Chapter 11 Terms Flashcards
(33 cards)
pork barrell
jobs and policies targeted to benefit specific constituencies, with the aim of helping local reps win re-election
descriptive representation
when a member of Congress shares the characteristics (such as gender, race, ethnicity, or religion) of his or her constituents
substantive representation
when a member of Congress represents constituents’ interests and policy concerns
trustee
A member of Congress who represents constituents’ interests while also taking into account national, collective moral concerns that sometimes cause the member to vote against the wishes of the majority of constituents
delegate
A member of Congress who loyally represents constituents’ best interests
politico
A member who acts as a delegate on issues his constituents care about, and as a trustee on more-complex or less salient issues
casework
helping constituents to solve bureaucratic problems or specific concerns related to government. Great way to look great.
electoral connection
The idea that congressional behavior is guided by members’ desire for re-election
redistricting
redrawing geographic boundaries of legislative districts. Happens every ten years to ensure districts remain equal population
logrolling
a form of reciprocity in which a member votes for a bill they might not otherwise support in order for votes on stuff they care about
earmarks
federally funded local projects attached to bills passing through congress
señority
the informal congressional norm of choosing the member who has served the longest on a committee to be the committee chair
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whip system
an organization of house leaders to work to disseminate information and promote party unity in voting on legislation
speaker vs maj leader
speaker: leader of House
maj: leader of Party
roll call vote
a recorded vote on legislation, members may vote yes, no, abstain, or present
party vote
a vote in which the majority of one party opposes the position of the majority of the other party
party unity
the extent to which members of congress in the same party vote together on party votes
standing committees
Committees that are a permanent part of the house or senate structure, holding more importance and authority than other committees.
select committees
Committees in the house or senate created to address a specific issue for one or two terms
joint committee
members of both chambers, rarely with legislative authority. can make recommendations and appraisals
conference committees
both chambers, to resolve differences in passed legislation
distributive theory
the idea that members of Congress will join committees that best serve the interests of their districts and that committee members will support each others’ legislation
informational theory
the idea that having committees in Congress made up of experts in specific policy areas helps to insure eel-informed policy decisions.
markups
one of the steps through which a bill becomes a law in which the final wording of a bill is determined
