Vocabulary

• filibuster


  A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate
• whip


  a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking
• Speaker of the House


  the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The most powerful member in Congress.
• standing committee


  A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
• conference committee


  special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate
• cloture


  A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.
• veto


  Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
• divided government

  one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
• earmarks


  "Hidden" congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund specific projects or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees
• pork barrel legislation


  legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
• franking privilege


  Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
• logrolling


  An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills
• reapportionment


  The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.
• redistricting


  The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population. Done by state legislatures.
• appropriations bills


  proposed laws to authorize spending money - must begin in the House of Representatives
• impeachment


  Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
• advise and consent


  the power of the senate to approve or disapprove of any of the president's appointments or treaties
• rules committee

  A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.
• electoral college


  the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president
• executive privilege


  An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.
• pocket veto


  A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
• 25


  Age requirement for House of Representatives
• 30


  Age requirement for the Senate
• 35


  Age requirement for President
• Vice President


  President of the Senate
• Senate Majority Leader


  The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.
• President Pro Tempore


  Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president - no real power
• 2 years


  Term of office for a U.S. Representative
• 6 years


  Term of office for a U.S. Senator
• checks and balances


  A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
• Congressional oversight


  The United States Congress has the authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the actions by the executive branch.
• elastic clause


  Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.
• power of the purse


  Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money
• gerrymandering


  Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
• 17th Amendment


  Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)
• delegate role


  A concept of legislative work as simply voting the desires of one's constituents, regardless of one's own personal views
• trustee role


  the concept that legislators should vote on the basis of their consciences and the broad interests of the nation, not simply on the views of their constituents
• 10th Amendment


  The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
• Baker v. Carr

  case that established "one man one vote". this decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state
• Shaw v. Reno

  The Court ruled that although it was a legitimate goal for state legislatures to take race into account when they draw electoral districts in order to increase the voting strength of minorities, they may not make race the sole reason for drawing district lines.