Speaker of the House
the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives
Senate Majority Leader
The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.
Senate Minority Leader
The party officer in the Senate who commands the minority party's opposition to the policies of the majority party and directs the legislative program and strategy of his or her party.
President Pro Tempore
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president
Whips
Party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.
House Minority Floor Leader
-manages actions & strategies of the majority party
-elected by members @ party caucus
sociological representation
a type of representation in which representatives have the same racial, gender, ethnic, religious, or educational backgrounds as their constituents; it is based on the principle that if two individuals are similar in background, character, interests, and
agency representation
The type of representation according to which representatives are held accountable to their constituents if they fail to represent them properly. That is, constituents have the power to hire and fire their representatives.
Incumbency
the increasing probability to be re-elected to office
Term limits
legally prescribed limits on the number of terms an elected official can serve
standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
joint committee
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.
confrence committee
A temporary committee created to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of a specific piece of legislation.
select committee
A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose.
advice and consent
Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.
Redistricting
The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
consitituency
the people and interests that an elected official represents
Who are the presiding officers in both chambers of the Legislature?
Speaker of the house and senate majority leader
What role do whips play?
Party leaders who work with the majority leader or minority leader to count votes beforehand and lean on waverers whose votes are crucial to a bill favored by the party.
What is the difference between sociological and agency representation?
s - based on looks and similarities
a - based on performance
What are term limits? Are there term limits in the United States Congress?
no
What functions does each committee perform?
standing committee - A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
joint committee - A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congre
What are the term lengths for both chambers of Congress?
senate - 6
house - 2
Other than lawmaking, what are some of the other congressional duties?
Representing its constituents
Acting on presidential actions
Setting the national agenda
Why is incumbency important?
...
What is redistricting? How often does it occur?
changing districts to affect the vote, every ten years with census
What is a constituency?
a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.
U.S. House members represent (or are elected from) _______________ while senators represent (or are elected from) ___________________?
districts, state