Unit 2.1-Unit 2.3 Congress Quiz Study Set

Advise and Consent

the power of the senate to approve or disapprove of any of the president's appointments or treaties

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Caucuses

A closed meeting of a political or legislative group to choose candidates for office or to decide issues of policy

coalitions

Individuals and/or groups that have common interests and perspectives

Enumerated/Expressed/Delegated Powers

Clear powers granted directly to the national government by Article 1 section 8 of the Constitution such as tax, coin money, declare war, regulate interstate commerce, raise a military among others.

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)

Allows Congress to "make all laws" that appear "necessary and proper" to implement its expressed powers. Has allowed congress to expand it's powers.

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

Power of the Purse

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money

Senate

the upper house of Congress, consisting of two representatives from each state

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)

War Powers Act of 1973

President can send troops immediately, but must report to Congress and power is limited to 60 days.

cloture rule

A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate. Designed to prevent "talking a bill to death" by filibuster. For a bill to pass in the Senate, three-fifths of the entire Senate membership must vote for it.

Committee of the Whole

consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

conference committee

Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

deficit

the difference between tax revenue and government spending when government spending exceeds tax revenue

discharge petition

a motion to force a bill to the House floor that has been held up in committee

discretionary spending

spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president

Filibuster

A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

germane

amendments to a bill that are directly related to the legislation

hold

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.

joint committee

A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

mandatory spending

spending on certain programs that is mandated, or required, by existing law such as social security, medicare, medicaid

Omnibus Bill

Includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs. Sometimes called Christmas Tree bills.

Pork Barrel Spending (earmarks)

legislative funding for unnecessary projects that favor the district of a particular legislator

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States is the President of the Senate, the Senate's presiding officer. The VP can break tie votes.

President Pro Tempore

a high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the US Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Rider

A provision attached to a bill - to which it may or may not be related - in order to secure its passage or defeat.

Rules Committee

A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.

select committee

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.

Senate Majority Leader

Legislative leader selected by the majority party in the Senate who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives, formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party. Second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

sponsor

a member of Congress who introduces a bill

Unanimous consent

an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation

Ways and Means Committee

Powerful house committee that handles tax bills

Whip

a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking. This person communicates view of leadership to party members and will occasionally strong-arm party members to vote with the party.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

"One man, one vote." Ordered state legislative districts to be as near equal as possible in population when redistricting.

Delegate Model

The view that an elected represent should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.

gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

gridlock

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

lame duck

A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection

One person, one vote principle

The rule that, under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, legislative voting districts must be the same in population size.

politico model

Legislators should follow their own judgment (that is, act like a trustee) until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, at which point they should follow the dictates of constituents

racial gerrymandering

The drawing of election districts so as to ensure that members of a certain race are a minority in the district; ruled unconstitutional in Gomillion v. Lightfoot (1960).

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

swing district

a district where no single candidate or party has overwhelming support

trustee model

Legislators should consider the will of the people but act in ways that they believe are best for the long-term interest of the nation

Redistricting

The drawing of new electoral district boundary lines in response to population changes.