Chapter 4

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

efforts by congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet department, as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals.

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

the process of determining the number of representative for each state using census data

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 district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

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

the uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts

being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

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

the leader of the house of representatives, chosen by an election of its members

an organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns

the person who is the second in command of the house of representatives

a member of congress chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline

the head of the party with the second highest number of seats in congress, chosen by the party members

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

leader of a committee who has authority over the committee’s agenda

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 a vote

a powerful committee that determines when a bull 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 but no senators and meets in the house chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

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. Requires unanimous consent to finally get to a vote

a tactic throughout which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation

a procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to action, provided that 60 senators agree to it

the power of the president to reject a bill from congress, sending it back to the original branch with objections

the executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities

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

spending required by existing laws that is “locked in“ the budget

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

the amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than it spends

the annual shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spends

the total amount of money owed by the federal government

the idea that the main duty of a member of congress is to carry out constitutions 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 interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions

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

a slowdown or halt in congress’s ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship

control of the presidency and one or both chambers of congress split between the 2 major parties

period at the end of a presidential term when congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees

allows for members of Congress and their staff to send mail to their constituents or supporters without having to pay postage. This allows for Congress to be able to communicate more effectively with their supporters

has jurisdiction over the internal management of the Senate, as well as responsibility for legislation establishing federal election laws

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

legal restriction that limits the number of terms an officeholder may serve in a particular elected office

a district where there are tight elections

a district where the incumbent will overwhelmingly win.

the U.S. Supreme Court case that held that federal courts could hear cases alleging that a state's drawing of electoral boundaries, i.e. redistricting, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

The Court ruled that claims of racial redistricting must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny, meaning that any law that results in classification by race must have a compelling government interest

committee that considers legislation on tax. Any proposal with tax starts with the people in the house

committee that chooses and sets the budget of the government. Decides the budget

house committee that figures out how to spend the governments money and divides it between the different programs

the traffic cop for the house of reps, they deicide which bills make it to the floor of the house,

a person who is elected to serve only during the absence of the vice president, is usually the longest sitting member, and is usually only ceremonial

a committee of both senators and reps who get together and reconcile parts of the bills when they passed house/senate and bring it back to both houses for a final vote.

An increase in the number of votes candidates receive between the first time elected and their first time reelected.

perminent committees that stay present even if theres a new congress

what part of congress can impeach and tax

what part of congress can try impeachment trials, create treaties, and confirm presidential appointments and judicial appointments.

the legislative branch government agency that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services for the United States Congress

a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides budget and economic information to Congress

a proposed law which would apply to everyone within its jurisdiction.

resolution passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives

rule that sets time limits on debate and restrict the passage of amendments

rule that permits amendment from the floor of the house

the minimum number of a governmental body's membership necessary to act

a procedure to keep the senate going during a filibuster, whereby disputed bill is temporarily shelved so that the senate can go on with other business

a voting procedure in both houses that is answered with a yelled yay or nay

If a senator is in doubt about the outcome of a voice vote, he or she may request a ____, whereby the presiding officer counts the senators voting yea and those voting no, to confirm the voice vote

a button is pressed to express the vote of a congressman

a yay or nay vote that is recorded

a committee that contains both members from house and senate and focus public attention on an issue, gather info for congress, or help party leaders speed things along in the legislative process.

a temporary joint committee that resolves differences between the house and senate versions of a bill.

temporary committees used to investigate an issue, like scandels