American Government Quiz on Chapter 12 – Flashcards
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Party caucus
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Selects the party's leaders in each house of Congress
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Discharge Petition
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Can force a committee to bring a bill to the floor of the House of Senate.
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Quorum
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The minimum number of legislators needed to conduct official business.
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Rider
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A provision added to a popular bill because it is unlikely to succeed on its own.
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Select Committee
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A legislative committe created for a limited time and specific purpose.
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Speaker of the House
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Presiding officer of the House.
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President of the Senate
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Presiding officer of the Senate
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President Pro Tempore
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Second presiding officer of the Senate
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Floor leaders
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Legislativer strategists; they try to carry out the decisions of their parties; caucuses and steer floor action to their benefit.
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Whips
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Assisstant floor leaders
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Committee Chairman
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The members that head the standing committees in each chamber.
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Seniority Rule
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Unwritten; states that the most important posts in both the formal and the party organization, will be held by those party members with the longest records of service in Congress.
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Standing Committee
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Panel where bills can be sent to get another view on them. Very influential.
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Joint Committee
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Composed of members of both houses.
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Conference Committee
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A temporary joint body, that is made to smooth out the differences between Congress and the Senate.
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Bill
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Proposed law
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Joint Resolutions
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Similiar to bills; when passed have the effect of law.
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Concurrent Resolutions
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Deal with matters in which the House and Senate must act jointly.
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Resolutions
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Deal with matters concerning either house alone and are taken up only by that house.
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Subcommittees
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Divisions of existing committees formed to address specific issues.
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Committee of the Whole
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An old parliamentary device for speeding up business on the floor.
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Engrossed
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When a bill is approved at the second reading
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Filibuster
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Attempt to talk a bill to death
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Cloture
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Limits debate
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Veto
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President's refusal to sign a bill.
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Pocket veto
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If Congress adjourns its session within ten days of submitting a bill to the President, and the President does not act the measure dies.
