legislative

17th Amendment

The 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913, established the direct election of United States Senators by the people of the states, replacing the previous system where senators were chosen by state legislatures.

Advice and Consent

A constitutional power of the United States Senate to approve or reject treaties negotiated and appointments made by the President. This power is outlined in Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

Baker v. Carr

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court case (1962) that established the principle of "one person, one vote." This decision required legislative districts to be apportioned based on population, ensuring more equal representation.

Bicameral

A legislative system with two separate chambers or houses. The United States Congress, for example, is bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bipartisan

Involving the cooperation or agreement of members of two political parties, usually with the aim of reaching a compromise or consensus.

Cloture

A parliamentary procedure used to end a filibuster and bring a legislative debate to a vote. In the U.S. Senate, it requires a three-fifths supermajority (60 out of 100 senators).

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate created to resolve differences in legislation passed by both chambers.

Delegate Model

A model of representation in which elected officials are expected to act according to the expressed wishes of their constituents.

Divided Government

A situation in which different political parties control different branches or chambers of the government.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the U.S. Senate, where a senator speaks for an extended period to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group.

Joint Committees

Committees composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, often formed to address specific issues.

Logrolling

A practice in which two or more parties agree to support each other's goals or interests.

Omnibus Bill

A single piece of legislation that addresses a wide range of issues or topics.

Partisan

Adhering to a specific political party and its principles.

Politico Model

A model of representation in which elected officials act as trustees or delegates depending on the issue.

Pork-Belly Spending

Government spending that benefits a specific constituency or district, often with the aim of securing political support.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who serves as the presiding officer of the Senate but can only vote in the case of a tie.

President Pro Tempore

The senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Reapportionment

The reallocation of seats in a legislative body, often based on changes in population.

Redistricting

The redrawing of electoral district boundaries, typically in response to population changes.

Revenue Bills

Legislation that involves taxation or government spending. Such bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

Select Committee

A committee established for a specific purpose and usually for a limited duration.

Senate Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in the Senate, responsible for managing the legislative agenda.

Shaw v. Reno

A U.S. Supreme Court case (1993) that set limits on the use of race in drawing congressional districts.

Size, Terms, and Requirements of House and Senate

The House of Representatives has 435 members with two-year terms, while the Senate has 100 members with six-year terms. Requirements for both chambers vary, with the House requiring U.S. citizenship for at least seven years and the Senate nine years.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in a legislative body that focuses on a specific policy area.

Trustee Model

A model of representation in which elected officials use their best judgment to make decisions.

War Powers Act

A U.S. law passed in 1973 that limits the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without the consent of Congress.