AP GOV unit 2 congress

AP gov unit 2 vocab about congress

Bicameralism

The principle of having a two-chamber legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, designed to balance representation and provide checks within the legislative branch.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers explicitly granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, including the power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, and declare war.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing Congress to carry out its enumerated responsibilities effectively.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the Elastic Clause, this constitutional provision grants Congress the authority to make laws 'necessary and proper' for executing its enumerated powers.

Commerce Clause

Constitutional provision giving Congress the power to regulate trade between states, which has been broadly interpreted to expand federal authority over economic activities.

Filibuster

A Senate procedure allowing unlimited debate to delay or prevent a vote on legislation, requiring a three-fifths majority (60 votes) to invoke cloture and end debate.

Cloture

A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster and proceed to a final vote on legislation or nominations.

Committee System

The organizational structure dividing legislative work among specialized committees that review, modify, and recommend action on proposed legislation.

Markup

The process by which committees review and revise bills line-by-line, making amendments and changes before reporting them to the full chamber.

Discharge Petition

A House procedure requiring 218 signatures to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration, bypassing committee leadership.

Rules Committee

Known as the 'traffic cop' of the House, this committee determines the rules for floor debate, including time limits and amendment procedures for most legislation.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure that allows for more flexible debate rules and a lower quorum requirement when considering amendments to legislation.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party and serving as both institutional leader and partisan figure.

Majority Leader

The second-ranking member of the majority party in each chamber, responsible for scheduling legislation and coordinating party strategy.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party in each chamber, responsible for organizing opposition and presenting alternative policy positions.

Whips

Party officials responsible for counting votes, persuading members to support party positions, and ensuring party discipline during important votes.

President Pro Tempore

The ceremonial presiding officer of the Senate, typically the longest-serving member of the majority party, who serves in the Vice President's absence.

Apportionment

The process of distributing the 435 House seats among the 50 states based on population as determined by the decennial census.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries within states, typically conducted every ten years following the census.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group, often creating oddly shaped districts to achieve partisan advantage.

Incumbent Advantage

The electoral benefits enjoyed by current officeholders, including name recognition, fundraising advantages, and constituent services.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail to constituents without paying postage, facilitating official communication with voters.

House Appropriations Committee

Controls federal spending by reviewing and modifying the president's budget requests, often called the 'power of the purse' committee.

House Ways and Means Committee

Has jurisdiction over taxation, tariffs, and some social programs like Social Security, making it one of the most influential committees.

House Rules Committee

Determines the rules governing floor debate for most legislation, controlling the flow of bills and amendment processes.

House Judiciary Committee

Handles constitutional issues, federal courts, immigration, and impeachment proceedings, serving as a key oversight body.

House Energy and Commerce Committee

Oversees energy policy, telecommunications, consumer protection, and health care, covering approximately 40 percent of House business.

House Financial Services Committee

Regulates banking, insurance, housing, and securities industries, playing a crucial role in economic policy.

House Foreign Affairs Committee

Manages foreign policy legislation, international relations, and diplomatic affairs, working closely with the executive branch.

Senate Appropriations Committee

Partners with the House Appropriations Committee to control federal spending and budget allocations across government agencies.

Senate Finance Committee

The Senate counterpart to House Ways and Means, handling taxation, international trade, and social insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

Senate Judiciary Committee

Reviews federal judicial nominations, constitutional amendments, and criminal justice issues, serving as a critical confirmation body.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Oversees treaties, diplomatic nominations, and foreign policy, playing a unique role due to the Senate's treaty ratification power.

Senate Armed Services Committee

Manages defense policy, military operations, and Pentagon oversight, ensuring national security preparedness.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Regulates financial institutions, housing policy, and urban development, addressing economic stability concerns.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee

Covers education policy, workplace safety, and public health issues, influencing social welfare legislation.

Power of the Purse

Congress's constitutional authority to control government spending and taxation, serving as a fundamental check on executive power.

Oversight Function

Congress's responsibility to monitor and investigate executive branch agencies and programs to ensure proper implementation of federal laws.

Confirmation Power

The Senate's exclusive authority to approve presidential nominations for federal judges, cabinet members, and other high-level government positions.

Impeachment

The House's power to formally accuse federal officials of wrongdoing, followed by a Senate trial to determine removal from public office.

Legislative Veto

A now-unconstitutional practice where Congress attempted to overturn executive actions without passing new legislation through both chambers and presidential approval.

Log Rolling

The practice of trading votes between legislators, where members agree to support each other's bills or amendments in exchange for reciprocal support on their own priorities.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending on localized projects that primarily benefit a legislator's home district or state, often included in larger bills to secure political support.

Discretionary Spending

Federal expenditures that Congress must approve annually through the appropriations process, as opposed to mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Trustee Model of Representation

A theory where elected officials use their own judgment and expertise to make decisions they believe are in the best interest of their constituents, even if those decisions are unpopular.

Delegate Model of Representation

A theory where elected officials act as direct agents of their constituents, voting according to the expressed wishes of the people they represent.

Politico Model of Representation

A hybrid approach where legislators act as trustees on complex issues requiring expertise while serving as delegates on issues where constituent opinion is clear and strong.

Divided Government

A situation where different political parties control the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress, often leading to increased gridlock and the need for bipartisan compromise.