Congress Vocab

Question 1

A bill that is ignored by its committee; to sit the bill aside

Answer 1

Pigeon hole

Question 2

An oddly shaped election district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group

Answer 2

Gerrymander

Question 3

Legislation earmaking funds for certain purposes

Answer 3

Appropriations bill

Question 4

A population count taken by the census bureau

Answer 4

Census

Question 5

Gov’t program that provides health care for the aged

Answer 5

Medicare

Question 6

Refusal to sign a bill or resolution

Answer 6

Veto

Question 7

To accuse govt officials of misconduct in office

Answer 7

Impeach

Question 8

A person from a legislator’s district

Answer 8

Constituents

Question 9

Years of service, which is used as a consideration for assigning committee members

Answer 9

Seniority system

Question 10

Recognized officer over a legislative body who presides over the chamber in absence of the normal presiding officer

Answer 10

President pro tempore

Question 11

Legislature consistint of two houses

Answer 11

Bicameral

Question 12

A plan for making and spending money

Answer 12

Budget

Question 13

Allows a person to be punished for an action that was not against a law when it was committed

Answer 13

Ex post facto

Question 14

Spending for federal programs that must receive annual approval

Answer 14

Discretionary spending

Question 15

Federal spending required by law that continues w/out the need for annual approvals by Congress

Answer 15

Mandatory spending

Question 16

A procedure used in the senate to limit debate on a bill

Answer 16

Cloture

Question 17

A voting method in which those in favor say yea and those against say no

Answer 17

Voice vote

Question 18

Voting method in the senate in which members voice their votes in turn

Answer 18

Roll calll vote

Question 19

Annual report filled local, state federal govt detailing income earned and taxes owed

Answer 19

Tax return

Question 20

The presiding officer of the United States House of representatives

Answer 20

Speaker of the house

Question 21

The right of senators and representatives to send job related mail w/out paying postage

Answer 21

Franking privilege

Question 22

President’s power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

Answer 22

Pocket veto

Question 23

An amendment attached to a bill that has little or no relation to the subject of the bill

Answer 23

Riders

Question 24

Representative of an interest group who contacts law makers or other gov’t officials directly to influence their policy making

Answer 24

Lobbyist

Question 25

The work that lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem

Answer 25

Casework

Question 26

Clause in article i, section 8 of the constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its expressed powers

Answer 26

Elastic clause

Question 27

A law that punishes a person accused of a crime w/out a trial or a fair hearing in court

Answer 27

Bill of attainder

Question 28

The assistant to the floor leader in each house of of Congress who tries to persuade party members to vote for bills the party supports

Answer 28

Party whip

Question 29

The political party that has more members in Congress or in a state legislature

Answer 29

Majority party

Question 30

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

Answer 30

Writ of habeas corpus

Question 31

In both the house of rep and the senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong

Answer 31

Minority party

Question 32

A resolution that is passed by both houses of Congress

Answer 32

Joint resolution

Question 33

An organization of people with some common interest who try to influence gov't decisions

Answer 33

Special interest group

Question 34

Gov't project grant that primarily benefits the home district or state

Answer 34

Pork barrel projects

Question 35

Permanent committee that continues work from session to session in its Congress

Answer 35

Standing committee

Question 36

A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bill's sponsor withdraws it

Answer 36

Filibuster