AP Government Chapter 12 Flashcards

Key Concepts in Congressional Operations

• Incumbency: Refers to the status of currently holding an office, often providing advantages in elections.
• Franking Privilege: Allows members of Congress to send mail to constituents without charge, facilitating communication.
• Reapportionment: Involves reallocating House of Representatives seats among states after each census based on population changes.
• Redistricting: The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries following reapportionment outcomes.
• Gerrymandering: The manipulation of district boundaries to favor a specific political party or incumbent.

Representation Models

• Majority-Minority Districts: Formed to ensure that a majority of the district's population belongs to a specific minority group, increasing their chance of election.
• Trustee Model: Legislators make decisions based on their own judgment rather than strictly adhering to constituents' views.
• Instructed Delegate Model: Legislators are expected to represent constituents' views, even when they conflict with their own beliefs.

Legislative Processes and Techniques

• Pork Barrel Spending: The use of government funds for localized projects meant to please constituents and win votes.
• Earmark: Specific provisions within legislation that designate funds for particular projects.
• Casework: Personalized assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents, often involving interactions with government services.
• Oversight: Congress's authority to monitor and review executive actions to ensure compliance with laws.
• Agenda Setting: The power of Congress to determine which issues will be considered for legislation.

Bill Lifecycle in Congress

• Committee Review: Specialized committees assess proposed legislation based on expertise.
• Hopper: A box in the House for members to submit proposed bills.
• Mark Up: The committee process where legislators adjust bill language and propose amendments.
• Hearings: Sessions for gathering expert opinion and information on proposed legislation.
• Discharge Petition: A tool used to force a bill out of committee for broader consideration in the House.
• Rules Committee: Regulates debate on the House floor, including the length of discussion and amendable points.

Legislative Leadership

• Speaker of the House: The chief officer of the House, elected by the majority party.
• Majority Leader: A key figure in the House, aids the Speaker in strategy and legislative agenda.
• Whip: A congressional leader responsible for party discipline and ensuring member votes align with party lines.
• President Pro Tempore: A senator of the majority party who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Legislative Tactics

• Filibuster: A Senate practice of prolonging debate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.
• Cloture: A method to end a filibuster, requiring the approval of 60 senators.
• Logrolling: Vote trading among legislators, where support for one bill is exchanged for support for another.

Committees Structure

• Standing Committee: Permanent committees responsible for specific legislative areas.
• Select Committee: Temporary committees formed to address specific issues.
• Joint Committee: Comprises members from both the House and Senate to address common concerns.
• Subcommittee: Smaller divisions within committees that focus on specific areas of legislation.

Final Legislative Steps

• Conference Committee: A panel formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
• Pocket Veto: A method used by the president to indirectly veto a bill by not signing it within ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Test your knowledge on key terms from AP Government Chapter 12 with these flashcards. Each card features a word along with its definition to help reinforce your understanding of essential concepts. Perfect for study sessions before exams!