AP Gov - Congressional Vocab Terms

Advice and Consent Power

when the Senate has the authority/power to approve/reject presidential appointments/treaties

Appropriations

laws passed by Congress to allocate money for specific federal govt. departments/agencies/programs/etc.

Approval Power

refers to the Senate’s authority/power to approve presidential appointments/treaties

Casework

when Congress members assist citizens encountering problems with federal agencies

Caucus (general)

a group of Congress members sharing common goals/interests; also refers to party meetings held to choose leaders/policies

Closed Rule

a procedural rule in the HOR that does not allow any amendments to a bill during debate

Cloture Vote

when needing to end a filibuster in the Senate; requires 60 votes to pass

Conference Committee

A temporary, joint body formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congressional Oversight

Congress’s authority to monitor and investigate the executive branch to ensure laws are properly implemented.

Congressional Subcommittee

Smaller units within congressional committees that handle specific issues and legislation in detail.

Delegate Model

A model of representation where legislators vote based on the preferences of their constituents.

Discharge Petition

A procedure in the House to bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote without the committee's approval (requires 218 signatures).

Divided Government

When different political parties control the presidency and one or both houses of Congress

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator speaks at length to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Germane Rule

A House rule requiring that amendments to a bill be relevant or “germane” to the topic of the bill.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing district boundaries in a way that gives an advantage to one political party.

Gridlock

When there is political stalemate, and little or no legislative progress is made, often due to divided government.

House Ways and Means Committee

The House committee responsible for taxation, tariffs, and other revenue-raising measures.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body brings charges against a government official; the House impeaches, the Senate holds the trial.

Joint Committee

A committee made up of members from both the House and Senate, usually for advisory or administrative purposes.

Logrolling

When legislators trade votes to gain support for their proposals.

Majority Leaders

The head of the majority party in either the House or Senate; in the Senate, they manage floor debates and legislative priorities.

Majority Party Power

The majority party controls key leadership roles, sets the legislative agenda, and has greater influence over lawmaking.

Majority Whip

A party leader who ensures party discipline, counts votes, and persuades members to vote along party lines.

Minority Leaders

The head of the minority party in either the House or Senate.

Minority Whip

Assists the minority leader by keeping party members informed and unified in voting.

Open Rule

A House rule that allows for unlimited amendments to a bill on the floor.

Pork Barrel

Government spending that benefits a specific district or constituency, often to win political favor.

Power of the Purse

Congress’s constitutional authority to control federal spending and taxation.

Quorum

The minimum number of members needed to conduct business in a legislative body.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes from the census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries to reflect population changes and maintain equal representation.

Revenue Bills

Bills that deal with taxes or government income; must originate in the House of Representatives.

Roll-Call Vote

A voting method in which each legislator's vote is recorded by name.

Select Committee

A temporary committee created for a specific purpose, often to conduct an investigation.

Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate committee that holds hearings on judicial appointments and oversees the Department of Justice.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives; leads House business and is second in line for presidential succession.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress that handles bills and issues related to specific policy areas, such as agriculture, education, or foreign affairs. These committees review legislation, hold hearings, and oversee federal agencies within their jurisdiction

Trustee Model

A model of representation in which elected officials use their own judgment and conscience to make decisions, even if those decisions might go against the views of their constituents