Unit 2A: Congress

Constituency

A body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator.

Apportionment

The process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data.

Redistricting

States' redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census.

Gerrymandering

The intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters.

Partisan gerrymandering

Drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party.

Incumbency

Being already in office as opposed to running for the first time.

Logrolling

Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation.

Pork barrel spending

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states.

Oversight

Efforts by Congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments, as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Reps, chosen by an election of its members.

Majority-minority district

A district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district.

House majority leader

The person who is the second in command of the House of Reps.

Minority leader

The head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the party's members.

Malapportionment

The uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts.

Incumbency advantage

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election.

Whip

A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline.

Senate majority leader

The person who has the most power in the Senate is the head of the party with the most seats.

Filibuster

A tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation.

Cloture

A procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it.

Committee chair

Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda.

Discharge petition

A motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.

House Rules Committee

A powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor.

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.

Hold

A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill.

Unanimous consent agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill.

Veto

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections.

Delegate role

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes.

Trustee role

The idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgment.

Politico role

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties in making decisions.

Bipartisanship

Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation.

Gridlock

A slowdown or halt in Congress' ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship.

Divided government

Control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties.

Lame duck period

Period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees.

Entitlement program

Program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income.

Mandatory spending

Spending required by existing laws that is "locked in" the budget.

Discretionary spending

Spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president.