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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.