Overview of Congress and the House of Representatives

Flashcards that cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the structure and function of Congress, focusing on the House of Representatives.

Apportionment

The process of distributing seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population.

Constituents

The voters in a district who elect a representative and can vote them out of office.

Census

A count of the population taken every ten years to determine the distribution of House seats.

Speaker of the House

The elected leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party.

Majority Leader

The person in charge of the majority party in the House of Representatives.

Whip

A party official in the House responsible for ensuring party discipline and mobilizing votes.

Committees

Sub-groups in the House of Representatives that specialize in specific areas of legislation and policy.

Agriculture Committee

A committee focused on laws related to agriculture, including issues like biotechnology, nutrition, and credit.

Minority Party

The political party that has fewer representatives in a legislative body.

Legislative Session

A period during which the House of Representatives convenes to conduct its business, typically lasting two years.