1. Congress Unit
Vocabulary Review

2. Parts of Congress
bicameral legislature: divided into 2 houses; federal gov. and most states (except NE) have it
Senate: 2 per state; 100 total; V.P.—heads it, breaks a tie vote; protects elite interests; less disciplined
House of Reps.: the “voice of the people”; 435 members; more institutionalized and hierarchical

3. Leaders
Speaker of the House: mandated by the Const.; chosen by the majority party
Majority ldr.: in the House or Senate—chosen by the party with more members; chief ally of the Speaker
Minority ldr.: in the House or Senate—chosen by the party with fewer members
whips: work with min. and maj. leaders to count votes and get more support

4. Types of Committees select: appointed for a specific purpose
joint: made up of both House and Senate members; a few subject matters discussed
conference: works out compromise between different versions of a bill
standing: permanent ones that handle legislation
House Rules: unique institution--reviews all bills before going to the House; decides if bills are heard

5. representation and the people
descriptive: members who represent their constituents by mirroring their personal and political characteristics
substantive: members representing the interests of groups
incumbents: already hold office; run for reelection
constituents: voter in a district of an elected official; authorizes them to make decisions

6. Laws and Bills bill: proposed law; drafted in legal language
“marked up” bills: when they are changed, amended, and debated in committee
legislative oversight: Congress monitors the bureaucracy and its policy administration
lobbying: communication by someone other than a citizen—to influence government decisions

7. Senate debates
filibuster: opponents of a piece of legislation try to talk a bill to death; unlimited debate on it
cloture: to stop a filibuster—requiring 60 votes to accomplish

8. Other terms
credit claiming: in order to get reelected; taking credit for increased spending in their state and helping constituents
casework: activities of members that help their constituents as individuals
caucus: a group of members who share some interest or characteristic

9. Other terms (cont.)
seniority system: simple rule for selecting committee chairs—person serving the longest and whose party controlled the House or Senate; in effect until the 1970s
committee chairs: elected by the committee members; provide leadership of activities
gerrymandering: redrawing district lines to favor one party over another

10. Pork Barrel
list of federal projects, grants and contracts available to places in a congressional district; often excessive spending