congress vocabulary

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers in the U.S., the House of Representatives and the Senate

Filibuster

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

Holds

An informal Senate practice where a senator prevents a bill or nomination from reaching the floor

Unanimous consent

A Senate agreement that allows action to proceed as long as no senator objects

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House and the most powerful House leader, elected by House members

Majority leader

The leader of the majority party who helps schedule and guide legislation

Minority leader

The leader of the minority party who organizes opposition to the majority

Whip

A party leader who counts votes and pressures members to support the party’s position

Party polarization

The growing ideological divide between political parties, reducing compromise

Caucus (Congressional)

A group of members of Congress who share common policy goals or party affiliation

Standing committees

Permanent congressional committees that focus on specific policy areas

Select committees

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose, often investigative

Joint committees

Committees made up of members of both the House and Senate

Conference committees

Temporary committees formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill

Legislative oversight

Congress’s power to monitor and supervise the executive branch

Divided government

When the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress are controlled by different parties

Unified government

When the presidency and both chambers of Congress are controlled by the same party

Earmarks

Provisions in legislation that direct spending to specific projects or locations

Discharge petition

A petition signed by a majority of House members to force a bill out of committee

House Rules Committee

A powerful House committee that sets the rules for debate on bills

Closed rule

A rule that limits or prohibits amendments during House debate

Open rule

A rule that allows amendments during House debate

Restrictive rule

A rule that allows some amendments but limits others

Riders

Provisions added to a bill that are unrelated to its main purpose

Cloture rule

A Senate procedure that ends debate and a filibuster with a 3/5 vote

Pork-barrel legislation

Government spending designed to benefit a specific district or state

Franking privilege

The ability of members of Congress to send mail to constituents without paying postage