s policies, often claimed after a decisive election victory.

Political capital

The influence and authority a president has to advance policy goals, based on popularity, election results, and relationships.

Rally point

A sudden increase in public support for the president, usually during a national crisis or foreign policy event.

Bully pulpit

The president’s ability to use the visibility and influence of the office to shape public opinion and pressure Congress or the public to support a policy agenda.