AP Government Congress Checks and Balances Review Terms

House of  Representatives

The house of Congress in which representation is proportional to a state’s population.

bicameral legislature

A legislative body in which there are two houses.

pork barrel

The appropriation of federal spending for localized projects- usually done just to get a law passed.

Speaker of the House

Second in line to usurp the presidency, highest officer of the House of Representatives.

descriptive representation

When a representative reflects the traits and physical characteristics of their constituents.

substantive representation

When a representative conveys the interests of their constituents without matching them physically.

standing committees

A permanent committee.

conference committees

A joint committee made to decide on the final stipulations of a bill that the House and Senate do not agree on.

Lobbying

To encourage government officials (especially congressmen) to pass, kill, or alter legislation.

Senate

The house of Congress in which states have equal representation.

Gerrymandering

To draw district boundaries in a way that gives one party an advantage over another.

Majority leader

Leader of the majority party in the House or Senate.

Minority leader

Leader of the minority party in the House or Senate.

joint committee

A committee made up of members from the House and Senate.

congressional oversight

Congress’s ability to monitor the power of the president, and to make sure he carries out policy how he ought to. This is an implicit power.

Incumbents

A member of Congress who is currently holding office and running for reelection.

House Rules Committee

Sets the rules for the House’s debates such as time limits and scheduling.

Whips

A high-ranking member of each party in Congress, who keeps other members of their party in line. They count votes and negotiate to mobilize votes.

select committees

Usually impermanent committees made for a special purpose, like handling an investigation.

seniority system

The system in which longer-standing members of Congress are usually placed as chairman.

Constituents

People being represented.

Casework

Services performed by Congressman on behalf of their constituents. Things like citizenship help, interactions with federal agencies,  social security benefits, and veteran’s affairs tend to fall under this category.

credit claiming

When congressmen take credit for favorable government policies, usually for reelection.

Filibuster

The special feature within the senate in which one can simple talk a bill to death

Bill

A legal document describing a proposed law.

caucus (congressional)

Congressional members who meet to advance their common goals.

Cloture

The procedure for ending a debate in Congress and then having the members vote on it.

”marked up” bills

Bills that have been edited. These changes are suggestions to make the bill more favorable, to increase its chances of being passed.

committee chairs

Committee leaders that drive agenda within their committee.