Chapter 11 Vocab terms AP Gov

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population

Conference committee

Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form

Caucus

A meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and develop party policy.

Whip

Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.

Pocket veto

A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days, the bill does not become law and does not return to Congress for possible override

Select committee

A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations

reapportionment

the assigning by congress of congressional seats after each census

delegate

an official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of legislator

logrolling

mutual aid and vote trading among legislators

trustee

an official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgement of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator

seniority rule

a legislative practice that assigns the chair of the committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on the committee.

Speaker of the House

the presiding officer in the house of representatives, formally elected by the house but actually selected by the majority 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

closed rule

a procedural rule in the house of representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments

president pro tempore

officer of the senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president

incumbent

the current holder of the elected office

cloture

a procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the senate

Open rule

a procedural rule in the house of representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill

Over ride

An action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto, requiring a 2/3rds majority in each chamber

Rider

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

Hold

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of the bill or nomination.

Constituents

The residents of a congressional district or state

Minority leader

The legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition

Gerrymandering

the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent

Bicameralism

The principle of a two-house legislature

Article one

The powers expressly given to Congress in the Constitution

Discharge

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives’ members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration

Standing committee

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

Filibuster

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

Earmarks

Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.