AP US Government Congress

bicameral

A legislature divided into two houses.

filibuster

A formal way of halting action on a bill by means of long speeches or unlimited debate in the Senate.

cloture

A mechanism requiring sixty senators votes to cut off a debate (especially a filibuster)

censure

A process by which a formal reprimand is issued to an individual by an authoritative body.

apportionment

The proportional process of altering congressional seats to each state following the decennial census.

redistricting

The redrawing of congressional districts to reflect increases or decreases in seats alloted to states, as well as population shifts within a state.

gerrymandering

The legislative process through which the majority party in each state house tries to redraw congressional districts so that the maximum number of representatives from its party can be elected to Congress.

congressional oversight

The investigation and analyzation by Congress of the executive branch and its federal programs as well as policy and legislative implementations.

incumbency

The fact that being in office helps a candidate stay in office because of a variety of benefits that go along with the position.

caucus

A meeting of supporters or members of a political party or movement.

senatory courtesy

A process by which presidents, when selecting district court judges, defer to the senator in whose state the vacancy occurs.

logrolling

An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills.

whip

A representative who serves under the majority or minority leader, and who keeps in close contact with all party members, takes nose counts, provides summaries of bills, and acts as a communication link within the legislative party.

majority leader

The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line. He/she is the 2nd most powerful member of the HOR and is the most powerful member of the Senate.

standing Committee

A committee to which proposed bills are referred.