AP Gov Unit 2 Vocab

Pork barrel spending

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects in districts or states

Logrolling

Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

Oversight

Efforts by Congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments, as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals

Earmarks

The allocation of money to specific projects in states or congressional districts. It was banned in 2011

Constituency

A body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator

Apportionment

The process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data

Redistricting

States’ redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census

Gerrymandering

The intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters

Partisan gerrymandering

Drawing district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

Majority-minority districts

A district in which voters of a minority ethnicity make up an electoral majority within that electoral district

Malapportionment

The uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts (violates 14th amendment)

Incumbent

Person holding elected office

Incumbency

Already being in office as opposed to running for the first time

Incumbency advantage

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers

Examples of Incumbency Advantage

Casework, name recognition, access to free media, gerrymandering, Franking Privilege, Pork, war chests, campaign experience “scare off effect”

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organizations that raises money for candidates and campaigns

House Majority Leader

Person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives

Congress’s Role in the Budget Process

Whip

A member of Congress chosen by their party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline

Minority Leader

The head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the party’s members

Senate Majority Leader

Person who has most power int he Senate and is head of the party with the most seats

Committee Chair

Leader of a Congressional committee who has authority over the committee’s agenda

Paying for Congressional Spots

When people pay a shit ton of money for positions on/as committees, chairs, and speaker

Standing Committee

Permanent committee, where bills are referred, where most work gets done, subcommittees

Joint Committee

Committee where members are from House and Senate, conducts special studies/investigations

Conference Committee

Committee based off a joint that irons out differences in House versions of a bill and finishes the bills

Select (special) Committee

A temporary committee, specific purpose, study, investigate —> response to crisis or scandal

Discharge Petition

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

House Rules Committee

A powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate lasts, and whether amendments can be made on the floor —> acts like traffic cop

Committee of the Whole

Consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules —> this makes it easier to consider complex/controversial legislation

Hold

A delay on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill

Hold takes up time which is most precious in Congress

Anyone ca call for hold

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill

Filibuster

Tactic where any senator uses right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation

Cloture

A procedure where senators can end a filibuster and proceed to action if 2/3, or 60 senators agree to it

Veto

Power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back with objections

If there is inaction, the bill becomes law if the president doesn’t sign within 10 days

If Congress overrides a veto, which isn’t common, it shows a deep disconnect

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The executive branch of office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities

Entitlement Program

A program that provides benefits for those who qualify under law, regardless of income —> Social Security, Medicare

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget

Discretionary Spending

Spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the President

Budget Surplus

The amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than in spends

Budget Deficit

The annual shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spends —> forces it to borrow

National Debt

The total amount of money owed by the federal government

Delegate Role

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to vote as their constituents wish

Trustee Role

The idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Politico Role

When members of Congress balance their choices with interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions

Partisan role

Member of congress votes as their party wishes

Bpartisanshp

When 2 parties work together in Congress to pass legislation

Gridlock

A slowdown or halt in Congress’s ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship

Divided government

Control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties

Lame Duck Period

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

Descriptive Representation

Representation reflecting constituents’ characteristics and experiences —> Diversity in Congress will help represent minority groups

Substantive Representation

Congress should represent the interests of constituents, regardless of the identity of Congress members

Differences between House and Senate

Powers of Congress

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastiic Clause)