AP Gov- Chapter 4 Vocabulary

legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

trading of votes on legislation by members of congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

efforts by congress to ensure that execute branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments as well as their officials, are acting legally and in accordance with congressional goals

a body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or senator

the process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data

states' redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census.

the intentional use of redistricting to benefit a specific interest or group of voters.

drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party

a district in which voters of a minority ethnicity constitute an electoral majority within that electoral district.

the uneven distribution of the population among legislative districts.

being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election.

the leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members.

an organization that raises money for candidates and campaigns.

the person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives.

a member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline.

the head of the party with the second-highest number of seats in Congress, chosen by the party's members.

the person who has the most power in the Senate and is the head of the party with the most seats.

leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda.

a motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote.

a powerful committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor.

consists of all members of the House and meets in the House chamber but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation.

a delay placed on legislation by a senator who objects to a bill.

an agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill.

a tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation.

a procedure through which senators can end debate on a bill and proceed to action,

the power of a president to reject a bill passed by Congress, sending it back to the originating branch with objections.

the executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities.

a program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income.

spending required by existing laws that is "locked in" the budget.

spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president.

the amount of money remaining when the government takes in more than it spends.

the shortfall when a government takes in less money than it spends.

the total amount of money owed by the federal government.

the idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes.

the idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgment.

representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions.

agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation.

a slowdown or halt in Congress's ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship.

control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress split between the two major parties.

period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives and nominees.