Key Terms of Legislative Branch

A comprehensive list of key terms related to the Legislative Branch for exam preparation.

Senatorial courtesy

Presidential appointments are confirmed only if there are no objections from senators of the appointee’s state.

Constituency/Constituents

People and interests that an elected official represents.

Congressional committees

Specific parts of Congress that handle specific duties such as drafting legislation and conducting oversight.

Select committee

A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and special purpose.

Conference committee

A joint committee appointed to resolve differences between the Senate and House versions of the same bill.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House, chosen by the majority party.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who presides over the Senate’s daily proceedings.

President Pro Tempore

Senate member, elected by the Senate, who acts as president of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Majority Leader

An important party member who shapes strategy and manages the House.

Minority Leader

The principal leader of the minority party in either the House or Senate.

Majority Whip

Works with the majority party to count votes beforehand and influence wavering members.

Filibuster

A tactic employed by a senator to refuse to relinquish the floor, thereby delaying proceedings and preventing a vote.

Cloture

A procedure that allows the debate on a bill to be limited, requiring a ⅗ vote to end a filibuster.

Quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress.

Rules Committee

Sets the legislative calendar and issues rules for debate on a bill.

Discharge petition

A petition that, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may bring the bill to the floor.

Treaty ratification

Power of the Senate to approve treaties negotiated by the president, requiring a ⅔ vote.

Discretionary spending

Spending about which Congress is free to make choices; handled through annual appropriations bills.

Mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without annual budgetary approval by Congress.

Entitlements

Social welfare programs that people are entitled to if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Social Security

A federal program of social insurance and benefits developed during the New Deal.

Medicare

Health insurance for persons aged 65 years and older.

Medicaid

Federal and state assistance program that pays for healthcare services for those who cannot afford them.

Budget deficit

A situation where federal spending exceeds federal revenue in a given year.

Pork barrel legislation

Legislation that provides tangible benefits to constituents in several districts/states in exchange for votes.

Logrolling

The practice of lawmakers supporting each other's bills.

Incumbency advantage

The tendency for members of Congress to be successful in reelection efforts.

Partisanship

Government action based on firm allegiance to a political party.

Reapportionment

Reallocating seats in the House every 10 years based on census results.

Census

The enumeration of the population required by the Constitution every 10 years.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing congressional and other legislative lines following a census.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

Baker v. Carr

Established the 'One man, one vote' rule, requiring districts to have equal populations.

Westbury v. Sanders

Required congressional districts to be 'compact and contiguous'.

Congressional oversight

The monitoring of the executive branch and administration of policies through hearings.

Power of the Purse

The authority of Congress to raise and spend money.