101. Joint Committee A committee comprised of members of both houses of Congress  Temporary or permanent They help focus attention on major matters so the houses don't duplicate work US Congress uses these, but with little jurisdiction and lack of authority to report legislation. Ex: Joint Committee on Taxation  assist Members of the majority and minority parties in both houses of Congress on tax legislation.

102. Conference Committee A specialized type of a joint committee Temporary and formed in order to create resolutions on proposed laws from a bicameral legislature US Congress forms with members of both houses to work out differences between similar bills Ex: budget conference committee (Feb 22, 2011)  To iron out policy differences regarding the budget propose by Jerry Brown

103. Delegate vs. Trustee Delegate: Vote the way their constituents want Trustee: Do what the public good requires, even if voters are skeptical  Use their own best judgment These are the two main ways in which political representation occurs in the government Ex: Representatives from districts with many minorities must support civil rights bills (thus being a delegate) to be reelected. Since foreign policy is generally remote from everyday life, representatives usually vote as trustees

104. Filibuster A prolonged speech, or series of speeches, made to delay action in a legislative assembly  Unlimited debate to buy time By the end of the 19 th century, it was rampant in the US Senate for lofty and self- serving purposes Ex: Group of senators talked to death a foreign policy measure by President Wilson in 1917

105. Cloture A motion that stops a debate (filibuster) In the US Senate:  16 senators introduce sign a petition to move cloture.  2 days later Senate votes.  Filibuster ended if 3/5 of Senate (60) agrees. Ex: First invoked successfully in 1919 to end the debate over the Treaty of Versailles (after 55 days of debate)