Gov Congress Vocab

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives responsible for guiding legislation and leading the majority party.

Pork barrel spending

Government spending on localized projects designed to benefit a legislator's constituents and win political support.

Cloture rule

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote typically requiring 60 votes.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States who presides over the Senate and casts tie-breaking votes.

Discretionary spending

Federal spending that Congress can adjust annually through the appropriations process.

Discharge petition

A means by which the House can force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Trustee model

A representative approach where legislators use their own judgment to make policy decisions.

Conference committees

Temporary committees composed of House and Senate members that reconcile differences in bills passed by both chambers.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator delays or blocks a vote by speaking at length or using procedural maneuvers.

Politico model

A legislative approach that blends trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue and political pressure.

Enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution such as taxing and declaring war.

Whip

A party leader who helps coordinate votes count support and enforce party discipline in Congress.

Mandatory spending

Government spending required by law such as Social Security and Medicare.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering in congressional districts is unconstitutional.

Standing committees

Permanent congressional committees that focus on specific policy areas and review legislation.

Ways and Means Committee

House committee responsible for taxation tariffs and revenue related legislation.

Joint committees

Committees made up of members from both the House and Senate to conduct studies or administrative tasks.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing House seats among the states based on population changes.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Supreme Court case establishing that federal courts can intervene in state redistricting cases.

Redistricting

The drawing of new congressional district boundaries within a state after reapportionment.

House Judiciary Committee

House committee that oversees legal and judicial matters including impeachment proceedings.

Senate majority leader

The chief legislative strategist and spokesperson for the majority party in the Senate.

Delegate model

A representative approach where legislators vote strictly according to their constituents' wishes.

Congressional oversight

Congress's power to monitor investigate and supervise the executive branch and federal agencies.

Earmark

Provisions in legislation that direct funds to specific projects often benefiting a particular district.

Caucuses

Groups of legislators with shared interests or characteristics that work together to influence policy.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging political favors or votes among legislators to pass legislation.

President pro tempore

A senior senator of the majority party who presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence.

Select committees

Temporary congressional committees established to investigate or address specific issues.