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Congress Terms
Terms relating to congress for the purpose of education
30
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12th Grade
11/30/2010

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Term
House Rules Committee
Definition
The committee in charge of scheduling debates and creating rules within the House of Representatives
Term
President Pro Tempore
Definition
"President for a time"; elected by the Senate; Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continued service; takes place of V.P. in presiding over Senate chamber in his/her absence
Term
Impeachment
Definition
The process through which a government official has charges brought against him or her. These charges can only be brought about by the House of Representatives; however, the Senate tries those accused after impeachment, and if 2/3 of the Senate members agree, the accused are formally impeached.
Term
Congressional Benefits
Definition
for current members: free mail,give own raises,more money available for re-elections
Term
Constituents
Definition
the people of a congressperso;these people live in said congress member's congressional district
Term
Cloture
Definition
Ends a filibuster; 2/3 of the senate must agree to end the filibuster in order for the cloture to occur
Term
Immunity
Definition
this states that members of Congress cannot be arrested or tried for small misdemeanors while in congress;protects members from political vendettas
Term
Apportionment
Definition
Re-alloting seats in the House to different states(in accordance with population)
Term
17th Amendment
Definition
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. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. ESSENTIALLY, outlines requirements and laws pertaining to the Senate
Term
Mark-Up
Definition
making changes to a bill or law
Term
Differences between House and Senate
Definition
House:435 members, up for re-election every 2 years,"closer" to the people they represent, must be at least 25 years of age,must be a citizen of U.S. for 7 years,in control of own pay raise;senate: 100 members, re-election every 6 years, must be at least 30 years of age, must be a U.S. citizen for 9 years,older,whiter,richer.
Term
President of the Senate
Definition
the Vice President of the U.S. ; if absent, the President Pro Tempore fills this position
Term
Senate Majority Leader
Definition
Leader chosen from majority party in the senate
Term
Congressional Oversight
Definition
refers to the review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs and policy implementation, and it provides the legislative branch with an opportunity to inspect, examine, review and check the executive branch and its agencies.
Term
Qualifications
Definition
House:25 years old minimum, 7 years a citizen of U.S.;Senate:30 years old minimum,9 years a citizen of U.S.
Term
Filibuster
Definition
process of delaying a bill or law from advancing by endless speech or debate
Term
Franking
Definition
The privelege of free mail for those members who are in Congress;often helps incumbent members of congress to be re-elected
Term
Advice and Consent
Definition
the given to the senate to advise the President, ratify treaties and confirm nominations.
Term
Incumbency Advantage
Definition
Have the advantage of being re-elected due to: name recognition, free mail privleges(franking),more access to funds, seniority,pork projects, and "it's the other guy;not out guy"
Term
Standing Committees
Definition
permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities
Term
Party Whip
Definition
The person under the floor-leader for each party;assistant floor-leader
Term
Backgrounds of Congresspeople
Definition
generally:white,wealthy,college educated,have prominent jobs(lawyer,etc.)
Term
Conference Committees
Definition
includes members of house and senate to work out differences between similar bills
Term
Congressional Term Limits
Definition
these are nonexistent and are very controversial amongst the American people(however, members of the Senate are up for re-election every 2 years, and members of the House of Representatives are up for re-election every 2 years)
Term
Redistricting
Definition
Redrawing district lines in accordance to poulation
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
The political process of drawing district lines which favor one party or another
Term
Census
Definition
An asessment taken every 10 years in order to determine population
Term
Bicameral
Definition
Type of legislature found in Congress;consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate
Term
Pork Barrel Legislation
Definition
when money is given to members of congress to fund small,local projects that help the congress person get re-elected in his or her district
Term
Subcommittees
Definition
formed to tackle very specific tasks within the jurisdiction of full committees
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