chapter 8

constituents

the people he or she represents

bill

proposed law

interest groups

Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals

lobbyists

people who represent interest groups

congressional district

The area that a member of the House represents

budget

A plan for raising and spending money

bill of attainder

a law that convicts a person of a crime without a trial

Speaker of the House

House of Representatives must choose a presiding officer

President Pro Tempore

officer who will preside over the senate when the vice president is gone

floor leaders

the chief officers of the majority and minority parties in each house

standing committees

decides if bills should be passed

conference committee

temporary committee to settle difference when the two houses disagree on a bill

pocket veto

if the president pockets, or keeps, the bill for ten days, during which Congress ends its session, the bill will not become law

Filibuster

the use of long speeches to prevent the vote on a bill

Cloture

agreement to end the debate on a bill