Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a Continuing Resolution (CR)?
What is the primary purpose of a Continuing Resolution (CR)?
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'logrolling' in the legislative process?
Which of the following best describes the concept of 'logrolling' in the legislative process?
What is the implication of a 'closed rule' in the context of bill consideration?
What is the implication of a 'closed rule' in the context of bill consideration?
Which action would most likely be associated with the term 'borked'?
Which action would most likely be associated with the term 'borked'?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes 'discretionary spending' from other types of government spending?
What distinguishes 'discretionary spending' from other types of government spending?
Signup and view all the answers
Which term describes the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries to favor a specific political party?
Which term describes the process of redrawing legislative district boundaries to favor a specific political party?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of a conference committee in the legislative process?
What is the primary function of a conference committee in the legislative process?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following accurately defines a 'constituent' in the context of government representation?
Which of the following accurately defines a 'constituent' in the context of government representation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of the 'cloture rule' in the legislative process?
What is the purpose of the 'cloture rule' in the legislative process?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the 'seniority rule' within a legislative body?
Which of the following best describes the 'seniority rule' within a legislative body?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a 'rider' in the context of legislative practices?
What is a 'rider' in the context of legislative practices?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the term for the period after an election when outgoing members still hold their positions?
What is the term for the period after an election when outgoing members still hold their positions?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these describes 'Legislative Oversight'?
Which of these describes 'Legislative Oversight'?
Signup and view all the answers
Flashcards
CR (Continuing Resolution)
CR (Continuing Resolution)
Temporary funding legislation for the government.
Nuclear Option
Nuclear Option
A method to end a Senate filibuster with fewer votes than usual.
Redistricting
Redistricting
The process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts.
Logrolling
Logrolling
Signup and view all the flashcards
Discharge Petition
Discharge Petition
Signup and view all the flashcards
Bicameral
Bicameral
Signup and view all the flashcards
Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering
Signup and view all the flashcards
Census
Census
Signup and view all the flashcards
Quorum
Quorum
Signup and view all the flashcards
Filibuster
Filibuster
Signup and view all the flashcards
Deficit Spending
Deficit Spending
Signup and view all the flashcards
Omnibus Bill
Omnibus Bill
Signup and view all the flashcards
Public Policy
Public Policy
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
Bicameral and Unicameral Legislatures
- Bicameral: Two-chamber legislature (e.g., US Congress)
- Unicameral: One-chamber legislature
Legislative Sessions and Apportionment
- Session: Meeting period for lawmakers to pass laws.
- Apportionment: Dividing legislature seats based on population.
- Reapportionment: Redistributing seats after a population count.
- Census: Population count every ten years.
- Constituent: Person represented by an elected official.
Electoral Systems and Gerrymandering
- Single-Member District: One representative per district.
- At-Large: Representative for an entire state or area.
- Gerrymandering: Changing district lines to favor one political party.
- Redistricting: Redrawing voting district lines.
Congressional Structure and Operations
- Continuous Body: Part of the Senate stays in office after elections.
- Congressional Record: Official notes of Congress debates and decisions.
- Special Session: President calls Congress for urgent business.
- Standing Committee: Permanent, focuses on specific topics.
- Select Committee: Temporary, handles special issues.
- Joint Committee: Members from both chambers work together.
- Conference Committee: Resolves differences between House and Senate bills.
- Seniority Rule: Longer-serving members get better positions.
- Quorum: Minimum number of members needed for a meeting.
- House Rules Committee: Decides how and when bills are debated.
- Filibuster: Talking long to block a Senate vote.
- Cloture Rule: Ends a filibuster with a vote.
- Rider: An addition to a bill.
- Pigeonhole: Ignoring a bill to kill it.
- Discharge Petition: Forces a vote on a stuck bill.
- Political Junket: Often unnecessary trip by officials.
- Franking Privilege: Free mailing for Congress members.
- Honoraria: Payment for speaking engagements.
- Legislative Immunity: Protection from lawsuits for legislative work.
- Off-Year Elections: Elections between presidential years.
Types of Bills and Legislative Processes
- Bill: A proposed law.
- Marked-Up Bill: A bill revised in committee
- Omnibus Bill: Large bill covering many topics.
- Closed Rule: No changes allowed to a bill.
- Open Rule: Changes allowed to a bill.
- Hold: Delaying a Senate vote.
Congressional Roles and Responsibilities
- Legislative Oversight: Watching over government programs.
- Electoral Function: Congress's role in elections.
- CR (Continuing Resolution): Temporary government funding.
- Safe Districts: Districts where one party always wins.
Governmental Expenditures and Policies
- Public Policy: Government rules and laws for public issues.
- Deficit Spending: Spending more than the government earns.
- Public Debt: Total money the government owes.
- Entitlement Costs: Guaranteed government benefits (like Social Security).
- Discretionary Spending: Optional government spending.
- Earmarks: Money for specific projects in bills.
- Pork Barrel: Local projects to please voters.
- Fiscal Year: Government's financial year (October to September).
- Gridlock: Inability of government to pass laws due to disagreements.
Special Circumstances and Groups
- Lame-Duck Session: Period after elections when outgoing members still serve.
- Watchdog Group: Monitors government for accountability.
- State of the Union Absence: One Cabinet member staying away for security.
- Special Projects: Funding for local projects.
- CHC (Congressional Hispanic Caucus): Congressional Hispanic group.
- CBC (Congressional Black Caucus): Congressional Black group.
- Congressional Research Service: Provides information to Congress.
- CBO (Congressional Budget Office): Gives budget advice to Congress.
- Nuclear Option: Ending a Senate filibuster with fewer votes
- Vetting: Thoroughly checking.
- Borking: Rejecting someone for political reasons.
- Delegate (Voting Style): Votes based on people's opinions.
- Trustee (Voting Style): Votes based on personal judgment.
- Logrolling: Trading votes to pass bills.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the differences between bicameral and unicameral legislatures, and gain insights into legislative sessions, apportionment, and electoral systems. This quiz also delves into concepts like gerrymandering and redistricting. Test your knowledge of how these systems operate in the context of government.
