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Gov test Ch 2.1-2.3
Gov test stuff
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cloture rule | 3/5 of the senate can vote to stop debate on a bill to counter filibusters |
| Committe of the Whole | More of a state of operation for the house, includes but doesn't require all representatives, allows for more relaxed rules than the house |
| Conference committee | When a bill is passed through the Senate and the House but in slightly different forms, a conference committee is created to iron out the differences |
| Deficit | Difference between spending and revenue |
| Discharge petition | Brings a bill out of a committee to the House floor. Requires a majority of the house |
| Discretionary Spending | Funding that congressional committees debate and decide how to divide up |
| Filibuster | – A tactic in the U.S. Senate where a senator speaks for an extended period to delay or block a vote on a bill. |
| Germane | Refers to whether an amendment or proposal is relevant to the subject of the bill being considered. |
| Hold | A procedural action where a senator signals they may filibuster or object to a bill or nomination, effectively delaying consideration. |
| Joint Committees | Committees composed of members from both the House and the Senate that handle routine matters or conduct investigations. |
| Logrolling | When legislators agree to support each other’s bills or amendments, "if you vote yes on my bill I'll vote yes on yours" |
| Mandatory Spending | Government spending required by law, often on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and interest on debt, don't get debated by Congress |
| Omnibus bill | A large bill that deals with many areas of law and/or programs |
| Pork Barrel Spending | Government spending on localized projects intended primarily to benefit a legislator’s constituents, often added to larger bills. |
| President of the Senate | The Vice President of the U.S., who presides over the Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes. Role defined in the constitution |
| President Pro Tempore | A senior senator, usually of the majority party, who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is absent |
| Rider | An additional provision added to a bill that may not be related to the bill’s main topic, often used to pass controversial measures. |
| Rules Committee | A House committee that determines the rules for debate, amendment, and scheduling of bills on the House floor. |
| Select Committees | Temporary committees created for a specific purpose or investigation |
| Senate Majority Leader | The chief spokesperson and strategist for the majority party in the Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda. |
| Speaker of the House | The officer of the House of Representatives responsible for legislative leadership and committee assignments. |
| Sponsor | A member of Congress who introduces a bill or resolution and advocates for its passage. |
| Unanimous Consent | A procedure where no member objects to a proposal, allowing it to pass quickly without a formal vote. |
| Ways and Means Committee | A House committee that oversees taxation, revenue, and social programs like Social Security and Medicare. |
| Whip | Party leaders in both chambers who track votes, encourage party discipline, and ensure members vote according to party strategy. |
| Structure of Congress | Bicameral legislature with House of Representatives and Senate |
| House of Representatives | Lower house of Congress, based on population, 2-year terms |
| Senate | Upper house of Congress, 2 per state, 6-year terms |
| Seventeenth Amendment (1913) | Established direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote |
| Differences Between Houses of Congress | House: initiates revenue bills, more formal rules. Senate: approves treaties, confirms appointments |
| Advice and Consent | Senate power to approve presidential appointments and treaties |
| Coalitions | Temporary alliances between members to pass legislation |
| Power of the Purse | House controls taxation and spending bills |
| Powers of Congress | Legislative powers defined in Article I of the Constitution |
| Caucuses | Groups of members with shared interests or goals |
| Enumerated Powers | Powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution |
| Implied Powers | Powers inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause |
| Necessary and Proper Clause | Allows Congress to make laws needed to execute its enumerated powers |
| War Powers Act (1973) | Limits presidential military power; Congress must approve use of force after 60 days |
| Baker v. Carr (1962) | Established “one person, one vote” and allowed federal courts to review redistricting cases |
| Delegate Model | Representatives vote according to constituents’ wishes |
| Gerrymandering | Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage |
| Gridlock | Inability to pass legislation due to partisan conflict |
| “Lame Duck” President | President with little influence because their term is ending |
| “One person-one vote” Principle | Districts must have roughly equal populations |
| Politico Model | Mix of delegate and trustee models depending on the issue |
| Racial Gerrymandering | Drawing districts based on race (limited by court rulings) Race-based gerrymandering ruled unconstitutional under Equal Protection Clause |
| Swing District | Districts where elections are closely contested |
| Trustee Model | Representatives vote based on their own judgment and conscience |
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happyjeff617