AP Government Vocabulary Review

A collection of important vocabulary terms related to American Government, specifically focusing on legislative processes and political roles.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Funding added to bills by Congress for local projects to benefit specific areas.

Log rolling

A practice where lawmakers support each other’s bills in exchange for mutual benefits.

Oversight

Congress's authority to monitor and review the actions of the executive branch and federal agencies.

Constituency

The group of people that an elected official represents.

Apportionment

The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives based on population.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional district lines following the census.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor one political party over another.

Incumbency

The advantage held by an elected official running for re-election due to name recognition and familiarity.

Speaker of the House

The leading officer of the House of Representatives who oversees debates.

Whip

A party leader responsible for ensuring party discipline and counting votes.

Minority Leader

The head of the smaller party in either the House or Senate.

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful member of the Senate who influences the legislative agenda.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay a vote by prolonged speaking.

Veto

The presidential power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Mandatory Spending

Government expenditures that are required by law, such as social security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Allocations that Congress can adjust each year, including military and education expenses.

Delegate Role

When lawmakers vote according to the preferences of their constituents.

Trustee Role

When lawmakers make decisions based on their own judgment rather than direct constituent influence.

Political Role

When lawmakers balance public opinion and party loyalty in their decision-making.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between members of different political parties.

Gridlock

A situation where Congress is unable to pass legislation due to conflict.

Divided Government

A scenario where different political parties control the presidency and the legislative branches.

Lame Duck Period

The time following an election when the outgoing president or elected official still holds office.

How do the House of Representatives and the Senate differ in their representation of the population?

The House is designed to represent the population based on numbers, while the Senate is designed to represent states equally, with two senators per state.

What are some enumerated powers of Congress?

Passing a federal budget, raising revenue, coining money, declaring war, and maintaining the armed forces.

What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?

A clause in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8) that grants Congress the power to make all laws "necessary and proper" for carrying into execution the enumerated powers. This clause allows Congress to enact legislation addressing a wide range of issues.

What is the primary role of committees in both the House and Senate?

To conduct hearings and debate bills under consideration, playing a crucial role in the policy-making process.

Who serves as the President of the Senate?

The Vice President of the United States.

What is Cloture?

A procedure by which a supermajority (usually three-fifths or 60 members) of the Senate can limit debate on a bill and overcome a filibuster.

What is a "Hold" in the Senate?

A procedural tactic used by a senator to prevent a bill or nomination from reaching the floor for a vote, often to negotiate changes to the bill or express opposition.

What is "Unanimous Consent" in the Senate?

An agreement by all senators to set aside a specified rule of procedure, often used to expedite proceedings, but any single senator can object and prevent it.

What is the role of the House Rules Committee?

A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate of each bill, including whether amendments will be allowed, before it comes to the full House for a vote.

What is the Committee of the Whole (in the House)?

A parliamentary device used in the House of Representatives to facilitate the quicker consideration of complex bills by allowing a lower quorum and speeding up the amendment process.

What is a Discharge Petition in the House?

A procedural maneuver in the House of Representatives that allows a majority of members (218) to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote, bypassing the committee chair.

What is the Senate's role in treaty ratification?

The Senate has the sole power to ratify treaties negotiated by the President, with a two-thirds (\frac{2}{3}) vote required.

What is the Senate's confirmation role?

The Senate has the sole power to confirm presidential appointments, such as cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and federal judges, by a majority vote.

How do ideological divisions affect congressional effectiveness?

Significant differences in political ideologies among members of Congress can lead to legislative gridlock and make negotiation and compromise difficult.

What was the significance of Baker v. Carr (1962)?

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled federal courts have jurisdiction to hear redistricting cases, opening the door to equal protection challenges to legislative apportionment.

What is the "one-person, one-vote" doctrine?

A principle established by the Supreme Court, particularly after Baker v. Carr, mandating that legislative districts must be roughly equal in population to ensure equal representation for all citizens.

What was the significance of Shaw v. Reno (1993)?

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that congressional redistricting plans could be challenged under the Equal Protection Clause if they are so irregular on their face that they can only be understood as an effort to segregate voters by race. This case limited racial gerrymandering.

Senate Powers (left) vs House Powers (right)

Confirms presidential appointments (judges, cabinet members, ambassadors)

Initiates all revenue (tax) bills

Ratifies treaties (requires 2/3 vote)

Can impeach federal officials (bring charges)

Holds impeachment trials (decides guilt or innocence; requires 2/3 to convict)

Elects the President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College

Has the power to filibuster and place holds on bills

Has strict time limits for debate on bills

Approves or rejects nominations for Supreme Court and other federal offices

Introduces spending bills and budget measures first

House vs Senate Differences

Feature	House of Representatives	Senate

Size

435 members (based on population)

100 members (2 per state)

Term Length

2 years

6 years (1/3 elected every 2 years)

Constituency

Smaller, more local districts

Entire state

Leadership

Speaker of the House (very powerful)

Vice President (President of the Senate) and Senate Majority Leader (most powerful member)

Debate Rules

Very strict, limited time per member

Unlimited debate (can lead to filibusters)

Emphasis

Budget, revenue, domestic policy

Foreign policy, presidential appointments

Age Requirement

25 years old

30 years old

Citizenship Requirement

7 years

9 years