ap gov unit 4

Appropriation

The act of Congress allocating a specific amount of money to a government agency or program

Advice and Consent

A power that allows senators to reccomend or reject major preidential appointees such as cabinet secretaries and federal judges.

Appropriations Committee

(Both the House and Senate) responsible for deciding how much funding is allocated to different government agencies and programs through annual spending bills

Baker vs. Carr

Helped establish the "one person-one vote" (asserts each individual's vote should carry equal weight in the electoral process) principle that greatly expanded democratic participation and the voting rights of minorities.

Bicameral

A two house legislature. Congress and the House of Representatives.

Bureaucracy

A system of government administration where a group of non-elected officials are responsible for implementing policies created by the legislative and executive branches

Casework

Casework refers to the process by which legislators, or their staff, assist individual constituents with issues or problems they are facing. Allows lawmakers to directly address the concerns and needs of the people they represent.

Caucuses

Nongvoernmental groups made up of like-minded people. Each political party has a group in each house that elect leaders, set legislative agenda, and name commitee members.

Civil Law

Regulates disputes between private parties

Closed Rule

Limits debate on a bill and prohibits amendments from being made during the floor consideration. Allows for quicker vote.

Cloture

A rule in the senate that requires a supermajority of senators to end debate and call for a vote.

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee formed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate to reconcile differences in legislation that has passed both chambers.

Constituants

Individuals or groups that reside within a specific electoral district and are represented by an elected official.

Deficit

The difference between spending and revenue in a given year. Close to a trillion dollars in 2019.

Discharge petition

Brings a bill out of a committee onto the House floor to be voted on.

Earmark

Funds that are directed to a very specific purpose at the request of a member of Congress.

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to congress by the constitution.

Filibuster

A person in the senate that is used to kill debate time. Try to stall or kill a bill simply by speaking for an extremely long time.

Finance Committee

Committee composed of members responsible for overseeing budgetary and financial matters.

Franking Privelege

Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials free of charge to them. Advantage of incumbents.

Germane

An amendment to a bill is germane if it is directly related to the topic of the bill.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines in such a way that is illogical and typically favors one party/candidate winning over the other.

Hold

A measure to stall a bill. A senator can temporarily block the consideration of a bill or nomination by notifying the leadership that they object to it

Impeachment

A power of the House to accuse a federal officer of wrongdoing.

Impoundment

Practice of withholding or delaying the expenditure of funds that have been appropriated by Congress.

Joint Committee

Unite members from the House and Senate.

Legislative oversight

The power of Congress to monitor, review, and supervise federal agencies, programs, and policies to ensure they are implemented effectively and in accordance with the law.

Legislative veto

Allows Congress to nullify an executive action taken by the President or an agency through a simple resolution

Logrolling

Congress members essentially trading votes to gain support for a bill

Mandatory Spending

Expidentures that are required by law. Includes Social Security, Meidare, medicaid, and more. Usually a large amount of budget.

Markup

A process by which a bill is altered. Occurs in conference committees and must pass both houses before going to the president.

Open Rule

Allows for unlimited debate.

Patronage

Refers to the practice of providing government jobs, contracts, or other benefits to individuals in exchange for their political support or loyalty.

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Political Appointees

Positions in government that are filled by individuals chosen by elected officials, rather than through a competitive hiring process.

Pork Barrel

Refers to the practice in which lawmakers allocate government funds for local projects, primarily to benefit their constituents and secure political support.

Quorum

A quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present for a legislative or governing body to conduct official business and take binding votes.

Reapportionment

A redistribution of US congressional sets according to changes in the census (population count).

Redistricting

The reshaping of congressional districts every 10 years. Must reflect population changes.

Rider

Additional amendments that ride onto an often non-germane/unrelated bill. Often added to benefit a member's own agenda.

Nongermane amendment.

Additional amendments that ride onto an often unrelated bill. Often added to benefit a member's own agenda.

Rules Committee

Can easily dispose of a bill and define the guidelines for debate. Acts as a traffic cop on the House floor. Nothing goes to the floor unless allowed by this committee.

Senatorial Courtesy

Long-standing political tradition in the United States whereby senators defer to the preferences of their colleagues when it comes to judicial nominations within their home states.

Seniority System

Member of Congress with the most years of service in a particular committee or chamber holds preferential treatment. Holds leadership positions and has significant influence.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the majority party. At the top of the House of Representatives. Recognizes members for speaking, organizes members for congerence committees and has great influence in lawmaking.

Spoils System

The practice where a political party, after winning an election, rewards its supporters with government jobs and positions

Standing Committees

Permanent committees focused on a particular subject under the rules of each house. Become experts in their topic.

Sunset Laws

Automatically terminate or 'sunset' a program, agency, or law after a specific date or period of time, unless it is explicitly renewed by the legislature.

Ways and Means Committee

Exclusive to the House.Determiens tax policy. First to outline details when proposals are put forward to raise or lower income taxes.

Whistleblower

Individuals who expose information or activities within an organization that they believe are illegal, unethical, or not in the public interest.