Legislative Branch

pigeonhole

• To set aside a bill in a standing committee that is no longer being considered

• To pass a bill without discussion

• To amend a bill during a committee meeting

• To reject a bill outright

reapportion

• redistribute the 435 congressional representative seat numbers per state according to the census report of population change in each state.

• allocate additional congressional seats to states with increasing populations.

• eliminate congressional seats from states with decreasing populations.

• create new congressional districts based on state boundaries.

pork barreling

• The practice of using government funds for projects that benefit a specific group of voters.

• A method of reducing government spending on public projects.

• The allocation of funds for military projects to enhance national security.

• The process of redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor.

constituent

• a person or organization from a legislator's district or state

• a type of legislation proposed by a member of Congress

• a government official elected to represent a district

• a legal document outlining the responsibilities of a government

majority leader

• the legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate

• the leader of the opposition party in the House or Senate

• a member of Congress who represents a minority party

• the president of the Senate

Speaker of the House

• A leader with the most power in the House of Representatives; leads the floor proceedings; chosen by the House members.

• A member of the Senate who oversees legislative sessions.

• The president of the United States who influences House decisions.

• A representative elected to serve a single term in the House.

bicameral

• A legislature consists of one part or house.

• A legislature consists of two parts, or houses. Example: Congress has a Senate and a House of Representatives.

• A legislature is a type of judicial body.

• A legislature is a group of citizens elected to enforce laws.

casework

• Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get from an executive agency.

• A process by which Congress members create new laws and regulations.

• The act of reviewing and amending existing legislation in Congress.

• A method used by Congress to conduct investigations and hearings.

standing committee

• A temporary committee established for a specific purpose.

• A permanent committee established in a legislature, each focusing on a different policy area (subject) than the others.

• A committee that meets only during the legislative session.

• A committee that is formed by the executive branch to oversee government operations.

redistricting

• The process of drawing new boundaries for electoral districts to reflect population changes.

• A method of voting that allows citizens to directly elect their representatives.

• The act of changing the voting age in a country.

• A system for determining the number of representatives each state has based on its population.