Master this deck with 52 terms through effective study methods.
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The theory of congressional voting behavior which assumes that members vote on the basis of their own beliefs because the array of conflicting pressures on members cancel out one another.
A legislative assembly composed of two separate houses, such as the U.S. Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
caucus (congressional) An association of members of Congress created to advocate a political ideology, a constituency, or regional or economic interests. Almost a hundred of these groups now exist, and they rival political parties as a source of policy leadership
informal nomenclature for a bill on the Senate floor that attracts many, often unrelated, floor amendments. The amendments which adorn the bill may provide special benefits to various groups or interests.
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.
a Senate procedure that limits further consideration of a pending proposal to thirty hours in order to end a filibuster.
consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation.
A resolution adopted by both the House and Senate that does not require the signature of the chief executive and that does not hold the force of law.
A joint committee of Congress appointed by the House and Senate to resolve disagreements on a particular bill.
Bicameral legislature that contains the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch
a federal agency within the legislative branch of the United States government that provides budget and economic information to Congress.
Staff agency looks up facts and indicates the arguments for and against proposed policy. Keeps track of the status of major bills before Congress.
An alliance between republicans and conservative democrats
The idea that elected officials should mirror or resemble the demographic characteristics (e.g., race, gender, ethnicity) of their constituents.
a means of bringing a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from the committee by "discharging" the committee from further consideration of a bill or resolution.
If a senator is in doubt about the outcome of a voice vote, he or she may request a division, whereby the presiding officer counts the senators voting yea and those voting no, to confirm the voice vote. Division votes are also commonly used for votes on treaties.
a process by which a bill being filibustered could be set aside on one track, while other bills could be moved through the Senate on another track.
when congress retains the power to vote yes or no on a trade agreement but is not allowed to add or subtract provisions.
an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
allows members of congress to send official mail with their signature instead of postage.
it is a legislative branch agency that audits, evaluates, and investigates federal programs and expenditures for Congress.
Manipulating the boundaries of districts in order to favor one party or group
an a payment made, without the giver recognizing themselves as having any liability or legal obligation, to a person for his or her services in a volunteer capacity or for services for which fees are not traditionally required.
a committee made up of members of two houses in a bicameral legislature to discuss issues concerning both houses.
legislature that needs votes from the senate and the house of representatives, and needs to be presented to the president for approval or disapproval. The legislature has the same effect as a bill, but joint resolution is usually used in continuing or emergency appropriations.
The majority leader is the chief spokesperson and strategist for the majority party in either the House or the Senate. In the Senate, they are the most powerful member. In the House, they are second to the Speaker.
A district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district
The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation. (They mark-up legislation.)
The leader of the minority party in a legislative body. There is a Senate and House minority leader. Their main purpose is to organize resistance to the majority party.
Multiple referral refers to when a bill is referred to a second committee after the first has finished acting.
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor
The theory of congressional voting behavior which assumes that members make voting decisions to please fellow members and obtain their goodwill. Such behavior is possible since constituents seldom know how their representatives vote. Members vote by following cues provided by colleagues
a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.
A high-ranking senator of the majority party who presides over the US Senate in the absence of the vice president
A congressional or parliamentary bill involving the private interests of a particular individual, corporation, or local unit.
A public bill is a proposed law which would apply to everyone within its jurisdiction
A calling of the roll in either house of congress to see whether the number of representatives in attendance meets the minimum number required to conduct official business
The view that when constituents have a clear view on some issue and a legislator's vote on that issue is likely to attract their attention
procedural rule in the House that allows only certain kinds of amendments to be made to a bill (usually limits or restricts amendments to specific sections).
A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering "yea" or "nay" to their names.
considers all bills reported from policy and fiscal committees and determines whether, and in what order, to schedule their consideration on the floor of the House
a legislative committee appointed to inquire into or to consider a particular matter or bill.(a small committee appointed for a special purpose) IRJ
refers to a tactical agreement among senators not to vote for any presidential nominee who is opposed by the senators from the nominee's home state.IRJ
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.
Legislation that relates to the operations of a single chamber or expresses the collective opinion of that chamber on public policy issues
An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection
Leader of the House of Representatives who maintains order and oversees activities of the chamber. Is 2nd in line for the presidency behind the VP
Permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area
The correspondence between representatives' opinions and those of their constituents
A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, one for the "yeas" and one for the "nays." Names may or may not be recorded.
vote taken by calling for ayes and nos and estimating which response is stronger
A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline