AP GOV legislative vocab

Enumerated powers

powers specifically written in the constitution

implied powers

authority granted to the U.S. federal government that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out enumerated powers

Mandatory Spending

Spending not in the budget because it is previously committed by law

Discretionary Spending

Budget debated and passed through Congress

-defense

-education

-infrastructure

Deficit Spending

Spending money on programs beyond the amount the government has.

Surplus

When you spend less on expenditures than the revenue you bring in

Gerrymandering

•  to draw a district’s boundaries to gain an advantage in elections (Packing and Cracking)

Reapportionment

the process of assigning representation based on population, after the census

Redistricting

to set up new district lines after reapportionment is complete

caucus

a local meeting where political party members gather to discuss and select their preferred candidates for an election, often choosing delegates for national conventions, involving public grouping or secret ballots to show support, contrasting with private primary voting.

constituent

a citizen or resident living within the specific district or state represented by an elected official

Riders

a non-germane (unrelated) amendment added to a popular or "must-pass" bill—such as an appropriations bill—to ensure its passage, as it might not pass on its own merits

Omnibus Bill

a proposed law that covers a number of diverse or unrelated topics. Omnibus is derived from Latin and means "to, for, by, with or from everything".

Filibuster

used exclusively in the U.S. Senate by a minority party or individual senator to delay or block a vote on legislation through extended debate or other obstructionist methods.

Cloture

a special session which enables and requires a 2/3 super majority to stop debate on a bill, thus, stopping a filibuster and allowing for a vote.

conference committee

a temporary, joint legislative panel formed to reconcile different versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate, creating a single compromise bill that must be approved by both chambers to advance

standing committee

a permanent panel within a legislative body established by chamber rules to handle specific, ongoing areas of policy. These committees are foundational to the legislative process, responsible for reviewing bills, conducting oversight of federal agencies, and recommending legislation.

joint committee

a legislative body in government composed of members from both chambers—the House of Representatives and the Senate—designed to conduct studies, oversight, or administrative tasks rather than draft legislation.

select committee

A select committee is a temporary or permanent legislative body appointed by a chamber of government to investigate, study, and report on specific issues or emerging topics that fall outside the jurisdiction of standing committees

discharge petitions

A discharge petition is a U.S. House of Representatives procedure allowing members to force a bill out of a committee and onto the floor for a vote without committee approval or leadership consent.

entitlements

federal, state, or local government programs that legally obligate the government to provide payments or benefits to any individuals, businesses, or organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria defined by law.

tax revenue

the compulsory money collected by governments from individuals, corporations, and other entities to fund public services and expenditures.

Pork Barrel

a metaphor for government spending directed by lawmakers toward localized projects that primarily benefit their specific constituents, rather than the general population.

logrolling

a legislative practice where politicians trade votes, agreeing to support each other's preferred bills or amendments to ensure passage.

impeachment

the process where a legislative body brings formal charges against a high public official for serious misconduct, like treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors, but it is not the removal itself, which requires a subsequent trial and conviction by another legislative body

gridlock

a political stalemate where opposing parties or branches can't agree, preventing new laws or significant action, similar to traffic gridlock, often due to extreme partisanship, divided government, or procedural hurdles like the Senate filibuster, leading to legislative inaction and policy paralysis.

unequal representation

a disparity in political power, where certain groups, regions, or economic classes possess greater influence over policy outcomes than others, violating the principle of equal voice.

lame duck

the time, typically between a November election and the following inauguration or swearing-in in January, when an outgoing official or Congress holds office despite having lost an election, reached term limits, or chosen not to run for reelection.

divided gov

the executive branch and the legislative branch are controlled by different political parties

trustees

an official or entity appointed to hold legal title to assets, funds, or property and manage them for the benefit of beneficiaries.

delegate

a person authorized to act or vote on behalf of others, representing a specific group at a larger body, such as a political convention or legislature, to make decisions in their interests

politico

A politico is an informal term for a politician, often used to describe someone deeply involved in political maneuvering, deal-making, or the behind-the-scenes aspects of government, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of being a "political insider" focused on power rather than pure public service.