Congressional Structure, Procedures, and Roles Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental concepts, procedures, leadership roles, and terminology related to the United States Congress.

Advice and consent powers

Allows Senators to recommend or reject major presidential appointees.

Bills

Proposed legislation that is introduced in Congress for consideration and potential passage into law.

Budget

Congress's annual financial plan that allocates funds for mandatory and discretionary spending programs.

Budget Deficit

The shortfall that occurs when government spending exceeds tax revenues.

Caucuses

Groups of Congress people that unite around a particular belief.

Cloture

A procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to action, provided three-fifths of senators agree to it.

Committee of the Whole

A procedural mechanism in the House that allows all members to participate in debate on a bill to expedite the legislative process.

Committees

Specialized groups of legislators within Congress that conduct hearings, debate, and review bills before they are considered by the full chamber.

Conference Committee

A joint committee formed to reconcile differences between versions of a bill passed by both chambers of Congress.

Delegate Role

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituent wishes.

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 for a vote.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending approved annually by Congress for programs such as defense, education, and infrastructure.

Divided Government

A situation in which one party controls the presidency and the other party controls at least one of the chambers of Congress.

Earmark

Funds directed to a very specific purpose.

Entitlement Programs

Government benefit programs that provide payments to individuals who meet specified eligibility requirements, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Filibuster

A tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation.

Franking Privledges

Long-standing legal right that allows members of the U.S. Congress and certain other government officials to send official mail and communications to constituents without paying regular postage.

Germane amendments

When amendments are directly related to the topic of the bill.

Gerrymandering

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

Gridlock

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

Hold

A Senate procedure that allows a senator to request a delay or prevention of a bill from reaching the floor for a vote.

Impeach

Formally charge a public official with a crime, abuse of power, or misconduct in office.

Interstate Commerce

Trade and economic activity that occurs between different states, which Congress has the power to regulate.

Logrolling

The practice of legislators exchanging political favors, such as trading votes, to gain support for legislation.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Markup

The process by which a committee revises and adds amendments to a bill before recommending it to the full chamber.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A constitutional provision that grants Congress the authority to enact legislation needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

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.

Partisan Voting

When members of Congress vote based on their political party affiliation rather than other considerations.

Polarization

A situation in which political attitudes move toward ideological extremes, creating greater distance between opposing viewpoints.

Politico Role

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Funding for local projects included in larger appropriation bills, often used to benefit a legislator's district.

Reapportionment

Distribution of US congressional seats according to changes in the census figures.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically following the decennial census.

Republicanism

The democratic principle that the will of the people is reflected in government through the decisions and debates of their elected representatives.

Revenue Bills

Legislation that raises taxes or generates government income, which must originate in the House of Representatives.

Rider Amendments

Amendments added to bills that are often unrelated to the original bill's purpose.

Rules Committee

The House committee that establishes the rules and procedures for debate on bills in the House chamber.

Speaker of the House

The elected leader of the House of Representatives who presides over legislative work and is chosen by a majority of House members.

Swing Districts

Districts that can go to either party and tend to have closer elections.

Trustee Role

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

Unanimous Consent Agreement

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

Whips

A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline.

Senate Majority Leader

The person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seat.

Minority Leader

The head of the party with the most seats in Congress, chosen by the party’s members.