AP US Government 2.1 - 2.3

Bicameral Legislature

A two-chamber legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress with representation based on state population and 2-year terms.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress with equal representation (2 per state) and 6-year terms.

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Created a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Gives Congress authority to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

Power of the Purse

Congress’s power to control government spending and taxation.

Advice and Consent

Senate authority to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Congressional Oversight

The process of monitoring the executive branch to ensure laws are properly implemented

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House of Representatives who sets the legislative agenda and presides over debates.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate.

President Pro Tempore

Senior senator of the majority party who presides when the Vice President is absent.

Majority Leader

Head of the majority party in each chamber who sets legislative priorities.

Minority Leader

Head of the minority party who coordinates opposition strategy.

Whips

Party officials who count votes and maintain party discipline.

Committee System

Division of legislative work into specialized committees.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees that handle specific areas of legislation.

Select Committees

Temporary committees formed for specific purposes, often investigations.

Joint Committees

Committees composed of members of both chambers. (house of reps & senate)

Conference Committee

A joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Rules Committee (House)

Determines how and when bills will be debated and voted on in the House.

Committee Chairs

Leaders of committees who set agendas and control hearings.

Discharge Petition

Procedure in the House to force a bill out of committee to the floor.

Filibuster

Senate tactic of extended debate to delay or block a vote

Cloture

A 60-vote motion in the Senate to end a filibuster.

Holds

A Senate procedure allowing a member to delay consideration of a bill or nomination.

Unanimous Consent

Agreement in the Senate to expedite proceedings by setting terms for debate.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government funding for local projects to benefit a representative’s district.

Logrolling

Trading votes between legislators to gain support for bills.

Trustee Model

Representatives use their own judgment to make decisions.

Delegate Model

Representatives vote according to their constituents’ preferences.

Politico Model

Representatives act as either trustees or delegates depending on the issue.

Partisan Model

Representatives vote primarily along party lines.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor one party or group.

Reapportionment

Redistribution of House seats among states after each census.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries within states based on reapportionment.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the “one person, one vote” principle and allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Declared racial gerrymandering unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.

Incumbency Advantage

Electoral edge enjoyed by those already in office due to visibility and resources.