Chapter 12 Vocab
Protective tariff
"protects" domestic industry against foreign competition by increasing the cost of foreign goods
Filibuster
An attempt to "talk a bill to death"
Seniority rule
An unwritten custom, that holds that the most important posts will be held by those party members with the longest records of service in Congress
Whip
Assist the floor leaders and serve as a liaison between the party's leadership and its rank-and-file members
Committee of the Whole
Includes all members of the House, however, they sit as one large committee and not as the House itself
President pro tempore
The leader of the majority part, elected from the Senate and serves in the Vice President's absence
Committee chairman
The members who head the standing committees in each chamber of Congress
Speaker of the House
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the acknowledged leader of the majority party
Public bill
A bill that applied to the entire nation
Private bill
A bill that applies only to certain people or places
Party caucus
A closed meeting of the members of each party in each house which deals with matters of party organization
Resolution
A measure relating to the business of either house or expressing an opinion on a matter; does not have the force of law; does not require the President's signature
Discharge petition
A procedure enabling members to force a bill that has been pigeonholed in committee onto the floor for consideration
Joint resolution
A proposal for action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters
Bill
A proposed law presented to the House or Senate for consideration
Rider
A provision not likely to pass on its own merit that is attached to an important measure certain to pass
Calendar
A schedule of the order in which bills will be taken up on the floor
Conference committee
A temporary joint body created to iron out differences between bills passed by the House and Senate before they are sent to the President; nicknamed the third house of Congress
Post roads
All postal routes, including railroads, airways, and waters within the United States, during the time that mail is being carried on them
Subcommittee
Divisions of existing committees formed to address specific issues
President of the Senate
Leader of the Senate that is assigned by the Constitution as the Vice President
Quorum
Least number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority
Cloture
Limiting debate
State of the Union
Message in which the President reports on the state of the nation as he sees it; given annually
Joint committee
One composed of members of both houses
Select committee
Panels established to handle a specific matter and usually exist for a limited time
Floor leader
Party officers picked for their posts by their party colleagues (majority and minority)
Standing committee
Permanent panels in Congress to which bills of similar nature could be sent
Pocket veto
President refuses to sign a bill, if Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting the bill the bill dies
Engrossed
Printed in its final form
Veto
Refusing to sign a bill
Pigeonhole
Term used to describe when a committee kills a bill
