AP Government Vocabulary: Congressional Operations and Politics

Apportionment

The process, occurring every 10 years after the census, used to determine the number of representatives for each state.

Bipartisanship

Agreement between the two political parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation.

Cloture

A procedure which senators can end a filibuster and move to a vote, provided 60 senators agree.

Committee of the Whole

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier and faster.

Committee Chair

Leader of a congressional committee.

Constituency

Citizens who elect a representative or senator.

Divided Government

When control over the presidency and chambers of Congress are split between two parties.

Discharge Petition

A motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives.

Filibuster

A tactic a senator can use to delay a motion.

Gridlock

A slowdown in Congress's ability to act.

Gerrymandering

The intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific group.

Hold

A delay placed on legislation by an objecting senator.

House Rules Committee

Determines when a bill will be debatable, how long it will last, and amendments.

House Majority Leader

The person who is second in command of the House of Representatives.

Incumbency

Already being in office when running for reelection.

Lame Duck Period

Period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential nominees.

Logrolling

Combining several bills into a single bill.

Minority Leader

Head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress.

Malapportionment

Uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts.

Majority-Minority District

An electoral district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that district.

Oversight

Congress's power to review executive branch agencies.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Largest executive office agency that helps the president with the annual federal budget.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Raises money for candidates and campaigns.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government funding for local projects.

Redistricting

Redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts to match population shifts.

Senate Majority Leader

Person who has the most power in the Senate.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

Agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for a bill.

Whip

Congress member who ensures unity and discipline in a party.