Constituents
Reapportionment
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.
Gerrymandering
The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.
An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other, so the success of that party's candidate is almost taken for granted.
Incumbent
Bicameralism
Enumerated powers
Speaker
Majority leader
Whip
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits any amendments to bills or provides that only members of the committee reporting the bill may offer amendments.
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that permits floor amendments within the overall time allocated to the bill.
President pro tempore
Hold
Filibuster
Cloture
A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate
Senatorial courtesy
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.
Earmarks
Special spending projects that are set aside on behalf of individual members of Congress for their constituents.
Conference committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
Delegate
Trustee
An official who is expected to vote independently based on his or her judgment of the circumstances; one interpretation of the role of the legislator.
Logrolling
Rider
Pocket veto
Override