AP Gov Unit 2: Chapter 4

made for AP Gov 25-26

Pork Barreling

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

Logrolling

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

Earmarks

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

Oversight

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

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.

Constituents

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

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.

Redistricting

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

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district lines to favor a party or group.

Partisan Gerrymandering

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

Racial and Ethnic Gerrymandering

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

Majority-minority districts

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

Baker v Carr

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

One Person One Vote

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

Malapportionment

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

Shaw v Reno

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

Incumbency

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

Incumbency Advantage

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

Speaker of the House

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

Political Action Committee

An organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns.

House Majority Leader

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

Whip

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

Minority Leader

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

Senate Majority Leader

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

What is the Committee System in Congress?

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

What is a Discharge Petition?

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

What does the House Rules Committee do?

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

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.

What is a Hold in the Senate?

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

What is a Unanimous Consent Agreement?

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

What is a Filibuster?

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

What is Cloture?

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

What are Entitlement Programs?

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

What is Mandatory Spending?

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

What is Discretionary Spending?

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

What is a Budget Surplus?

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

What is a Budget Deficit?

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

What is National Debt?

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

What is Social Insurance Public Policy?

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

What does the Delegate Role in Congress entail?

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

What are Trustees in Congress?

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

What is the Politico Role in Congress?

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

What is Bipartisanship?

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

What is Gridlock in the political context?

A stalemate where political divisions prevent laws from passing.

What does Divided Government refer to?

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

What is a Lame Duck Period?

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

What is the Affordable Care Act?

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

Packing

Isolating minorities in a district.

Cracking

Dividing minorities across many districts.

Hijacking

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

Kidnapping

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

Conference Committee

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

Standing committee

Permanent and specialized committees.

Joint committee

A committee made up of members of both Houses.

Select committee

Temporary committees created in each House for a special reason.

Reapportionment

The reallocation of seats after each census (apportionment).

Appropriation

Laws that provide actual funding to federal programs and agencies.

Casework

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

Vice President

President of the Senate

President Pro Tempore

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

Committee chairs

Always from the majority party and plans strategy.

Advice and Consent

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

Power of the Purse

Congress’s authority over taxation and spending decisions.

Polarization

The growing ideological divide between parties, leaving fewer moderates.

Equal Protection Clause (14th amendment)

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