Congress: Balancing National Goals and Local Interests

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts relating to Congress, including its structure, functions, and processes.

Incumbency

The holding of an office or the period during which one is held.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives based on census results.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and state legislative district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

The practice of redrawing district lines in a way that favors a particular political party.

Midterm Elections

Elections that occur midway through a president's four-year term.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either house of Congress, responsible for scheduling legislation and advocating for party positions.

Committee Jurisdiction

The policy area in which a committee is authorized to act.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster and bringing a bill to a vote, requiring a supermajority to invoke.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences in legislation between the House and Senate.

Executive Privilege

The right of the president to withhold information from Congress or the courts.

Lawmaking

The process by which Congress makes laws to authorize federal programs.

Oversight

The review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.

Party Caucus

A closed meeting of a political party's members to discuss strategy and issues.

Roles of Congress

The three major functions of Congress: making laws, representing interests, and overseeing the executive branch.