4.1-2

Appropriations Committee

A standing committee in the House of Representatives and the Senate responsible for determining how much money the US government will spend, they have significant power over government agencies and programs.

Closed Rule - House

A rule set by the house rules committee that limits debate and amendments on a bill during floor consideration.

Cloture

A procedure in the Senate to end a filibuster. It requires a 3/5 vote of senators (currently 60) to end a debate and proceed to a vote.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill. Members from both Chambers meet to reconcile the difference and create a compromise bill.

Discharge Petition

A mechanism in the House of Representatives to force a bill out of a committee and onto the floor for a vote. It requires a majority of all Representatives signatures.

Filibuster

A parliamentary tactic in the Senate where a senator or a group of senators prolongs debate to delay or block a vote on a bill or other measure.

Finance Committee

One of the oldest and most important committees in the Senate, with jurisdiction over tax policy, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and international trade agreements.

Senate hold

An informal practice in the Senate where a senator objects to a bill or nomination, signaling their intention to block or delay further action. It's a way for senators to express concerns or demand concessions.

Logrolling - Congress

The practice of exchanging favors, such as trading boats, to pass legislation period for example, a representative might vote for another Representatives Bill in exchange for their boat on a different bill.

Open Rule - House

A rule set by the house rules committee that allows for extensive debate an amendments to be offered on a bill during floor consideration.

Bill Rider

A provision added to a bill that is not related to the Bill's main purpose. Riders are often used to pass legislation that might not pass on its own. They are more common in the Senate.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that determines the conditions under which bills are debated and voted upon on the floor, including setting time limits and deciding whether amendments will be allowed.

Standing Committee

Permanent committees in both the House and Senate that specialize in particular areas of legislation (e.g., agriculture, judiciary, foreign relations). They are the first point of review for most bills.

Ways and Means Committee

Has exclusive jurisdiction over all taxation measures. This means that any Bill proposing to raise revenue or imposed taxes must originate in this committee. It also has jurisdiction over important areas like Social Security, unemployment insurance, and trade.

Appropriations

Congress decides how to spend the government's money

Impeachment

Process where Congress can formally accuse a high-ranking government official like the president of wrongdoing which leads to an investigation and charge.

Reappointment

After every 10-year senses the number of seats in the House of Representatives for each state is adjusted based on population change if a state's population grows a lot it might get more seats and if it shrinks it might lose seats.

Redistricting

Once the number of seats per state is set the state themselves draw the boundaries for their congressional district

Gerrymandering

Type of redistricting where boundaries of districts are drawn to favor one political group or party.

Bill of attainder

This is a law that punishes a person or group without trial.

Legislative veto

Way for Congress to reject an action of the executive branch without passing a law but can be found unconstitutional.

Franking privileges

Perk for member of Congress they can send email to their constitutions for free using their official signature helps them communicate with the people they

Means test

Requirement for some government programs where you have to prove you have a certain low income to qualify for benefits

Seniority system Congress

Practice where members who have served the longest in Congress often get most powerful positions

Pork barrel legislation

Love that includes funding for specific local projects that benefit a congressman's home District or state.