AP Gov Unit 2: Chapter 4

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65 Terms

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Pork Barreling

The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions in a congressional district.

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Logrolling

An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other’s bills.

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Earmarks

Provisions in the legislation that direct funds to specific projects or programs, typically at the request of a member of Congress.

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Oversight

The essential function through which legislators determine whether current laws and appropriations are achieving the intended results.

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Checks and Balances

Checks the executive branch and the powers one house of Congress holds to limit the other, such as the House impeaching and the Senate trying impeachment cases.

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Constituents

The people who live in a member of Congress’s district or state and whom they represent.

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Apportionment

The process of dividing the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the 50 states based on population changes recorded in the decennial census.

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Redistricting

The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to reflect changes in population and ensure fair representation.

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Gerrymandering

Manipulating district lines to favor a party or group.

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Partisan Gerrymandering

Drawing of the district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party.

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Racial and Ethnic Gerrymandering

Drawing districts where race is the dominant factor shaping the map.

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Majority-minority districts

An electoral district, in which the majority of the constituents in the district are racial or ethnic minorities.

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Baker v Carr

It allowed federal courts to hear redistricting disputes under the Equal Protection Clause, establishing 'one person, one vote.'

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One Person One Vote

A principle that asserts each individual’s vote should carry equal weight in the electoral process, ensuring fairness and equality.

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Malapportionment

The unequal distribution of voters among legislative districts, which can be caused by flawed redistricting or population shifts.

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Shaw v Reno

That race cannot be the predominant factor in drawing districts; certain racial gerrymanders violate equal protection.

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Incumbency

Those already holding office, who usually win congressional elections due to voter familiarity.

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Incumbency Advantage

Advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election.

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Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and top leader of the House who controls the agenda and key assignments.

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Political Action Committee

An organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns.

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House Majority Leader

The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives.

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Whip

Party members who count votes and rally colleagues to support party positions.

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Minority Leader

The top leader of the minority party, coordinating strategy and opposition.

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Senate Majority Leader

The person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seats.

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What is the Committee System in Congress?

The organizational structure within the U.S. Congress that divides the legislative workload among smaller, specialized groups.

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What is a Discharge Petition?

A House motion that forces a bill out of committee and onto the floor if a majority signs.

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What does the House Rules Committee do?

It reviews all bills coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

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What is the Committee of the Whole?

A committee of the House on which all Representatives serve for the consideration of measures from the Union Calendar.

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What is a Hold in the Senate?

An informal Senate practice where a senator signals an objection to moving a bill or nomination.

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What is a Unanimous Consent Agreement?

A Senate agreement that speeds up proceedings if no senator objects.

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What is a Filibuster?

A Senate tactic to delay or block a vote by extending debate.

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What is Cloture?

A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end debate and move to a vote.

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What are Entitlement Programs?

Programs that provide benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income.

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What is Mandatory Spending?

Spending required by existing laws that is locked in the budget.

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What is Discretionary Spending?

Spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president.

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What is a Budget Surplus?

The amount of money by which a government's revenue exceeds its expenditures over a specific period.

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What is a Budget Deficit?

When a government or organization spends more money than it earns.

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What is National Debt?

The total amount of money a government owes because it has borrowed to cover past budget deficits.

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What is Social Insurance Public Policy?

A government program that helps people by providing money or services when they face certain needs.

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What does the Delegate Role in Congress entail?

A representation style where a lawmaker votes the way most constituents want, regardless of personal views.

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What are Trustees in Congress?

A representation style where a lawmaker votes based on personal judgment about what is best.

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What is the Politico Role in Congress?

A hybrid approach where lawmakers switch between trustee and delegate roles depending on the issue.

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What is Bipartisanship?

Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation.

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What is Gridlock in the political context?

A stalemate where political divisions prevent laws from passing.

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What does Divided Government refer to?

When one party controls the presidency and the other controls one or both chambers of Congress.

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What is a Lame Duck Period?

A period where presidents near the end of their term have reduced influence.

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What is the Affordable Care Act?

A law that helps more people get health insurance and makes healthcare more affordable.

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Packing

Isolating minorities in a district.

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Cracking

Dividing minorities across many districts.

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Hijacking

Redrawing two districts in a way that forces two incumbents to face each other in a single district.

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Kidnapping

Moving an incumbent’s home into another area after redistricting.

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Conference Committee

Each House’s version of a bill to this committee which comes from the committed of each house that wrote the bill.

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Standing committee

Permanent and specialized committees.

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Joint committee

A committee made up of members of both Houses.

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Select committee

Temporary committees created in each House for a special reason.

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Reapportionment

The reallocation of seats after each census (apportionment).

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Appropriation

Laws that provide actual funding to federal programs and agencies.

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Casework

The services that members of Congress provide to their constituents to help them resolve issues.

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Vice President

President of the Senate

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President Pro Tempore

A senior majority-party senator who presides when the Vice President is absent.

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Committee chairs

Always from the majority party and plans strategy.

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Advice and Consent

The Senate’s power to confirm presidential appointments and approve treaties.

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Power of the Purse

Congress’s authority over taxation and spending decisions.

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Polarization

The growing ideological divide between parties, leaving fewer moderates.

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Equal Protection Clause (14th amendment)

A constitutional guarantee that states must treat people equally under the law.