EASY AP GOV 2.1-2.3

Bicameral Legislature

A lawmaking body made up of two parts (House of Representatives and Senate).

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress; number of members depends on a state’s population.

Senate

The upper house of Congress; every state has 2 senators (100 total).

Constituents

The people a member of Congress represents.

Apportionment

Dividing the 435 seats in the House among the states based on population.

Reapportionment

Reassigning seats in the House after every 10 years census.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district lines in a state after reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

Changing district lines to help one political party.

Enumerated Powers

Powers clearly listed in the Constitution for Congress (like taxing or declaring war).

Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated but allowed through the “Necessary and Proper” clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its powers.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States; breaks ties in the Senate.

President Pro Tempore

The senator who leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

Committees – Smaller groups in Congress that handle specific topics (like defense or education).

Smaller groups in Congress that handle specific topics (like defense or education).

Standing Committee

A permanent committee that handles bills about one main topic.

Select Committee

A temporary committee created for a special purpose.

Joint Committee

Includes members of both the House and Senate.

Conference Committee

A group that fixes differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Bill

A proposed law being considered by Congress.

Law

A bill that has been passed by Congress and signed by the president.

Power of the Purse

Congress’s power to control government spending and taxes.

Oversight

Congress’s power to watch over and check the executive branch.

Advice and Consent

The Senate’s power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Impeachment

The process to charge and possibly remove a government official from office.

Caucus

A group of members of Congress with shared goals or interests.

Trustee Model

When members of Congress vote based on what they think is best for the country, not just their voters.

Delegate Model

When members of Congress vote how their voters want them to.

Politico Model

A mix of the trustee and delegate models; depends on the issue.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to one political party.

Divided Government

When one party controls Congress and the other controls the presidency.

Gridlock

When government can’t get things done because of political disagreements.

Logrolling

When lawmakers agree to support each other’s bills; back scratching

Bargaining and Negotiation

How lawmakers work together to pass bills.

Pork Barrel Spending

Money added to bills for local projects to help a member’s district.

Casework

Help that members of Congress give to their constituents with government problems.