representation
the efforts of elected officials to look out for the interests of those who elect them
national lawmaking
the creation of policy to address the problems and needs of the entire nation
constituency
the voters in a state or district
policy representation
congressional work to advance the issues and ideological preferences of constituents
allocative representation
congressional work to secure projects, services, and funds for the represented district
pork barrel
public works projects and grants for specific districts paid for by general revenues
casework
legislative work on behalf of individual constituents to solve their problems with government agencies and programs
franking
the privilege of free mail service provided to members of congress
symbolic representation
efforts of members of congress to stand for American ideals or identify with common constituency values
congressional oversight
a committee's investigation of the executive and of government agencies to ensure that they are acting as congress intends
reappointment
the reallocation of congressional seats among the states every ten years, following the census
redistricting
process of dividing states into legislative districts
gerrymandering
redistricting to benefit a particular group
racial gerrymandering
redistricting to enhance or reduce chances that a racial or ethnic group will elect members to the legislature
strategic politicians
office-seekers who base the decision to run on a rational calculation that they will be successful
incumbency advantage
the electoral edge afforded to those already in office
coattail effect
the added votes received by congressional candidates of a winning presidential party
midterm loss
the tendency for the presidential party to lose congressional seats in off-year elections
descriptive representation
the idea that an elected body should mirror demographically the population it represents
standing committees
permanent committees responsible for legislation in particular policy areas
rules committee
the committee that determines how and when debate on a bill will take place
select committees
a committee appointed to deal with an issue or problem not suited to a standing committee (
joint committee
combined House-Senate committees formed to coordinate activities and expedite legislation in a certain area
conference committee
temporary committees formed to reconcile differences in House and Senate versions of a bill
norms
informal rules that govern behavior in Congress
legislative agenda
the state of proposals and issues that representatives think is worthwhile to consider and act on
policy entrepreneurship
practice of legislators becoming experts and taking leadership roles in specific policy areas
filibuster
a practice of unlimited debate in the Senate in order to prevent or delay a vote on a bill
cloture
a vote to end a senate filibuster; requires a three-fifths majority, or 60 votes
roll call voting
publicly recorded votes on bills and amendments on the Floor of the House and Senate
veto override
reversal of a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress
pocket veto
presidential authority to kill a submitted bill within ten days of the end of a legislative session by not signing it