#5S Chapter 12 Legislative Branch

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bicameral

Back 1

a legislature divided into two chambers; Congress has the Senate and the House of Representatives

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apportionment

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distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each one

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reapportionment

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redistribution of the congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution

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congressional districting

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State legislatures draw congressional districts for states with more than one representative.

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gerrymandering

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drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over another

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incumbency effect

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Tendency of those already holding office to win reelction due to advantages because they already hold office

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casework

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Assistance given to constituents by congressional members, answering questions or doing favors.

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constituents

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All residents of the state for Senators, all residents of a district for House members

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Speaker of the House

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Leading officer in the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party.

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majority leader

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The elected leader of the patty with the most seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate.

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president pro tempore

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Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority party.

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floor leaders

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Direct party strategy and decisions in the House of Representatives and Senate

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seniority system

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System in which the chairmanship of a committee is given to the member with the longest continuous service.

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standing committee

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Permanent committee.

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select committee

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Committee selected for a specific purpose

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joint committee

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Committee made up of members of both houses of Congress

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conference committee

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A temporary committee to work out a compromise version of a bill that has passed the House of Representatives and Senate in different forms

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caucuses

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Locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political offices

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trustee

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After listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions.

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franking privilege

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Privilege that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to constituents postage-free

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oversight

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Congress monitors policies of the exective branch.

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bills

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A law proposed by the legislature

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rules committee

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Determines the rules of debate for bills in the House of Representatives

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filibuster

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

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cloture

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Prevents filibustering and ends debate in the Senate, by a three-fifths vote of the Senate.

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pork barrel legislation

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Legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection.

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logrolling

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The exchange of political favors for support of a bill

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riders

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An addition or amendment added to a bill that of ten has no relation to the bill but may not pass on its own merits.

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amendments

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A revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution.

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lobbying

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Attempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods.

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legislative veto

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To reject the actions of the president or executive agency by a vote or one of both houses of Congress without the consent of the president; ruled unconstitutional but he Supreme Court in Immigration and Naturalization Serve v. Chadha.