AP Gov - Congress

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts, in the US government, this would be the House of Representatives and the Senate

Caucus

An association of Congressional members created to advance a political ideology or a regional ethnic, or economic interest

Closed Rule

An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate and confines Amendments to those proposed by the committee, also know as Restrictive Rule

Cloture Rule

A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate, can break Filibusters

Conference Committees

Joint committees appointed to resolve difference in the Senate and House versions of the same bill

Conservative Coalition

An alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats, less popular as of late

Discharge Petition

A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor

Divided Government

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress can decrease productivity

Double Tracking

A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the Senate can get on with other business, hinders filibusters

Earmarks

“Hidden” Congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund a specific project or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying taxes/fees

Filibuster

An attempt to defeat a bill in the Senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the Senate from taking action on the bill

Franking Privilege

The ability of members of Congress to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage, a beloved perk for members

Incumbency

Holding a seat in the House of Representatives or the Senate

Joint Committees

Committees on which both senators and representatives serve

Majority Leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate, schedules business of the houses

Minority leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding a minority of seats in the House or the Senate

Marginal district

Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically by less than 55% of the vote

Partisan Polarization

A vote in which a majority of Democratic legislators oppose a majority of Republican legislators

Pork-Barrel Legislation 

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return, a problem to reformers

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress

Rider

Amendments on matters unrelated to a bill that are added to an important bill so that they will “ride” to passage through congress

Roll-Call Vote

A Congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering “yea: or “nay” to their names

Safe Districts

Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55% or more

Select Committees

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose

Standing Committee

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of their party in the house

Teller Vote

A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between TWO TELLERS, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second

Voice Vote

A Congressional voting procedure in which members shout “yea” or “nay”, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills

Veto

“I forbid”, the power of the President to disapprove a bill

Whip

A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what part members are thinking

President Pro-Tem

takes place of VP when they are not there in the Senate