Chapter 13 Vocab

Question 1

Safe Districts

Answer 1

Districts in which incumbents win by margins over 55%

Question 2

Conservative Coalition

Answer 2

An alliance between republican and conservative democrats

Question 3

Majority Leader

Answer 3

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the house or the senate

Question 4

Minority leader

Answer 4

Leader of the minority party in congress

Question 5

Whip

Answer 5

A senator or rep who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

Question 6

Party Polarization

Answer 6

A vote in which a majority of democratic legislators oppose a majority of republican legislators

Question 7

Caucus

Answer 7

An association of congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional ethnic or economic interest.

Question 8

Standing committees

Answer 8

Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a subject area

Question 9

Select Committees

Answer 9

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose

Question 10

Marginal Districts

Answer 10

Political districts in which candidates elected to the house win in close elections typically by less than 55%

Question 11

Joint committees

Answer 11

Committees which have senators and reps

Question 12

Conference committee

Answer 12

A joint committee appointed to resolve differences in the senate and house versions of the same bill

Question 13

Public bill

Answer 13

A legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern

Question 14

Private bill

Answer 14

A legislative bill that deals with specific private personal or local matters

Question 15

Simple resolution

Answer 15

An expression of opinion either in the house or the senate to settle procedural matters in either body.

Question 16

Concurrent resolution

Answer 16

An expression of opinion w/o the force of law that requires the approval of both house and senate but not the president

Question 17

Joint resolution

Answer 17

A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses and the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president

Question 18

Multiple referral

Answer 18

A congressional process whereby a bill may be referred to several committees

Question 19

Sequential referral

Answer 19

A congressional process by which a speaker may send a bill to a 2nd committee after the first is finished acting

Question 20

Discharge petition

Answer 20

A device by which any member of the house, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor

Question 21

Closed rule

Answer 21

An order from the house rules committee that sets a time limit on debate. Forbids a bill from being amended on the floor

Question 22

Open rule

Answer 22

An order from the house rules committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor

Question 23

Restrictive rule

Answer 23

An order from the house rules committee that permits certain kinds of amendments but not others to be made on a bill on the floor

Question 24

Quorum

Answer 24

The min number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in congress.

Question 25

Quorum call

Answer 25

A roll call in either house to see wether the min number of reps are present

Question 26

Cloture rule

Answer 26

A rule used by the senate to end or limit debate

Question 27

Double tracking

Answer 27

A procedure to keep the senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the senate can get on with other stuff

Question 28

Voice vote

Answer 28

A congressional voting procedure in which members shout yea in approval or nay in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly (or anonymously)

Question 29

Division vote

Answer 29

A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted

Question 30

Teller vote

Answer 30

A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers the yeas 1st and the nays 2nd

Question 31

Roll call vote

Answer 31

A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering yea or nay to their name

Question 32

Pork barrel legislation

Answer 32

Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

Question 33

Franking privilege

Answer 33

The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage