Congress Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms and definitions covering the structures, powers, procedures, and constitutional concepts related to the United States Congress.

Bill

A proposed law.

Committees

Types include standing, select, conference, and joint.

Floor vote

A vote by the whole chamber (House or Senate).

Veto

The President's rejection of a bill.

Override

Passing a vetoed law with a $\frac{2}{3}$ majority vote in both houses.

Congressional Districts

The area represented by a member of the House of Representatives.

Reapportionment

Recalculation of House Representatives each state receives every $10$ years after a census.

Census

A counting of the population.

One Person One Vote

The principle that each person's vote should have the same weight or power.

Redistricting

When a state redraws its Congressional District map for equal population per district.

Baker v. Carr

Supreme Court case addressing unequal number of voters in congressional districts.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing Congressional Districts to favor one group over another.

Shaw v. Reno

Court case addressing gerrymandering for racial reasons, based on the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.

House of Representatives Characteristics

Closer to the people, strict rules, led by Speaker of the House, brings impeachment charges, proposes spending bills.

Senate Characteristics

Represents states, less formal rules, led by VP, tries impeachment trials, approves treaties and appointments.

Divided Government

Situation where the President and Congress chambers are controlled by different parties.

Filibuster

A tactic used by Senators to extend debate and delay a vote.

Cloture

A Senate rule allowing a $\frac{3}{5}\text{ths}$ vote ($60$ votes) to end a filibuster.

Pork Barrel Spending

Addition of money for local districts added to a bill, often unrelated.

Logrolling

The exchange of favors or support between elected officials.

Budget

The government's annual plan for spending, passed by Congress.

Mandatory Spending

Required and automatic government spending (e.g., Medicare, Social Security).

Discretionary Spending

Spending adjusted each year where Congress can change appropriations.

Gridlock

When lawmakers cannot come to an agreement.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

Enumerated / Delegated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress in the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause / Elastic Clause

Constitutional clause allowing Congress to pass laws needed to execute its enumerated powers.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly granted by the Constitution but implied by the elastic clause.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states under the Tenth Amendment.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments.