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Congress Review (AP) Flashcards

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8416897818BicameralLegislature with two chambers, each with different rules and procedures0
8416900957ApportionmentAllocation of members of the House of Representatives1
8416910326ReapportionmentReallocation of members of the House of Representatives after a Census. Some states will gain members, some will lose members.2
8416916453GerrymanderingRedrawing Congressional district maps in order to give one party an advantage3
8416923874RedistrictingRedrawing Congressional district maps4
8416940120FilibusterTalking a bill to death on the floor of the Senate5
8416943505ClotureVote to end debate in the Senate6
8416948580IncumbentCurrent official in a seat7
8416955108Conference CommitteeCommittee made up of members of the House and Senate to resolve differences in bills8
8416964441Franking privilegeAbility for members of Congress to send mail to their constituents for free9
8416975572ConstituentsThe people being represented by a public official10
8416991106LogrollingTrading votes for each other's bill11
8416995289Speaker of the HouseHighest ranking officer in the House. Also the leader of the largest party in the House.12
8417004906Party whipParty official in each chamber that is charge of getting party members to vote the way the party wants13
8417015285Pork Barrel Legislation/ProjectSpending for a project in a certain member's district/state. Considered wasteful to others, but helps improve approval rating for that member.14
8417029285OversightCongress's ability to investigate the actions of the Executive Branch15
8417038315Standing CommitteeCommittee that is permanent in Congress and deals with specific topics. (Ex: Senate Foreign Relations Committee)16
8417049257CaucusInformal group of members of Congress that focuses on only one issue.17
8417059841PigeonholingSticking a bill in committee planning on never bringing it up again.18
8417071119President Pro TemporeLeads the Senate in the absence of the President of the Senate. Given to the longest continuous serving member of the majority. (No real power)19
8417082770Senate Majority LeaderThe officer actually in charge of the Senate. Holds powers similar to the Speaker of the House20
8417095740Revenue BillsMust start in the House21
8417099303House Ways and Means CommitteeCommittee that starts all bills dealing with revenue (aka taxes)22
8417117744House Rules CommitteeControls the flow of bills in the House. Decides length of debate, number of amendments, and when votes will be. Speaker puts members on this committee.23
8417145310Seniority SystemRule that states that the longest serving members of a committee are first in line to become committee chair.24
8417160565Committee chairMember of the majority party that is the leader of a committee25
8417166482Ranking MemberMember of the minority party that is first in line to become chair of a committee should the majority party lose power26
8417179257AmendmentsAttachments to a bill27
8417182647Discharge petitionRequest to override the Rules Committee and force a vote on the floor of the House on a bill. Very rare.28
8417212572Power of the PurseCongress's ability to control the budget of the Executive Branch29
8417220883ImpeachmentVoting on charges against a government officer and removal from office30
8417234491Non Legislative Powers of the SenateRatifying treaties and confirming presidential appointments31
8417245334PackingGerrymandering strategy where members of a party are shoved into just one district32
8417249703CrackingGerrymandering strategy where members of a party are split into multiple districts, preventing them from getting a majority in any district33
8417261013Minority-Majority DistrictDistrict gerrymandered to try to increase the odds of a racial/ethnic minority winning the seat34
8417281920Senate HoldAbility for one Senator to block the nomination of a presidential appointment vote. Can be anonymous35
8417297658Trustee ModelTheory of Representation where the member votes the way they believe in their heart.36
8417313298Delegate ModelTheory of Representation where the member votes the way their constituents want them to vote.37
8417322370Partisan ModelTheory of Representation where the member votes the way the party wants.38
8417342881Senate Judiciary CommitteeCommittee that deals with nominations to the federal judiciary (among other things)39
8417353373Appropriations CommitteeCommittee in each chamber that deals with deciding how much money each program in a department/agency will get40
8417405369Pocket VetoDeath of a bill due to presidential inaction for 10 days (excluding Sundays) when Congress is out of session41
8417419508CensusCounting of the total US population. Takes place every 10 years42

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