Unit 2A - Congress - Key Terms

Filibuster

A procedure practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

Omnibus bill

One very large bill that encompasses many separate bills

Rider

A provision attached to a bill - to which it may or may not be related - in order to secure its passage or defeat.

Pork Barrel Spending

The appropriation of government spending for projects that are intended primarily to benefit particular constituents, such as those in marginal seats or campaign contributors.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

One person, one vote principle

The rule that, under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, legislative voting districts must be the same in population size.

Ways and Means Committee

In the House: Committee that determines tax policy like raising and lowering the taxes

Rules Committee (House)

This committee assigns bills to the appropriate standing committees, determines which bills are scheduled for debate and decides when votes take place. It can dispose of a bill before going to committee. Most members on committee are from majority party

Standing committee

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

Joint Committee

Committees that united members from the House and Senate

Select Committee

a committee that is temporary and has a fixed issue to investigate or legislation to consider

Conference Committee

special joint committee created to reconcile (iron-out) differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

Delegate Model

Members of the House or Senate trying to reflect the will of their constituency

Trustee Model

A Legislator's more independent approach to voting on issues, i.e. rather than listening to their constituents, they vote along party lines, or their conscience.

Politico Model

An attempt to blend both the delegate and trustee models; lawmakers will typically vote according to their party's wishes

Senate Judiciary Committee

Holds confirmation hearings for the nominations for federal judges by the president.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the principle of "one person, one vote" and made some patterns of representation illegal. The Court asserted that the federal courts had the right to tell states to reapportion their districts for more equal representation.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Decided that racial gerrymandering cannot be allowed even if it is to benefit an underrepresented group; Thus, race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries.

Gridlock

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government