Unit 2: Legislative Branch

Question 1

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 1

Legislature that is divided into two houses, for the US, it’s the House of Reps and Senate.

Question 2

Quorum

Answer 2

A certain number of government officials must be present for a decision to take place

Question 3

Franking Privlage

Answer 3

The ability to send mail by ones signature rather than postage

Question 4

Majority Leader

Answer 4

The chief spokesperson in the Senate for their party

Question 5

Minority Leader

Answer 5

The floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in congress

Question 6

Whip

Answer 6

An official of a party that helps the party leader know what the party members are thinking

Question 7

Congressional Caucus

Answer 7

A group of members of congress that push a political ideology or interests

Question 8

Filibuster

Answer 8

Unlimited debate meant to stall or kill a bill

Question 9

Gerrymandering

Answer 9

Redrawing district boundaries to favor a political party

Question 10

Standing Committee

Answer 10

The permanent committees of each house with the power to report bills in both House and Senate

Question 11

Select Committee

Answer 11

A temporary Committee in a house made for a specific purpose and a limited time

Question 12

Joint Committee

Answer 12

Committee in which both senators and representatives serve

Question 13

Conference Committee

Answer 13

A type of joint committee made to resolve differences in House and Senate versions of a piece of legislation.

Question 14

Discharge Petition

Answer 14

A means of bringing a bill to the floor out of committee to consider it

Question 15

Unanimous Consent

Answer 15

An agreement on the terms and rules of consideration for a bill or other measure

Question 16

Political/Policy Agenda

Answer 16

Ideologies and policies issued by political party’s or groups

Question 16

Logrolling

Answer 16

An agreement between two politicians agree on to support eachother

Question 17

Divided Government

Answer 17

When different parties control Congress and The White House

Question 18

Unified Government

Answer 18

When the same party controls both the White House and both parts of the Legislative Branch

Question 19

Hold

Answer 19

A practice where a senator can inform Senate leadership that they disapprove of a decision

Question 20

Earmarks

Answer 20

Funds for a specific project by the legislation

Question 21

Pork Barrel Legislation

Answer 21

Legislation that provides benefits to constituents in a
particular district or state in the hope of winning their votes in return. For example:
providing funding to build a bridge in a particular city

Question 22

Trustee

Answer 22

A member of congress that votes for the greater good of the country rather than individualistic goals

Question 23

Delegate

Answer 23

Someone who speaks on behalf of an organization at a meeting

Question 24

Politico

Answer 24

A person who acts like a trustee or a delegate, depending on the situation

Question 25

Cloture Rule

Answer 25

Limits a filibuster to less than 30 hours

Question 26

Reapportionment

Answer 26

The appointing of Congress members in their new seats

Question 27

Malapportionment

Answer 27

The practice of distributing House seats into unequal districts, which diminishes certain district’s representative voice.

Question 28

Redistricting

Answer 28

The process in which districts are redrawn

Question 29

Constituency

Answer 29

The voters in a district or state that are represented my a member of congress

Question 30

Party Polarization

Answer 30

Strong division in the views of Republicans and Democrats on the legislative agenda