Government Chapter 5 Test Flashcards

Congressional Committees and Structures

• House Rules Committee: Plays a critical role by potentially halting a bill from reaching a floor vote, influencing the legislative process.
• Select Committee: Formed temporarily to investigate specific issues, allowing focused inquiry and oversight.
• Bicameral Legislature: Composed of two chambers (House and Senate) which promotes checks and balances within Congress, ensuring diverse representation and careful scrutiny of legislation.

Electoral Processes

• Gerrymandering: The practice of redrawing district boundaries to favor a particular political party, impacting electoral outcomes and representation.
• CBO (Congressional Budget Office): An independent agency tasked with analyzing the fiscal implications of proposed programs and legislation, ensuring informed budgetary decisions.

Congressional Leadership and Roles

• Caseworker: Staff member dedicated to handling constituent inquiries and requests, enhancing representative accountability.
• President Pro Tempore: Assumes leadership duties when the Vice President is unavailable, maintaining continuity in Senate functions.
• Committee Chair: Leader of a committee responsible for determining witness testimonies and guiding legislative discussions.

Legislative Processes

• Filibuster: A tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, often requiring strategic management.
• Cloture Resolution: A procedure that allows 60 senators to end a filibuster, facilitating the progress of legislative business.
• Hold: A procedural tool that can obstruct unanimous consent, giving senators the power to delay proceedings.

Key Figures and Historical Context

• Nancy Pelosi: Notable for breaking barriers as the first female Speaker of the House, representing a significant milestone in U.S. political history.
• Elbridge Gerry: Historical figure associated with the practice of redistricting for political advantage, contributing to the term "gerrymandering."

Support Structures in Congress

• Legislative Assistant: Essential staff member responsible for conducting research and drafting bills, enhancing legislative efficiency.
• Senior System: A system that grants leadership roles on committees to members with the longest tenure, promoting experience in legislative processes.
• House Minority Leader: Functions as a counterpart to the Speaker, coordinating strategy and communication for the opposing party in the House.

Other Legislative Aspects

• Censure: A formal expression of disapproval regarding a member's conduct, serving as a disciplinary measure within Congress.
• Complex Legislation: Increasingly intricate laws contribute to a rise in congressional staff requirements, reflecting the evolving nature of policy-making.
• Joint Committee: A temporary group comprised of members from both chambers tasked with researching and reporting on specific topics, fostering collaboration in legislation.