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Midterm 3
Chapter 11
26
Political Studies
Undergraduate 1
12/01/2006

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Term
reapportionment
Definition
The assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census (population count) State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts
Term
redistricting
Definition
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
Term
safe seat
Definition
An elected office that is predictably won by one party, so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.
Term
incumbents
Definition
The current holders of elected office
Term
bicameralism
Definition
The principle of a 2 house legislature
Term
enumerated powers
Definition
The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution
Term
Speaker
Definition
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
Term
Majority leader
Definition
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
Term
minority leader
Definition
The legislative leaders selected by the minority party as a spokesperson for the opposition
Term
whip
Definition
Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature
Term
filibuster
Definition
A procedural practice int he Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination
Term
cloture
Definition
A procedure for terminating debate/filibusters in the senate. requires 60 votes
Term
senatorial courtesy
Definition
Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointess for approval to senatorys from the states in which the appointees are to work
Term
standing committee
Definition
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Term
joint committee
Definition
A committee composed of members of both the House and Senate;such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations
Term
special or select committee
Definition
A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation
Term
seniority ruel
Definition
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
Term
conference committee
Definition
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form
Term
delegate
Definition
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
Term
trustee
Definition
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
Term
attentive public
Definition
Those citizens who follow public affairs carefully
Term
log rolling
Definition
Mutual aid and vote trading among legislators
Term
discharge petition
Definition
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
Term
rider
Definition
A provision attached to a bill, in order to secure its passage
Term
pocket veto
Definition
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
Term
override
Definition
An action taken by Congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a 2/3 majority in each chamber
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