Congressional Structure, Powers, and Procedures

A comprehensive vocabulary review of U.S. congressional terms, committee roles, legislative procedures, and models of representation.

Bicameral

A two-house legislature resulting from a dispute at the Constitutional Convention between large and small states, who each desired different forms of representation.

Conference Committees

Committees created to iron out differences on a bill when it passes both houses but in slightly different forms.

Filibuster

Speaking for an extremely long time to block a nomination or let the time run out on a deadline for voting on a bill.

Logrolling

Trading votes to gain support for a bill; by agreeing to back someone else's bill, members can secure a vote in return for a bill of their own.

Rules Committee

A very powerful House committee that can easily dispose of a bill or define guidelines for debate, ensuring nothing reaches the floor unless allowed.

Gridlock

The "congestion" of opposing forces that prevents ideas from moving forward within each house and between the Congress and the president.

Seventeenth Amendment

A 1913 amendment establishing that the people of the states have the right to elect their senators.

Speaker of the House

The only House leadership position mentioned in the Constitution; recognizes members for floor speakers and comments, organizes members for conference committees, and has great influence in most matters of lawmaking.

Sponsor

The member who introduces a bill and typically assumes authorship.

Ways and Means Committee

A committee exclusive to the House that determines tax policy and is the first to outline details when proposals are put forward to raise and lower taxes.

Germane

Amendments that can only be added to a bill if they are directly related to the legislation under consideration.

Committee of the Whole

A state of operation unique to the House where rules are more relaxed than an actual committee; includes but does not require all representatives, allowing longer debate among fewer people and group voting rather than individual roll calls.

Enumerated powers

A limited number of specific powers assigned to Congress, also referred to as "expressed powers".

President Pro Tempore

The second-highest-ranking official of the U.S. Senate and third in the presidential line of succession, who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent.

Delegate Model

A representation model used by members trying to reflect the will of their constituency, especially in the House.

Joint Committees

Committees that unite members from both houses to address a long-term issue or program, mostly performing routine management and research.

Riders

Nongermane amendments often added to benefit a member's own agenda or programs, or to enhance the political chances of a bill.

Trustee Model

A representation model where representatives believe they are entrusted by their constituency to use their best judgment, regardless of how constituents may view an issue.

Gerrymandering

Illogical district lines drawn to give the advantage to one party.

Whip

The deputy leader below the floor leader who is in charge of party discipline, keeps a rough tally of votes among party members, communicates leadership views, and assures members remain in good standing and act ethically and professionally.

Caucuses

Groups of like-minded people in Congress organized to unite around a particular belief or concern.

Politico Model

A representation model that attempts to blend the delegate and trustee models, wherein lawmakers consider multiple factors and decide their action or vote based on whatever political calculations make the most sense to them.

Omnibus Bill

A proposed law that includes multiple areas of law and/or addresses multiple programs.

"Lame Duck" President

An executive who has not won reelection or who is closing in on the end of their second presidential term, highlighting the partisan divide in government.

Pork-Barrel Spending

Funds earmarked for specific purposes in a legislator's district.