Government Chapter 12 Vocabulary

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Questions and Answers

What is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives called?

Speaker of the House

Who presides over the Senate?

President of the Senate

What is the role of the president pro tempore?

To preside in the absence of the president of the Senate

What is a party caucus?

A closed meeting of a party's House or Senate members Signup and view all the answers

What do floor leaders do?

Carry out party decisions and steer legislative action Signup and view all the answers

What are whips in the context of the legislature?

Assistants to the floor leaders responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes Signup and view all the answers

What is a committee chairman?

A member who heads a standing committee Signup and view all the answers

What does the seniority rule entail?

Reserving top positions for members with the longest record of service Signup and view all the answers

What is a standing committee?

A permanent committee in a legislative body Signup and view all the answers

What is a select committee?

A legislative committee created for a limited time and specific purpose Signup and view all the answers

What is a joint committee?

A legislative committee composed of members of both houses Signup and view all the answers

What is a conference committee?

A temporary joint committee created to reconcile differences between two houses' versions of a bill Signup and view all the answers

What is a bill?

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration Signup and view all the answers

What are joint resolutions?

A proposal for action that has the force of law when passed Signup and view all the answers

What are concurrent resolutions?

A statement of position on an issue used by both the House and Senate acting jointly Signup and view all the answers

What are resolutions in a legislative context?

A measure relating to the business of either house or expressing an opinion Signup and view all the answers

What is a rider?

An unpopular provision added to an important bill Signup and view all the answers

What is a discharge petition?

A procedure enabling members to force a bill onto the floor for consideration Signup and view all the answers

What are subcommittees?

Divisions of existing committees formed to address specific issues Signup and view all the answers

What is the Committee of the Whole?

A committee consisting of an entire legislative body Signup and view all the answers

What is a quorum?

The least number of members who must be present to conduct business Signup and view all the answers

What does engrossed mean in legislative terms?

To print a bill in its final form Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

Various tactics aimed at defeating a bill by preventing a final vote Signup and view all the answers

What is cloture?

A procedure used to limit or end floor debate Signup and view all the answers

What is a veto?

The power of the chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature Signup and view all the answers

What is a pocket veto?

A type of veto a chief executive may use after the legislature has adjourned Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legislative Leadership and Structure

Speaker of the House: Presiding officer in the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party.
President of the Senate: The Vice President of the United States serves in this role; in state legislatures, it may be the lieutenant governor or a senator.
President Pro Tempore: A senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the President of the Senate.

Party Organization

Party Caucus: A closed meeting where members of a political party in the House or Senate gather, often called a party conference.
Floor Leaders: Party-selected members in the House or Senate who guide party actions and legislative strategies.
Whips: Assistants to floor leaders responsible for vote management and member communication.

Committees and Legislative Process

Committee Chairman: Leader of a standing committee within a legislative body.
Seniority Rule: Traditional guideline granting top positions in Congress, especially chairmanships, to members with the longest service.
Standing Committee: Permanent subunit of a legislative body addressing specific subjects.
Select Committee: Temporary legislative committee formed for a defined purpose; also referred to as a special committee.
Joint Committee: Composed of members from both the House and Senate.
Conference Committee: Temporary joint committee tasked with reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Legislative Proposals and Resolutions

Bill: A proposed law awaiting consideration by a legislative body.
Joint Resolutions: Proposals that become law upon passage, often related to specific or temporary matters.
Concurrent Resolutions: Joint statements on issues from both houses that lack legal force and do not require presidential approval.
Resolutions: Measures related to either house's business or opinions, which do not carry legal weight.

Legislative Tactics and Procedures

Rider: Controversial addition to an important bill designed to pass through Congress inadvertently.
Discharge Petition: Allows members to bring a bill that has been stalled in committee to the floor for voting.
Subcommittees: Smaller divisions within a committee focused on specific issues.

Legislative Operations

Committee of the Whole: Inclusive committee involving the entire legislative body to streamline business procedures.
Quorum: Minimum number of members required for a legislative body to conduct business, typically a majority.

Finalization and Voting

Engrossed: Final printed version of a bill.
Filibuster: Tactics, often lengthy speeches, employed to delay or prevent a vote on a bill in the Senate.
Cloture: Procedure to limit or end debate on a bill in the legislative body.
Veto: The power of the chief executive to reject a bill, originating from the Latin term meaning "I forbid."
Pocket Veto: A type of veto that occurs when the executive inaction on a bill happens after the legislature has adjourned, failing to sign or reject it within the specified time.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 12 of government studies. Each term is crucial for understanding the roles within the legislative branch. Learn essential vocabulary to better grasp the functions of the House and Senate.