AP U.S. Government: Congress Powers, Committees, and Procedures

Accountability (of members)

Elected representatives must answer to voters for their actions and decisions, especially through elections.

Advice and consent

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments, such as judges and Cabinet members, and ratify treaties by a two-thirds vote of senators present.

Appropriations Committee

A congressional committee that decides how federal funds are allocated to government programs and agencies.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers; the U.S. Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Budget

A financial plan estimating government revenue and spending, including proposed allocations of federal funds.

Caucus (Congress, not elections)

A meeting of members of Congress who share a party, interest, or policy goal to discuss issues and coordinate action.

Casework/constituent service

Assistance members of Congress provide to constituents dealing with federal agencies or government programs.

Chair (committee chair)

The member who leads a congressional committee, sets its agenda, oversees hearings, and guides its work on legislation.

Closed rule

A House rule that prohibits amendments to a bill during floor debate and generally limits debate.

Cloture

A Senate procedure requiring three-fifths of senators, usually 60 of 100, to end most filibusters and limit debate.

Commerce Clause

A constitutional provision giving Congress power to regulate interstate commerce, foreign commerce, and commerce with Native American tribes.

Committee of the Whole

A procedure in which the House operates as a single large committee to consider legislation more efficiently, with different procedural rules.

Conference committee

A temporary committee of House and Senate members that works out differences between their versions of a bill.

Constituent

A person represented by an elected official who lives in that official's district or state.

Delegate (as in member role)

A representative who votes according to constituents' preferences, even if those preferences differ from the representative's own views.

Discharge petitions

A House procedure allowing 218 members to force a bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

Discretionary spending

Federal spending set through annual appropriations decisions by Congress, such as spending on defense and education programs.

Divided government

A situation in which different political parties control the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress.

Entitlements

Government benefits that eligible individuals have a legal right to receive, such as Social Security and Medicare; spending generally depends on eligibility and participation.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution for the federal government, including Congress's powers in Article I, Section 8.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic in which senators prolong debate or threaten extended debate to delay or block a vote on legislation or other matters.

Franking privilege

The ability of members of Congress to send official mail to constituents without paying ordinary postage, subject to rules.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a political party or group.

Gridlock

A situation in which political disagreements or institutional conflict prevent government from passing laws or taking action.

Hearings

Committee meetings where members of Congress gather testimony and information from witnesses to investigate issues or consider legislation.

Holds

Informal Senate requests by senators to delay action on a measure or nomination, often to negotiate or express opposition.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress, with 435 voting members apportioned among states by population; members serve two-year terms, and revenue bills must originate here.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from enumerated powers through the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Incumbents

Current officeholders running for reelection who often benefit from name recognition, fundraising networks, and experience.

Incumbency advantage

The benefits current officeholders have when seeking reelection, such as name recognition, constituent service, and fundraising advantages.

Joint committees

Congressional committees containing members of both the House and Senate that study issues or perform administrative tasks; they generally do not report legislation.

Majority Party

The political party holding more than half the seats in a chamber, giving it greater influence over leadership, committees, and the legislative agenda.

Majority and minority leaders (House and Senate)

Party leaders who organize their members, coordinate legislative strategy, build support for bills, and represent their parties in each chamber.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by existing laws, mainly for entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare, rather than decided annually through appropriations.

Mark up

The process in which a congressional committee debates, amends, and revises a bill before deciding whether to advance it.

Minority Party

The political party with fewer seats than the majority party in a legislative chamber; it can still influence debate, oversight, and negotiations.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

The constitutional clause allowing Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers, providing the basis for implied powers.

Open rule

A House rule allowing members to offer germane amendments to a bill during floor consideration, subject to the rule's procedures.

Override (Veto)

Congress's power to enact a bill despite a president's veto by obtaining a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

Oversight

Congress's monitoring of the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure laws are implemented properly and public funds are used appropriately.

Partisan Voting

Voting based largely on political party affiliation and party positions rather than crossing party lines.

Partisanship

Strong identification with or loyalty to a political party that influences political beliefs, behavior, and decisions.

Polarization

The growing ideological distance between political parties, often making compromise and bipartisan cooperation more difficult.

Politico (as in member role)

A representative who sometimes follows constituents' wishes and sometimes uses personal judgment, depending on the issue.

Pork/pork barreling (earmarks)

Government spending directed toward specific local projects or a legislator's district or state to benefit constituents; earmarks designate funds for particular purposes.

"Power of the purse"

Congress's authority to tax, borrow, and control government spending, including appropriating funds and overseeing their use.

President Pro Tempore

The senator who presides over the Senate when the vice president is absent; traditionally a senior member of the majority party and third in the presidential line of succession.

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for a legislative chamber to conduct official business; in Congress, a majority is generally required.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of House seats among states after the census, based on changes in population.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, usually after the census, to account for population changes.

Republicanism

The principle that citizens govern indirectly by electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Revenue Bills

Bills intended to raise government revenue, especially through taxes; the Constitution requires them to originate in the House of Representatives.

Riders

Additional provisions attached to a bill, sometimes unrelated to its main subject, to increase the chance they become law.

Rules Committee (House)

A powerful House committee that determines the terms of debate on many bills, including how long debate lasts and whether amendments are allowed.

Select committees

Temporary or specialized congressional committees created to investigate specific issues or perform particular tasks; they generally do not write legislation for passage.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, consisting of 100 senators, two per state; senators serve six-year terms, and the Senate confirms appointments, ratifies treaties, and tries impeachments.

Shaw v. Reno

A 1993 Supreme Court case ruling that race-based congressional redistricting can violate the Equal Protection Clause if race is the predominant factor and the districting fails strict scrutiny.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and top leader of the House, chosen by House members; the Speaker influences the legislative agenda, committee assignments, and party strategy.

Standing committees

Permanent congressional committees specializing in policy areas that review bills, hold hearings, conduct oversight, and often revise legislation.

Trustee (as in member role)

A representative who uses personal judgment and expertise to make decisions they believe are best for the public, even when constituents disagree.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement in the Senate that allows an action to proceed without objection from any senator, often speeding up business or setting debate limits.

Ways and Means Committee

A powerful House committee with jurisdiction over taxation, tariffs, and major revenue-related programs, including Social Security and Medicare.

Whips (majority and minority, both houses)

Party officials who count votes, communicate leadership positions, encourage party unity, and help secure support for legislation.