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The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census (population count) State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts |
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The redreawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population |
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An elected office that is predictably won by one party, so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted. |
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The current holders of elected office |
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The principle of a 2 house legislature |
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The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution |
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The presiding officer in teh House of Representatives, formally elected by the House but actually selected by the majority party. 3rd in line for presidency |
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The legislative leader selected by the majority party who helps plan party strategy, confers with other party leaders, and tries to keep memebers of teh party in line |
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The legislative leaders selected by the minority party as a spokesperson for the opposition |
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Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature |
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A procedural practice int he Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination |
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A procedure for terminating debate/filibusters in the senate. requires 60 votes |
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Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointess for approval to senatorys from the states in which the appointees are to work |
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A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area |
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A committee composed of members of both the House and Senate;such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations |
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special or select committee |
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A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation |
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A legislative pract tha assigns that chair of a committee or subcommittee to the member of the majority party with the longest continuous service on teh committee |
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Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form |
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An official who is expected to represent the views of his constituents even when personally holding different views; one interpretation of the the role of a legislator |
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An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances; one interpreation of the role of the legislator |
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Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully |
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Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators |
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Petition that, if signed by a majority of the members of the House will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration |
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A provision attached to a bill, in order to secure its passage |
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A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days, the bill does not become law and is not returened to Congress for a possible override |
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An action taken by Congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a 2/3 majority in each chamber |
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