Back to AI Flashcard MakerPolitical Science /AP Gov-Unit 2 Vocab Part 1
AP Gov-Unit 2 Vocab Part 1
This deck covers key vocabulary terms from Unit 2 of AP Government, focusing on legislative processes and structures.
Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Bicameral
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
Constituency
The residents in the area from which an official is elected
Congressional committee
A group of members from either the House of Representatives or the Senate that focuses on specific areas of policy, legislation, or oversight.
Standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Select committee
Groups of appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration
Conference committee
Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Bicameral | A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses |
Constituency | The residents in the area from which an official is elected |
Congressional committee | A group of members from either the House of Representatives or the Senate that focuses on specific areas of policy, legislation, or oversight. |
Standing committee | A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area |
Select committee | Groups of appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration |
Conference committee | Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate |
Speaker of the house | The presiding officer of the House of Representatives |
Committee chairperson | Leader of committee |
Filibuster | A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate |
Cloture | A Senate procedure through which a supermajority of 60 senators can vote to limit the amount of time spent debating a bill and cut off a filibuster. |
Quorum | Number of members necessary to conduct a meeting |
Hold | A political tactic meant to slow down the legislative process in the Senate. |
Unanimous consent | Complete agreement |
Rules committee | Responsible for scheduling and managing the flow of legislation on the floor to make the process more efficient and manageable. It can also make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass depending on the rules they create. |
Committee of the Whole | A committee of the House on which all representatives serve in order to consider the details of a proposal. |
Discharge petition | A petition signed by members of the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. |
Discretionary spending | Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process |
Mandatory spending | Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress. |
Entitlements | Government-sponsored programs providing required benefits to those meeting eligibility requirements. |
Medicare | A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older |
Medicaid | A health care payment program sponsored by federal & state governments |
Budget deficit | A financial situation that occurs when a government spends more than it takes in. |
Pork barrel legislation | The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative's district in order to please constituents and boost the representative's chances of winning reelection. |
Earmarks | Federal funds appropriated by Congress for use on local projects |
Riders | An additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by the legislature, having little connectivity with the subject of the matter of the bill. |