Here’s a set of flashcards with definitions for each term:

1. Pork Barrel Spending

- Government spending on local projects to benefit constituents, often to gain political support.

2. Whip

- A party leader responsible for coordinating votes and ensuring party discipline in legislative matters.

3. Logrolling

- The practice of exchanging favors, especially in legislative voting, where lawmakers agree to support each other's bills.

4. Minority Leader

- The head of the party with fewer seats in either the House or Senate, leading the opposition.

5. Oversight

- The process by which Congress monitors the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure proper implementation of laws.

6. Senate Majority Leader

- The head of the majority party in the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda and guiding party legislation.

7. Constituency

- The voters and residents in a specific area represented by an elected official.

8. Committee Chair

- The leader of a congressional committee, responsible for setting agendas, presiding over meetings, and guiding legislation through the committee.

9. Apportionment

- The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives among states based on population.

10. Discharge Petition

- A tool in the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote if a majority supports it.

11. Redistricting

- The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries based on changes in population.

12. House Rules Committee

- A committee in the House that sets the terms for debate and amendments on bills, greatly influencing legislative procedures.

13. Gerrymandering

- The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

14. Committee of the Whole

- A House procedure where the entire chamber acts as a committee, allowing more flexible debate and amendment rules.

15. Partisan Gerrymandering

- Redrawing district lines to maximize the advantage of one political party over others.

16. Hold

- A tactic where a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination.

17. Majority-Minority Districts

- Electoral districts drawn to ensure that racial or ethnic minorities have a majority.

18. Unanimous Consent Agreement

- An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for considering a bill, requiring all senators' consent.

19. Malapportionment

- Unequal representation in legislative districts, often resulting from population imbalances.

20. Filibuster

- A Senate tactic where a senator speaks at length to delay or block legislation.

21. Incumbency

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

22. Cloture

- A Senate procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority to proceed.

23. Incumbency Advantage

- The electoral edge afforded to those already in office due to recognition, resources, and established networks.

24. Veto

- The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

25. Speaker of the House

- The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for legislative agenda and leading the majority party.

26. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

- A federal agency that assists the president in preparing the budget and overseeing federal spending.

27. Political Action Committee (PAC)

- An organization that raises and spends money to influence elections and support candidates.

28. Entitlement Program

- Government programs providing benefits to qualified individuals regardless of need, such as Social Security.

29. House Majority Leader

- The leader of the majority party in the House, assisting the Speaker in managing the legislative agenda.

30. Mandatory Spending

- Federal spending required by law, primarily on entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

31. Discretionary Spending

- Spending that Congress can adjust each year, covering areas like defense and education.

32. Budget Surplus

- When the government’s revenue exceeds its expenditures in a fiscal year.

33. Budget Deficit

- When the government’s expenditures exceed its revenue in a fiscal year.

34. National Debt

- The total amount of money that the government owes from accumulated deficits.

35. Delegate Role

- When representatives vote according to their constituents’ preferences.

36. Trustee Role

- When representatives use their own judgment to make legislative decisions.

37. Politico Role

- A hybrid role where representatives balance constituents’ preferences with their own judgment and party loyalty.

38. Bipartisanship

- Cooperation between political parties to pass legislation or address issues.

39. Gridlock

- A situation where there is little or no progress in government due to partisan disagreements.

40. Divided Government

- When one party controls the presidency and another controls one or both chambers of Congress.

41. Lame Duck Period

- The period after a new president or Congress is elected but before they take office, often marked by limited legislative activity.