Congressional Leadership
This person is the leader of the House of Representatives and is second in the line of presidential succession.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
These are permanent committees in Congress that handle specific areas of legislation, such as finance or education.
What are standing (permanent) committees?
This term refers to a proposed law introduced in Congress.
What is a bill?
These are the people a member of Congress represents.
Who are constituents?
This action occurs when senators try to prevent a bill from being voted on by extending debate indefinitely.
What is a filibuster?
This Senate leader presides over the chamber when the Vice President is absent and is typically the longest-serving member of the majority party.
Who is the President pro tempore?
A temporary committee established for a specific purpose, such as investigating a crisis or studying a unique issue.
What are select committees?
This term describes an action in the Senate where debate is prolonged to delay or block a vote on a bill.
What is a filibuster?
The area or group of voters that elects a member of Congress.
What is a constituency?
A major criticism of this spending practice is that it prioritizes local projects over broader national interests.
What is pork-barrel spending?
This leader represents the political party with fewer seats in the House or Senate.
Who is the Minority Leader?
A committee that includes members from both the House and Senate and handles issues affecting both chambers.
What is a joint committee?
This vote, requiring 60 senators, ends a filibuster and allows the Senate to move forward with a vote.
What is cloture?
Organizations that advocate for specific legislation and often donate to political campaigns to support their goals.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
This leadership role ensures that members of their party vote in line with the party’s goals.
What are Party Whips?
This person represents the majority party in either chamber of Congress and sets the legislative agenda.
Who is the Majority Leader?
This committee resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is a conference committee?
Lawmakers often add funding for local projects to bills, a practice nicknamed for spending that benefits a specific district.
What is pork-barrel spending?
Members of Congress often consider this group’s needs when voting or writing laws.
What is their constituency?
These committees can delay a bill indefinitely by failing to report it out to the full chamber.
What are standing (permanent) committees?
These members ensure party discipline and keep track of votes on key legislation for their respective party.
Who are Party Whips?
A session where committee members debate, amend, and rewrite a proposed bill.
What is markup?
This term refers to people or groups that lobby Congress for or against specific legislation.
What are lobby groups or lobbyists?
These individuals or groups provide funding and expertise to lawmakers while attempting to influence legislation.
What are lobby groups or lobbyists?
This Senate procedure is used to overcome a filibuster and requires 60 votes.
What is cloture?