Untitled Flashcards Set

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress, represents districts. 2 year terms, at least 25, 7 years of citizenship required, and members are based on state population.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress, represents entire states (2 per state). 6 year terms for senators, at least 30, 9 years of citizenship, resident of state, and elected by popular vote.

Constituency

Body of voters electing a representative or senator.

Lawmaking

Primary function of Congress to create legislation.

Budgeting

Process of allocating funds for government programs.

Oversight

Congress's monitoring of executive branch activities.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funds directed to local projects for political gain.

Logrolling

Vote trading among Congress members for mutual benefit.

Earmarks

Funds allocated for specific projects in districts.

Apportionment

Determining number of representatives per state via census.

Redistricting

Redrawing electoral district boundaries after census.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

Majority-minority District

District where minority ethnicity holds electoral majority.

Malapportionment

Uneven population distribution among legislative districts.

Incumbency

Holding office, advantageous for re-election.

Incumbency Advantage

Benefits held by current officeholders in elections.

Baker v. Carr

Established 'one man, one vote' principle.

Shaw v. Reno

Overturned racially biased district drawing.

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House of Representatives.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations raising funds for political candidates.

House Majority Leader

Second in command in the House of Representatives.

Whips

Members of congress chosen by their party ensuring party discipline and unity.

Committee Chairs

Leaders of congressional committees directing agendas.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees where most congressional work occurs.

Joint Committees

Committees with members from both houses.

Conference Committees

Temporary committees resolving bill differences between houses.

Select/Special Committees

Temporary committees investigating specific issues.

Discharge Petition

Motion to bring a bill out of committee.

House Rules Committee

Determines debate rules for bills in the House.

Filibuster

Senate tactic delaying legislation through prolonged debate.

Cloture

Procedure to end debate in the Senate as long as 60 or more senators agree.

Veto

President's power to reject legislation.

Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

The executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities.

Entitlement Programs

Benefits provided regardless of income qualifications.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by existing laws that is 'locked in' budget.

Discretionary Spending

Spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president.

Budget Surplus

The amount of money remaining when the government takes more than they can spend.

Budget Deficit

When the government spends more than it earns.

National Debt

Total money owed by the federal government.

Delegate Role

Congress members act according to constituents' wishes.

Trustee Role

Members make decisions based on their judgment.

Politico Role

Balancing constituents' interests with party decisions.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between parties to pass legislation.

Gridlock

Inability to legislate due to partisan divisions.

Divided Government

Control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split.

Lame Duck Period

Period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill.

Hold

A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill.

Committee of the Whole

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members.