Political Dictionary Chapter 12 -Congress  

 

Prepared by a Student

                                                                                                           

 

  1. Speaker of the House- presiding officer in the House of Representatives. Significant because the speaker of the house has a very influential and important role in the legislative process.

 

  1. President of the Senate- presiding officer in the Senate. The Vice President is the president of the senate. Significant because but the Vice President does not have a lot of power and influence over Congress as a whole and on the legislative process.

 

  1. President pro tempore- serves as the president of the senate when the Vice President is absent. Significant because the Vice President is frequently absent from the Senate giving the President pro tempore the power and influence over congress and the legislative process.

 

  1. Party Caucus- a closed meeting of the members in each party in each house. Significant because this is a place for party strategy and planning, as well as nominating candidates for various offices.

 

  1. Floor Leaders- most important officers in Congress, they are not official positions but rather party officers picked by colleagues. Significant because they are the chief legislative strategists.

 

  1. Whips- assistants to floor leaders. Significant because they aid in the major strategies for passing legislation.

 

  1. Committee Chairman- the leader of a congressional committee. Significant because the chairman has a large influence and knowledge over bills in his/her specialized topic.

 

  1. Seniority Rule- an unwritten custom where people who have served longer in congress are given the more important positions. Significant because the seniors in congress have the most experience and knowledge and deserve the more important posts.

 

  1. Standing Committees- all similar bills are sent to a standing committee. Significant because committees can get legislation dealt with faster than having every member of congress go over the bill, which takes a long time.

 

  1. Select Committees- sometimes called special committees, they are panels set up for some specific purpose and, most often, for a limited time. Significant because members are appointed by the presiding officer and specialize in a certain topic speeding up the legislative process, while at the same time doing a more effective job.

 

  1. Joint Committee- composed of members of both houses of congress. Significant because it combines the expertise of congressmen and congresswomen regardless of what house of congress they are in.

 

  1. Conference Committee- a temporary, joint body created to iron out the differences in a bill. Significant because the conference committee produces a compromised bill that both houses will accept.

 

  1. Bill- is a proposed law presented to the house or senate for consideration. Significant because this is the first step in the legislative process.

 

  1. Joint Resolution- similar to bills, and when passed have the force of law. Significant because joint resolutions usually deal with temporary or unusual matters.

 

  1. Concurrent Resolutions- deal with matters in which the House and Senate must act jointly. Significant because they do not have the force of law and do not need the signature of the president.

 

  1. Resolutions- deal with matters concerning either house alone and are taken up by that house. Significant because they are used to create new rules or amend old rules.

 

  1. Rider- a rider is attached to a bill or resolution that has nothing to do with the bill or resolution it is attached to. Significant because riders would not likely pass by themselves.

 

  1. Discharge Petition- enables members to force a bill that has remained in committee 30 days onto the floor for consideration. Significant because it is a way for the house to get legislation done faster.

 

  1. Subcommittees- division of existing committees formed to address specific issues. Significant because subcommittees speed up the legislative process and do it in an effective and educated manner.

 

  1. Committee of the Whole- an old parliamentary device for speeding business on the floor. Significant because congress can get backed up, and declaring the whole congress a committee gets through the backlog and speeds up congress.

 

  1. Quorum- majority of full membership must be present in order for the House to do business. Significant because it would be unfair for a minority of members to make all the decisions.

 

  1. Engrossed- This means the bill is printed in its final form. Significant because this is the final step in the legislative process.