AP gov unit 5 vocab!

bill

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration and enactment.

bicameral legislature

A two-house legislature divided into two separate chambers (in the U.S., the Senate and the House of Representatives).

casework

Direct assistance provided by members of Congress to individual constituents in solving problems with federal agencies.

caucus (congressional)

An association or informal group of members of Congress created to advocate a political ideology, regional interest, or policy goal.

cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to limit debate on a bill and end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths vote (60 senators).

committee chair

The head of a standing legislative committee, traditionally selected by the majority party, who controls the committee's agenda and scheduling.

conference committee

A temporary joint committee formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.

congressional redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district boundaries within states by state legislatures following the ten-year census to reflect population shifts.

delegate role of representation

The model of representation in which an elected legislator votes strictly according to the expressed preferences of their constituents.

discharge petition

A procedure in the House of Representatives by which a majority of members (218) can force a bill out of a reluctant committee onto the floor for a vote.

trustee role of representation

The model of representation in which a legislator uses their own independent judgment and conscience to decide what is best for constituents.

filibuster

A tactic unique to the Senate where a senator delays or prevents a vote on a bill by engaging in continuous, prolonged debate.

franking privilege

The right of members of Congress to send official mail to constituents at government expense by substituting their facsimile signature for postage.

gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral district lines in an intentional way to favor one political party or group over another.

House Rules Committee

The influential House committee that determines the rules for debate, amendment limits, and scheduling of bills on the House floor.

House Appropriations Committee

The House committee responsible for passing spending legislation and allocating federal funds to government agencies.

House Ways and Means Committee

The chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives with jurisdiction over revenues, tariffs, and social security.

incumbent

An officeholder who is currently in office and running for re-election.

joint committees

Legislative committees that include members from both the House and the Senate, usually focused on joint research or administrative matters.

legislative oversight

Congress's monitoring, review, and supervision of executive agencies, programs, and policy implementation.

logrolling

An agreement or practice between legislators to vote for each other's proposed bills or legislative priorities.

majority leader

The principal ally of the Speaker of the House or the party's manager in the Senate, responsible for scheduling bills and steering party votes.

minority leader

The principal leader of the minority party in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

politico role of representation

The model of representation in which legislators act as delegates on high-visibility issues important to constituents and as trustees on complex or low-visibility issues.

pork barrel

Federal spending, projects, or grants secured by legislators primarily to bring money and jobs directly to their home districts/states.

select committee

A temporary legislative committee created for a specific purpose or investigation (e.g., investigating a scandal or crisis).

seniority system

A traditional custom in Congress where the majority party member who has served longest on a committee is automatically appointed chair.

Speaker of the House

The constitutionally mandated presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party, who holds significant political and legislative power.

standing committees

Permanent legislative committees in Congress that specialize in specific policy areas and handle bills continuously across sessions.

whips

Assistant party leaders in Congress who track vote counts, communicate party strategy, and mobilize members to vote with party leadership.

U.S. v. Lopez

Landmark Supreme Court decision ruling that Congress exceeded its constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause by passing the Gun-Free School Zones Act, reinforcing federalism and state powers.

Baker v. Carr

Landmark Supreme Court case establishing that legislative apportionment disputes are justiciable in federal court, laying the groundwork for the "one person, one vote" doctrine under the Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

Landmark Supreme Court case holding that legislative redistricting maps drawn predominantly on the basis of race are subject to strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause.