Congress

1. Congress Unit Vocabulary

2. Vocabulary • Bicameral legislature • Two rooms or groups compose Congress • Term • Two years, called a congress, the 111th started in January 2009 • Session • One year of the term

3. Census • Count of people, Required every ten years • Reapportionment • After Census, # of Representatives is balanced per state • Redistrict • Size and shape of con. Districts are altered to reflect changes in population

4. Gerrymander • To create a funny shaped district • Franking privilege • Members can send mail without postage • At-large • elected by and represent the whole state • Censure • Punishment (they yell at you)

5. Incumbent • An elected member of congress running for reelection • Constituents • All people living in a district • Caucus • Meeting or group of members • Example- Congressional Black Caucus

6. Bill calendar • Schedule or order of bills to be debated • Quorum • Minimum number of member required to conduct business • Filibuster • Unlimited debate in the Senate that is designed to delay action on a bill • Cloture • Vote to end debate

7. Standing committees • Permanent committees • Subcommittee • Subunit of a committee established for the purpose of dividing the committee's workload • Joint committee • Committee of Senators and Representatives

8. Conference committee • Formed to fix differences between House and Senate versions of a bill • Seniority system • Privileges based on length of service in the Congress