government vocab

Appropriations Bill

A proposed law to authorize the government to spend money.

Bicameral

A two-chamber legislative body where the laws of a state or nation are debated and created.

Caucus

A group of congresspersons who share an interest and come together to influence legislation.

Cloture

A procedure allowing each senator to speak only one hour for or against a bill that is up for debate.

Conference

A temporary committee made to reconcile similar bills that have passed both the House and Senate.

Constituents

A group of people whom a member of Congress has been elected to represent.

Entitlement

A required government expenditure that continues from one year to the next.

Filibuster

A method of defeating a bill in the Senate by stalling the legislative process and preventing a vote.

Incumbent

An elected official that is already in office representing the people of a district or state.

Joint

A committee of Representatives and Senators formed to investigate and report on a national issue.

Majority / Minority Leaders

Congresspersons whose jobs are to direct the legislative agenda and party strategy.

Pocket Veto

Rejection of a bill by the president during the last ten days of a Congressional session.

Pork Barrel Legislation

A proposal to appropriate money to specific local federally backed projects.

President Pro Tempore

A senator whose job is to stand in for the vice president as parliamentarian of the chamber.

Private Bill

A proposal dealing with individual people or specific places.

Public Bill

A proposal dealing with general matters that apply to the entire nation.

Revenue Bill

A proposal meant to help raise funds to cover government expenses.

Rider

A proposal included in a bill on a subject other than the one covered on the bill.

Rules

A House committee acting as a "traffic officer" deciding the flow and limits of legislation and voting.

Select

A temporary committee formed to research one specific issue of concern and report to the Congress.

Seniority System

Courtesy granted to those in the majority with the longest committee tenure a leadership position.

Simple Resolution

A statement adopted to cover matters affecting only one chamber of Congress.

Standing

A permanent committee in Congress that oversees bills and laws dealing with national issues.

Veto

A formal rejection to a specific bill.

Whips

Congresspersons whose jobs are to assist the leadership with the party's agenda and strategy.