All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which amendment to the Constitution provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators?
Answer: 17th Amendment. Changed from state legislature selection to popular vote.
Flashcard 2: What are midterm elections?
Answer: Elections held halfway through a president's term. Occur in even-numbered years without presidential races.
Flashcard 3: Define 'gerrymandering.'
Answer: Drawing district boundaries to favor a party. Manipulates electoral boundaries for political advantage.
Flashcard 4: Which body has the power to impeach the President?
Answer: The House of Representatives. Constitutional role as prosecutor in impeachment process.
Flashcard 5: Which body holds the trial for an impeached President?
Answer: The Senate. Acts as jury to determine guilt in impeachment cases.
Flashcard 6: What is an incumbent?
Answer: Current holder of a political office. Enjoys electoral advantages from name recognition and resources.
Flashcard 7: What does the term 'lame duck' refer to in politics?
Answer: An official in the final period of office. Period between election defeat and successor's inauguration.
Flashcard 8: What is a 'standing committee' in Congress?
Answer: Permanent committee with specific duties. Continues across multiple sessions with ongoing jurisdiction.
Flashcard 9: What does 'bicameral' mean in the context of Congress?
Answer: Having two legislative chambers. System divides legislative power between two houses.
Flashcard 10: What is the term for a non-binding vote or resolution?
Answer: Sense of Congress. Expresses opinion without force of law.
Flashcard 11: What is the term for the yearly address by the President to Congress?
Answer: State of the Union Address. Annual constitutional requirement for presidential report.
Flashcard 12: What is 'pork barrel' spending?
Answer: Government spending for localized projects. Funding that benefits specific districts or regions.
Flashcard 13: What is a 'quorum' in the context of Congress?
Answer: Minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually requires majority of members to be present.
Flashcard 14: What is a 'rider' in legislative terms?
Answer: An additional provision added to a bill. Often unrelated amendment attached to popular bills.
Flashcard 15: What is a 'pocket veto'?
Answer: President's indirect veto by not signing a bill. Occurs when Congress adjourns within 10 days.
Flashcard 16: What is the significance of the Rules Committee in the House?
Answer: Determines the rules for debate on a bill. Controls timing and amendment process for legislation.
Flashcard 17: What is the role of a conference committee?
Answer: Resolve differences in House and Senate bills. Reconciles different versions passed by each chamber.
Flashcard 18: What is the purpose of a congressional whip?
Answer: Ensure party discipline in voting. Counts votes and maintains party unity.
Flashcard 19: What is a primary election?
Answer: Election to determine a party's candidate. Narrows field before the general election.
Flashcard 20: What is a caucus in the context of congressional elections?
Answer: Meeting of party members to select candidates. Alternative to primary elections in some states.
Flashcard 21: Identify the term for when a Senator speaks at length to delay a vote.
Answer: Filibuster. Unique Senate tactic to block legislation through delay.
Flashcard 22: What is a cloture motion in the Senate?
Answer: Procedure to end a filibuster. Requires 60 votes to invoke and end debate.
Flashcard 23: Which type of primary allows only registered party members to vote?
Answer: Closed primary. Restricts participation to maintain party unity.
Flashcard 24: Which type of primary allows any registered voter to participate?
Answer: Open primary. Allows crossover voting between party lines.
Flashcard 25: Define 'safe seat' in congressional elections.
Answer: A district consistently won by one party. Predictable outcome reduces competitive elections.
Flashcard 26: What is the process of dividing seats in the House among states called?
Answer: Apportionment. Based on state population from the decennial census.
Flashcard 27: What is the purpose of a 'select committee'?
Answer: Temporary committee for specific issues. Created to investigate particular problems or events.
Flashcard 28: What is the term for a proposed law presented to Congress?
Answer: Bill. Formal proposal that must pass both chambers.
Flashcard 29: What is a 'majority-minority district'?
Answer: A district where a minority group is the majority. Created to ensure minority representation in Congress.
Flashcard 30: What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?
Answer: 6 years. Longer term provides stability in the upper chamber.