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27 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Speaker of the House
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The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House.
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President of the Senate
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The presiding officer of a senate; in Congress, the Vice President of the United States; in a State's legislature, either the lieutenant governor or a senator.
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President Pro Tempore
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The member of the United States Senate, or of the upper house of a State's legislature, chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the Senate.
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Party Caucus
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A closed meeting of a party's House or Senate members; also called a party conference.
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Floor Leader
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Member of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals.
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Whip
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Assistant to the floor leaders in the house and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshalling votes.
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Committee Chairman
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Member who heads a standing committee in a legislative body.
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Seniority Rule
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Unwritten rule in both houses of Congress reserving the top posts in each chamber, particularly committee chairmanships, for members with the longest records of service.
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Standing Committee
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Permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject-matter area are referred.
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Select Committee
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Legislative committee created for a limited time and for some specific purpose; also known as a special committee.
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Joint Committee
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Legislative committee composed of members of both houses.
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Conference Committee
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Temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses' versions of a bill.
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Bill
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A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.
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Joint Resolution
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A proposal for action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters.
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Concurrent Resolution
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A statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature.
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Resolution
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A measure relating to the business of either house, or expressing an opinion; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature.
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Rider
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Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will "ride" through the legislative process.
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Discharge Petition
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A procedure enabling members to force a bill that has been pigeonholed in committee onto the floor for consideration.
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Subcommittee
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Division of existing committee that is formed to address specific issues.
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Committee of the Whole
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A committee that consists of an entire legislative body; used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.
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Quorum
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Least number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority.
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Engrossed
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To print a bill in its final form.
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Filibuster
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Various tactics (usually long speeches) aimed at defeating a bill in a legislative body by preventing a final vote; associated with the U.S. Senate.
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Cloture
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Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate in a legislative body.
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Veto
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Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature; literally "I forbid".
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Pocket Veto
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Type of veto a chief executive may use after a legislature has adjourned; when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so.
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Civics Chapter 12
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Civics Chapter 12
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