PE&G Unit 3: Federalism and the U.S. Constitution - Chapter 11: Congress

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, powers, leadership, committees, legislative process, and budgetary procedures of the United States Congress from Chapter 11.

Apportionment

How the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are divided among the 50 states based on population.

Malapportionment

Creating voting districts with unfairly unequal populations.

Congressional District

A geographic area whose voters elect a single representative to the House of Representatives.

"One Person, One Vote" Rule

from Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) requiring voting districts must have equal populations so no citizen's vote counts more than another's.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district borders to favor one political party (unfair shapes)

Majority-Minority District

Voting Rights Act where race/ethnicity makes up the majority (over 50%) of the voters.

Trustee

A representative who uses their own conscience and judgment to make decisions, believing voters trusted them to do what's best

Instructed-Delegate

A legislator who strictly votes according to the preferences of their constituents.

Partisan

A legislator who strictly votes along their political party’s lines.

Politico

A legislator who balances trustee, delegate, and partisan roles depending on the issue

House of Representatives Qualifications

Constitutional requirements stipulating that an elected representative must be at least $25$ years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $7$ years, and a resident of the state during the election, serving a term of $2$ years.

Senate Qualifications

Constitutional requirements stipulating that an elected senator must be at least $30$ years old, a U.S. citizen for at least $9$ years, and a legal resident of the state they represent, serving a term of $6$ years.

Incumbent

The structural advantages current officeholders have over challengers when running for re-election

Speaker of the House

Presiding leader of the House, chosen by the majority party, with significant control over legislation and committee assignments

Majority Leader

Chief floor spokespersons who guide their party’s legislative strategy and agenda

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in either chamber of Congress, whose primary duty is to maintain solidarity within the minority party and provide opposition strategy.

Whip

Party leader responsible for counting votes and maintaining party discipline among members

President Pro Tempore

High-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the Senate in the Vice President's absence

Standing Committee

A permanent legislative committee that considers bills within a specific subject area

Subcommittee

A smaller unit of a committee focused on specific sub-topics or specialized policy

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee formed by members from both the House and the Senate to resolve differences when both chambers have passed conflicting versions of the same bill.

House Rules Committee

A influential standing committee in the House that sets the terms, debate conditions, and time limits under which specific legislation will be considered on the floor.

Filibustering

Prolonged debate or stall tactic in the Senate used to delay or block a vote on a bill

Cloture

Senate procedure to end a filibuster and force a vote, requiring 60 votes

Reconciliation

A fast-track budget process in the Senate that bypasses the filibuster with a simple majority (51 votes)

Impeachment

Formal process of charging an official with misconduct (House impeaches by simple majority; Senate conducts the trial requiring a 2/3 vote to convict).

Subpoena

A legally binding order issued by a court or congressional committee requiring a person to testify or produce documents.

Authorization

Authorization creates or continues a government program/agency

Appropriation

Appropriation provides the actual funds to spend on it

Entitlement Program

Mandatory spending program that guarantees benefits to individuals meeting eligibility requirements (e.g., Social Security, Medicare)

Continuing Resolution

A temporary funding measure enacted by Congress allowing federal agencies to continue operations at the prior fiscal year's funding levels when regular appropriations bills are delayed.

Federal Government Shutdown

The cessation of non-essential federal agency operations that occurs when Congress and the President fail to enact regular budget appropriations or a continuing resolution by the start of the fiscal year on October $1$.

Fiscal year

The 12-month accounting period used by the federal government for financial planning (October 1 to September 30)