Chapter 4

Replaced indirect election of senators by state legislators with direct popular election by a states eligible voters

provides information and estimates of the likely budgetary consequences of funding the agencies/programs created by congress

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Trading of votes on legislation by members of congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

the allocation of money to specific projects in states or congressional districts

efforts by congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals

Treason, bribery, high crimes, and misdemeanors (Article II, Section 4)

Andrew Johnson & Bill Clinton

a body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator

The process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data (conducted every 10 years)

states redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census

the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters

Drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

a district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district

The equal protection clause requires legislative district boundaries to be drawn to have roughly the same number of constituents under the principle of ‘one man one vote’

the uneven distribution of the population among the legislative districts

running for re election as opposed to running for the first time

the institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers during an election

The Supreme Court overturned the race-conscious drawing of a strangely shaped legislative district

the leader of the House of Representatives chosen by an election of its members

The organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns

The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives – assists the speaker

A member of Congress chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline – assists the speaker

The head of the party with the second highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the parties members

works to coordinate minority party activity, opposition to the majority party, and overall strategy

The person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seats

leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committees agenda

unwritten expectations of how members are supposed to act and contribute to the smooth functioning of Congress

more narrowly focused groups of legislators operating under the guidance of a parent committee

a motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for vote

A powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the house floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor

consists of all members of the house – meets in the house chamber, but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

A vote in which each member of the chamber debating a bill indicates ‘Yea’, ‘Nay’, or ’Present’

A delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill

an agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill

The majority leader/floor manager

a tactic through which an individual senator can debate/talk without limit with the intention of delaying motion/action on a piece of legislation

A procedure through which senators can end a filibuster with the vote of 3/5 of senators (60)

Bill sent to a committee to adjust spending, taxing, or the debt limit to meet the final budget resolution

The total amount of revenue and expenditures in that years budget

veto, sign it, or let it become a bill automatically with inaction

2/3 both chamber vote

An execute branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities

modified the process of setting the federal budget, requiring that the presidents proposed budget be reviewed by congressional committees

A program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income

Social Security & Medicare

Spending required by existing laws that is “locked in” the budget

spending for programs & policies at the discretion of the congress and the president

Defense spending

instituted a national income tax

federal government takes in more money than it spends

federal government takes in less money than it spends

the total amount of money owed by the federal government

Emphasizes that the main duty of a Congress member is to carry out constituents wishes

The idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interest of their constituents and parties in making decisions

Numbers of parties vote and act strongly with their own party and becomes less likely to cross the aisle and cooperate with each other

Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation

A slowdown or halt in Congress’ ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship

A divided government

Control of presidency and one or both chambers on congress are split between the two major parties

Period at the end of a presidential term in which congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees

Members of congress represent the interests and policy preferences of their constituents