GOV Vocab Legislation

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending on local projects to benefit constituents, often to gain political support.

Whip

A party leader responsible for coordinating votes and ensuring party discipline in legislative matters.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors, especially in legislative voting, where lawmakers agree to support each other's bills.

Minority Leader

The head of the party with fewer seats in either the House or Senate, leading the opposition.

Oversight

The process by which Congress monitors the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.

Senate Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and guiding party legislation.

Constituency

The voters and residents in a specific area represented by an elected official

Committee Chair

The leader of a congressional committee, responsible for setting agendas, presiding over meetings, and guiding legislation through the committee.

Apportionment

The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives among states based on population.

Discharge Petition

A tool in the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote if a majority supports it.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries based on changes in population.

House Rules Committee

A committee in the House that sets the terms for debate and amendments on bills, greatly influencing legislative procedures.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group

Committee of the Whole

House procedure where the entire chamber acts as a committee, allowing more flexible debate and amendment rules.

Partisan Gerrymandering

redrawing district lines to maximize the advantage of one political party over others.

hold

tactic where a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination.

Majority-Minority Districts

electoral districts drawn to ensure that racial or ethnic minorities have a majority.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for considering a bill, requiring all senators' consent.

Malapportionment

Unequal representation in legislative districts, often resulting from population imbalances.

Filibuster

senate tactic where a senator speaks at length to delay or block legislation.

incumbency

holding of an office or the period during which one is held.

cloture

Senate procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority to proceed.

Incumbency Advantage

electoral edge afforded to those already in office due to recognition, resources, and established networks.

veto

president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden with a two-thirds majority in both chambers

speaker of the house

presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for legislative agenda and leading the majority party.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

federal agency that assists the president in preparing the budget and overseeing federal spending.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

organization that raises and spends money to influence elections and support candidates.

Entitlement Program

Government programs providing benefits to qualified individuals regardless of need, such as Social Security.

House Majority Leader

the leader of the majority party in the House, assisting the Speaker in managing the legislative agenda.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that Congress can adjust each year, covering areas like defense and education.

budget deficit

When the government’s expenditures exceed its revenue in a fiscal year.

national debt

total amount of money that the government owes from accumulated deficits.

Delegate Role

When representatives vote according to their constituents’ preferences.

Trustee Role

When representatives use their own judgment to make legislative decisions.

Politico Role

hybrid role where representatives balance constituents’ preferences with their own judgment and party loyalty

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between political parties to pass legislation or address issues.

gridlock

situation where there is little or no progress in government due to partisan disagreements.

divided government

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

lame duck period

period after a new president or Congress is elected but before they take office, often marked by limited legislative activity.