Chapter 11

Question 1

The residents of a congressional district or state.

Answer 1

Constituents

Question 2

The assigning by congress of congressional seats after each census.

Answer 2

Reapportionment

Question 3

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible.

Answer 3

Redistricting

Question 4

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.

Answer 4

Gerrymandering

Question 5

An elected official that is predominately won by one party or the other, so success of that party’s candidate is almost take for granted.

Answer 5

Safe seat

Question 6

The current holder of an elected office.

Answer 6

Incumbent

Question 7

The special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of congress for the constituents.

Answer 7

Earmarks

Question 8

Principle of a two house legislature.

Answer 8

Bicameralism

Question 9

The powers explicitly given to congress in the constitution.

Answer 9

Enumerated powers

Question 10

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, formally elected by the house, but actually selected by the majority party.

Answer 10

Speaker

Question 11

A meeting of the members of a party in legislative chamber to select party leaders and to develop party policy. Called a conference by republicans.

Answer 11

Party caucus

Question 12

The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep members of the party in line.

Answer 12

Majority leader

Question 13

The legislative leader selected by the minority party as a spokesperson for the opposition.

Answer 13

Minority leader

Question 14

The party leader go is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.

Answer 14

Whip

Question 15

A procedural rule in the house of reps that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.

Answer 15

Closed rule

Question 16

A procedural rule in the house that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.

Answer 16

Open rule

Question 17

An officer of these Senate selected by the majority party to act as the chair in the absence of the Vice President.

Answer 17

President pro tempore

Question 18

A procedural practice in the senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination.

Answer 18

Hold

Question 19

A procedural practice in the senate where a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Answer 19

Filibuster

Question 20

A procedure for termination debate, especially filibusters, in the senate.

Answer 20

Cloture

Question 21

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area.

Answer 21

Standing committee

Question 22

A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation.

Answer 22

Special or select committee.

Question 23

A committee composed of both house and senate members; such committees oversee the library of congress and conduct investigations.

Answer 23

Joint committee

Question 24

A legislative practice that assigns the chair of a committee to the member of the majority party that has served the committee for the longest.

Answer 24

Seniority rule

Question 25

A committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.

Answer 25

Conference committee

Question 26

Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators.

Answer 26

Logrolling

Question 27

Citizens who follow public affairs closely.

Answer 27

Attentive public

Question 28

A petition that, if signed by a majority of the house, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

Answer 28

Discharge petition

Question 29

A provision attached to a bill in order to secures its passage or defeat.

Answer 29

Rider

Question 30

A veto exercised by the president after congress has adjourned. If the president does not take action for ten days, the bill does not become law and is not returned to congress for a possible override.

Answer 30

Pocket veto

Question 31

An action taken by congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a two thirds majority in each chamber.

Answer 31

Override

Question 32

A official who is expected to represent the views of his or her constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.

Answer 32

Delegate

Question 33

An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgement of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.

Answer 33

Trustee