ap gov s

pork barrel spending

allocation of monies to projects within districts or states

logrolling

members of Congress trade votes to get their earmarks passed

oversight

Ability of Congress to ensure laws are being followed with original intention or to
investigate members of executive branch

Constituencies

bodies of voters in an area who elect a representative or
senator.

apportionment

process of determining the number of representatives for each
state using census data

redistricting

states redraw the boundaries of the electoral
districts

gerrymandering

the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a
specific interest or group of voters

partisan gerrymandering

the intentional use of redistricting to
benefit a specific political party

majority-minority districts

majority of voters of minority ethnicity within a district

speaker of the house

Leader of the entire House (chosen by election of House
members)
Normally member of majority party
Most powerful member
Controls House agenda and committee assignments

majority leader

leader of the majority party in a legislature, second-in-command, assists the Speaker, sets agenda

minority leader

leader of the minority party in a legislature

whip

collects information about how individual
members are planning to vote, corralling their support on key votes
and setting party strategy in Congress

senate majority leader

Head of the party with the most seats
Most powerful person in the Senate, but not as powerful as Speaker
Shapes legislative agenda

filibuster

using unlimited debate with the intention of talking a
bill to death

cloture

60 senators vote to end filibuster and proceed to action

mandatory spending

spending required by existing laws that is
“locked in” the budget

entitlement program

program that provide benefits for those who
qualify under the law, regardless of income

discretionary spending

spending for programs and policies at
the discretion of Congress and the president

budget surplus

Government spending less than government revenue

budget deficit

Government spending greater than government revenue

national debt

the debt of the national government, Over time, multiple deficits

politico role

emphasizes that Congress is a politicized
body; members of Congress balance their choices with
the interests of constituents and parties

executive branch

charged with putting the nation’s laws into effect.

Formal (or enumerated) Powers

Powers given to the president explicitly

Informal Powers

powers necessary to carry out enumerated powers

Treaty

making power, requires 2/3rd senate for ratification.

Veto

formal rejection by the president of a bill

Pocket Veto

informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of session

Executive Privilege

a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress

Signing Statement

Written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that
usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself

Executive Order

policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional
approval

Impeachment