1. House of Repre- representatives elected by each state, # depends on population size; advanta-
sentatives geous for larger states
2. Senate 2 representatives from each state;advantageous for smaller states
3. bicameral a legislature divided into 2 houses, US Congress and every US state legislature
except Nebraska's are bicameral
4. gerrymandering drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over
another
5. census tool for understanding demographic changes; Constitution requires an annual
one
6. redistricting redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following a census
, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in
population
7. reapportionment process of reallocating seats in the House every 10 years on the basis of the results
of the census
8. two party system several political parties exist, but only 2 major political parties compete for power
and dominate elections
9. single member only one representative is chosen from each district
districts
10. entitlements policies for which Congress has obligated itself to pay x level of bene�ts to y
number of recipients (Social Security)
11. legislative intent when creating a legislation, the judiciary branch may be considered when inter-
preting the law; judiciary may attempt to assess where legislation is ambiguous
12.
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, Civil Rights Act of law that made racial discrimination against any group in hotels, motels, and
1964 restaurants illegal and forbade many forms of job discrimination
13. Americans with law passed that requires employers and public facilities to make "reasonable ac-
Disabilities Act of commodations" for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against
1990 these individuals in employment
14. amendments revolution of change to a bill, law, or constitution
15. mandatory required government spending by permanent laws
spending
16. discretionary spending set by the government through appropriations and bills (operating
spending expenses and salaries of gov. employees)
17. �libuster strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation try to
talk it to death, based on unlimited debate
18. incumbency e ect tendency of those already holding o ce to win reelection due to advantages
because they already hold o ce
19. Franking privilege privilege that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to
constituents postage-free
20. legislative veto ability of Congress to override a presidential decision
21. Speaker of the o ce mandated by the Constitution; Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority,
House has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the
presidency should that o ce become vacant
22. Majority Leader principal position ally of the Speaker of the House or the party's wheel horse in
the Senate; responsible for scheduling bills, in uencing committee assignments,
and rounding up votes on behalf of the party's legislative positions
2/8
sentatives geous for larger states
2. Senate 2 representatives from each state;advantageous for smaller states
3. bicameral a legislature divided into 2 houses, US Congress and every US state legislature
except Nebraska's are bicameral
4. gerrymandering drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party or group over
another
5. census tool for understanding demographic changes; Constitution requires an annual
one
6. redistricting redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following a census
, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in
population
7. reapportionment process of reallocating seats in the House every 10 years on the basis of the results
of the census
8. two party system several political parties exist, but only 2 major political parties compete for power
and dominate elections
9. single member only one representative is chosen from each district
districts
10. entitlements policies for which Congress has obligated itself to pay x level of bene�ts to y
number of recipients (Social Security)
11. legislative intent when creating a legislation, the judiciary branch may be considered when inter-
preting the law; judiciary may attempt to assess where legislation is ambiguous
12.
1/8
, Civil Rights Act of law that made racial discrimination against any group in hotels, motels, and
1964 restaurants illegal and forbade many forms of job discrimination
13. Americans with law passed that requires employers and public facilities to make "reasonable ac-
Disabilities Act of commodations" for people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination against
1990 these individuals in employment
14. amendments revolution of change to a bill, law, or constitution
15. mandatory required government spending by permanent laws
spending
16. discretionary spending set by the government through appropriations and bills (operating
spending expenses and salaries of gov. employees)
17. �libuster strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation try to
talk it to death, based on unlimited debate
18. incumbency e ect tendency of those already holding o ce to win reelection due to advantages
because they already hold o ce
19. Franking privilege privilege that allows members of Congress to mail letters and other materials to
constituents postage-free
20. legislative veto ability of Congress to override a presidential decision
21. Speaker of the o ce mandated by the Constitution; Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority,
House has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the
presidency should that o ce become vacant
22. Majority Leader principal position ally of the Speaker of the House or the party's wheel horse in
the Senate; responsible for scheduling bills, in uencing committee assignments,
and rounding up votes on behalf of the party's legislative positions
2/8
