APGOV Unit 2 (Ch. 4)

amount of senators

100

amount of representatives (house)

435

filibuster

lawmakers using extended debate to block or delay a decision (issue mainly in senate)

3 powers of the House

introduce bills that raise money for taxes, recommend impeachment, vote when electoral college is unable to elect a president

whip

a member of a certain party that makes sure party members vote according to party lines, helping to coordinate and ensure party choices

incumbent

person holding elective office

incumbency advantage

the tendency of sitting congress members to win reelection

constituency

a group of people an elected official represents (district)

constituent

an individual member of a constituency who is represented by an elected official

Apportionment

determining the number of representatives in a district or state

redistricting

states redrawing electoral districts

gerrymandering

redrawing electoral district bounds to favor a certain party or demographic

partisan gerrymandering

redrawing electoral district lines in strange shapes to undemocratically benefit a party or demographic

earmarks

directing federal funds to specific projects within districts

bicameralism

legislature divided by 2 houses (i.e. senate and House)

enumerated powers

specifically listed in the constitution

implied powers

not specifically listed in the constitution but still granted (necessary and proper clause)

Baker v. Carr

says SCOTUS can hear redistricting cases and is allowed to strike down unequal districting (one person one vote)

majority-minority districts

districts drawn so the majority in them are a minority

Shaw v. Reno

rules yes but strict scrutiny must be applied when considering constitutionality of racial gerrymandering and redistricting.

strict scrutiny

show good reason(s) why racial gerrymandering is happening

standing committee

permanent, where bills are referred

joint committee

members of both houses for special studies or investigations (i.e. Watergate)

select (special) committee

a temporary committee formed for specific purposes, often to investigate or consider particular issues

conference committee

joint committee that irons out differences between the house and senate

house rules committee

a committee that determines the rules and procedures for debate on bills in the House of Representatives