Districts & Elections
Redrawing election district lines, usually after each Census, so districts have about the same number of people.
Redistricting
Government money for a local project in a member's district, tucked into a larger spending bill.
Pork barrel spending
This 1962 case ruled that federal courts CAN hear challenges to unequal legislative districts in Tennessee.
Baker v. Carr
The presiding officer of the House, second in line to the presidency after the Vice President.
Speaker of the House (Mike Johnson)
Spending Congress decides each year in appropriations bills, such as defense, schools, and parks.
Discretionary spending
Dividing the 435 House seats among the states by population after each Census.
Apportionment
"You vote for my bill, and I will vote for yours."
Logrolling
This 1993 case involved North Carolina's long, thin District 12, stretching about 160 miles along I-85.
Shaw v. Reno
Using unlimited debate, or the threat of it, to delay or block a Senate vote.
Filibuster
When the government spends more than it takes in during one year.
Budget deficit
The edge current officeholders have over challengers because of name recognition, money, staff, and free mail.
Incumbency advantage
Congress's job of monitoring the executive branch through hearings, investigations, and the power of the purse.
Oversight
The constitutional clause at the center of both Baker v. Carr and Shaw v. Reno.
The Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)
The number of senators usually needed to invoke cloture and end debate.
60
A representative who votes the way most constituents want, even if personally opposed.
Delegate
In the 2018 Wisconsin Assembly election, Democratic candidates won about 53% of the statewide vote but only about this share of the seats.
About 36% (36 of 99 seats)
All revenue (tax) bills must start in this chamber.
The House of Representatives
Shaw v. Reno said a district drawn mainly by race must pass this demanding level of court review.
Strict scrutiny
The number of House members who must sign a discharge petition to force a bill out of committee.
218
When different parties control the presidency and at least one chamber of Congress.
Divided government
In this 2019 case, the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 that federal courts cannot decide partisan gerrymandering claims.
Rucho v. Common Cause
The Senate must approve treaties by this fraction of the vote.
Two-thirds
Baker v. Carr led to this principle, which Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) applied to U.S. House districts.
"One person, one vote"
The House committee that sets how long a bill is debated and which amendments can be offered.
House Rules Committee
The executive-branch office that helps the President write the budget and oversees agency spending.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)