Congress Vocabulary

Question 1

The Senate’s responsibility of checks- and-balancing the president’s powers. Under the Constitution, presidential nominations or executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and the international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by the 2/3rd’s vote.

Answer 1

Advice and Consent

Question 2

to divide up [representatives] by population (Art. 1, Sec.2, cl 3)

Answer 2

Apportionment

Question 3

to pass a law in order to spend money (Art.1, Sec.9, cl 7); officially authorize the amount of money an agency can spend.

Answer 3

Appropriations

Question 4

A concurrent resolution (provided for by the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) that sets forth a Congressional Budget plan, including aggregate budgetary levels, which may be enforced during the subsequent consideration of spending (expenditures) and revenue (taxes) legislation. A plan for the outlays (max. amount of money spent in each category of the budget) agreed by both House and Senate.

Answer 4

Budget Resolution

Question 5

Assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents who encounter a grievance with a federal agency or the federal government.

Answer 5

Casework

Question 6

a legislative branch agency that produces independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the Congressional budget process.

Answer 6

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Question 7

The method by which a super majority (three-fifths or 60 votes) of the Senate may agree to limit further debate and consideration of a question (e.g., a bill, amendment, or other matter). It is a vote to stop a filibuster.

Answer 7

Cloture

Question 8

a panel(sub panel) with members from the house or Senate (or both) tasked with conducting hearings, examining and developing legislation, conducting oversight, and/or helping manage chamber business and activities.

Answer 8

Committee/subcommittee (standing)

Question 9

temporary joint committee created to resolve differences between House-passed and Senate-passed versions of a measure (bill/resolution).

Answer 9

Conference committee

Question 10

agency regulation review done by Congress through a joint resolution: Congress has 60 days to overrule.

Answer 10

Congressional Review

Question 11

specific individuals that live within the Congressional members’ district or state.

Answer 11

Constituents

Question 12

(House only) a majority of representatives from the floor of the House vote to remove a pigeon-holed bill.

Answer 12

Discharge petition

Question 13

as opposed to mandatory spending, government makes choices of what they spend money on through the budget appropriation process.

Answer 13

Discretionary spending

Question 14

powers that are listed in the constitution (Art. 1, sec. 8, cl.1-17)

Answer 14

Enumerated powers

Question 15

programs such as unemployment insurance, disaster relief, or disability payments that provide benefits to all eligible citizens.

Answer 15

Entitlements

Question 16

In the Senate, a tactic to delay or block passage of a measure by preventing it from coming to a vote by not joining the unanimous consent to stop debate on the Senate floor. It may be halted by a closure vote.

Answer 16

Filibuster

Question 17

The drawing of a Congressional district to produce a particular electoral outcome, usually favoring a particular party or race.

Answer 17

Gerrymandering

Question 18

a formal meeting of Congressional committee(or subcommittee) to gather information from witnesses for use in its activities.

Answer 18

Hearing (Committee)

Question 19

an official charge of “Treason, Bribery, or other Crimes and Misdemeanors” for a president, vice president or other civil officers (federal judges). It’s the first step in the constitutional process of removing a government official from office.

Answer 19

Impeachment

Question 20

powers that are not stated in the constitution for Congress but are “ necessary and proper” (Art.1, Sec. 8, Cl. 18) to carry out the enumerated powers.

Answer 20

Implied Powers

Question 21

The loose and informal relationship that exists among a large number of actors who work in broad policy areas. The relationship is among the interests groups, Congressional committees/subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.

Answer 21

Issue Networks

Question 22

a person already holding an elected office and is running for that position again: usually against a challenger.

Answer 22

Incumbent

Question 23

led/exe/lobbyist work on bill security- (sub government). Standing committee is the greatest access point.

Answer 23

Iron Triangle

Question 24

agreeing to vote for a certain bill/amendment in exchange for support of one’s own bill/amendment (You vote for my bill, I vote for yours)

Answer 24

Logrolling

Question 25

interest on debt and entitlement expenditures. Federal spending that is spent based on existing laws rather than the budgeting process.

Answer 25

Mandatory spending

Question 26

a series of tools that Congress had to make sure the executive branch is carrying out laws as they were intended by Congress.

Answer 26

Overnight Function

Question 27

a bill that was stopped in a standing committee is referred to as being pigeon-holed. (almost dead in the House because of a discharge petition; dead in Senate)

Answer 27

Pigeon Hole

Question 28

if Congress adjourns the ten days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of Congress, the bill is considered null in void without the president's formal rejection.

Answer 28

Pocket Veto

Question 29

any extra money spent in congressional district that was not needed for the original purpose of the bill.

Answer 29

Pork Barreling

Question 30

a budget fix bill; no filibuster permitted because only 20 Hurst of debate is permitted on it.

Answer 30

Reconciliation bill

Question 31

The process of redrawing the Congressional districts to reflect increases or decreases in seats allotted to the states, as well as population shifts within a state.

Answer 31

Redistricting

Question 32

a tax whereby people with lower incomes pay a high fraction off their income than people with higher incomes.

Answer 32

Regressive tax

Question 33

Congressional districts that have over 55% of the constituents voting for the congress person consistently. They often stay in Congress longer and become part of leadership.

Answer 33

Safe Districts

Question 34

time of continuous service on a committee. It is used primarily in the Senate for leadership positions.

Answer 34

Seniority

Question 35

a representative district that electors chose one person to represent all of them in the House of Representatives. It is a slow called "single winner voting" or "winner takes all". This is often blamed for keeping 3rd party candidates from winning congressional seats.

Answer 35

Single Member Districts

Question 36

Committees that's are both houses to which proposed bills are referred to before they are debated on the floor; continue form one Congressional term to the next; screen bills are introduced in either chamber and oversees the agencies that carry our laws that they screened. it is where most of the work in Congress is done. (especially in the House)

Answer 36

Standing Committees

Question 37

an elected representative who listens to constituents' opinions and then uses their best judgment to make a final decision.

Answer 37

Trustee

Question 38

legislative/executive branches are of the same, or of different, parties

Answer 38

Unified/Divided Government

Question 39

programs that federal government requires States to implement without federal funding. (ruled unconstitutional)

Answer 39

Unfunded mandates

Question 40

48 hrs Pres. informs, within 60 days Congress gives permission: 30 days troops move out if no permission.

Answer 40

War Powers Resolution (1973)