AP Government and Politics Flashcards: Congressional Elections

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Congressional Elections, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is a 'majority-minority district'?

Answer: A district where a minority group is the majority. Created to ensure minority representation in Congress.

Flashcard 2: Which amendment to the Constitution provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators?

Answer: 17th Amendment. Changed from state legislature selection to popular vote.

Flashcard 3: Which type of primary allows any registered voter to participate?

Answer: Open primary. Allows crossover voting between party lines.

Flashcard 4: Identify one power unique to the U.S. Senate.

Answer: Confirm presidential appointments. Senate's advice and consent role for federal nominees.

Flashcard 5: What is the term for a proposed law presented to Congress?

Answer: Bill. Formal proposal that must pass both chambers.

Flashcard 6: Identify one power unique to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Answer: Initiate revenue bills. Constitution requires tax bills to originate in the House.

Flashcard 7: What is a 'quorum' in the context of Congress?

Answer: Minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually requires majority of members to be present.

Flashcard 8: What is a caucus in the context of congressional elections?

Answer: Meeting of party members to select candidates. Alternative to primary elections in some states.

Flashcard 9: What is the term for redrawing congressional districts after a census?

Answer: Redistricting. Done every 10 years after the decennial census.

Flashcard 10: What is the role of the President pro tempore of the Senate?

Answer: Presides over the Senate in Vice President's absence. Usually the longest-serving majority party senator.

Flashcard 11: What is the purpose of a 'select committee'?

Answer: Temporary committee for specific issues. Created to investigate particular problems or events.

Flashcard 12: What is a cloture motion in the Senate?

Answer: Procedure to end a filibuster. Requires 60 votes to invoke and end debate.

Flashcard 13: What does the term 'lame duck' refer to in politics?

Answer: An official in the final period of office. Period between election defeat and successor's inauguration.

Flashcard 14: Define 'safe seat' in congressional elections.

Answer: A district consistently won by one party. Predictable outcome reduces competitive elections.

Flashcard 15: What is a 'majority-minority district'?

Answer: A district where a minority group is the majority. Created to ensure minority representation in Congress.

Flashcard 16: What is a 'rider' in legislative terms?

Answer: An additional provision added to a bill. Often unrelated amendment attached to popular bills.

Flashcard 17: What are midterm elections?

Answer: Elections held halfway through a president's term. Occur in even-numbered years without presidential races.

Flashcard 18: What is the term for a proposed law presented to Congress?

Answer: Bill. Formal proposal that must pass both chambers.

Flashcard 19: What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?

Answer: 6 years. Longer term provides stability in the upper chamber.

Flashcard 20: What is the purpose of a 'select committee'?

Answer: Temporary committee for specific issues. Created to investigate particular problems or events.

Flashcard 21: What is 'pork barrel' spending?

Answer: Government spending for localized projects. Funding that benefits specific districts or regions.

Flashcard 22: What is the term for a non-binding vote or resolution?

Answer: Sense of Congress. Expresses opinion without force of law.

Flashcard 23: What is the process of dividing seats in the House among states called?

Answer: Apportionment. Based on state population from the decennial census.

Flashcard 24: What is a cloture motion in the Senate?

Answer: Procedure to end a filibuster. Requires 60 votes to invoke and end debate.

Flashcard 25: What is an incumbent?

Answer: Current holder of a political office. Enjoys electoral advantages from name recognition and resources.

Flashcard 26: What is the total number of voting members in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer: 435 members. Fixed by law since the Reapportionment Act of 1929.

Flashcard 27: What is the term for a non-binding vote or resolution?

Answer: Sense of Congress. Expresses opinion without force of law.

Flashcard 28: What is a 'pocket veto'?

Answer: President's indirect veto by not signing a bill. Occurs when Congress adjourns within 10 days.

Flashcard 29: Define 'safe seat' in congressional elections.

Answer: A district consistently won by one party. Predictable outcome reduces competitive elections.

Flashcard 30: What is the term for the yearly address by the President to Congress?

Answer: State of the Union Address. Annual constitutional requirement for presidential report.

Flashcard 31: What is a 'standing committee' in Congress?

Answer: Permanent committee with specific duties. Continues across multiple sessions with ongoing jurisdiction.

Flashcard 32: What is a 'pocket veto'?

Answer: President's indirect veto by not signing a bill. Occurs when Congress adjourns within 10 days.

Flashcard 33: Identify the term for when a Senator speaks at length to delay a vote.

Answer: Filibuster. Unique Senate tactic to block legislation through delay.

Flashcard 34: What is the significance of the Rules Committee in the House?

Answer: Determines the rules for debate on a bill. Controls timing and amendment process for legislation.

Flashcard 35: What is a 'rider' in legislative terms?

Answer: An additional provision added to a bill. Often unrelated amendment attached to popular bills.

Flashcard 36: Which body has the power to impeach the President?

Answer: The House of Representatives. Constitutional role as prosecutor in impeachment process.

Flashcard 37: What are midterm elections?

Answer: Elections held halfway through a president's term. Occur in even-numbered years without presidential races.

Flashcard 38: What is the term for the yearly address by the President to Congress?

Answer: State of the Union Address. Annual constitutional requirement for presidential report.

Flashcard 39: What is the minimum age requirement to serve in the U.S. Senate?

Answer: 30 years old. Constitutional requirement for Senate eligibility.

Flashcard 40: Which body holds the trial for an impeached President?

Answer: The Senate. Acts as jury to determine guilt in impeachment cases.

Flashcard 41: What is an incumbent?

Answer: Current holder of a political office. Enjoys electoral advantages from name recognition and resources.

Flashcard 42: What is the minimum age requirement to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer: 25 years old. Minimum age set by Constitution for House members.

Flashcard 43: What is the term length for a U.S. Senator?

Answer: 6 years. Longer term provides stability in the upper chamber.

Flashcard 44: Which amendment to the Constitution provides for the direct election of U.S. Senators?

Answer: 17th Amendment. Changed from state legislature selection to popular vote.

Flashcard 45: Define 'gerrymandering.'

Answer: Drawing district boundaries to favor a party. Manipulates electoral boundaries for political advantage.

Flashcard 46: Identify the term for when a Senator speaks at length to delay a vote.

Answer: Filibuster. Unique Senate tactic to block legislation through delay.

Flashcard 47: What is the purpose of a congressional whip?

Answer: Ensure party discipline in voting. Counts votes and maintains party unity.

Flashcard 48: What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

Answer: Presides over the House and is its leader. Elected by majority party to lead House proceedings.

Flashcard 49: Define 'gerrymandering.'

Answer: Drawing district boundaries to favor a party. Manipulates electoral boundaries for political advantage.

Flashcard 50: Which type of primary allows only registered party members to vote?

Answer: Closed primary. Restricts participation to maintain party unity.

Flashcard 51: Which body has the power to impeach the President?

Answer: The House of Representatives. Constitutional role as prosecutor in impeachment process.

Flashcard 52: What is the purpose of a congressional whip?

Answer: Ensure party discipline in voting. Counts votes and maintains party unity.

Flashcard 53: What is a 'standing committee' in Congress?

Answer: Permanent committee with specific duties. Continues across multiple sessions with ongoing jurisdiction.

Flashcard 54: What is a 'quorum' in the context of Congress?

Answer: Minimum number of members needed to conduct business. Usually requires majority of members to be present.

Flashcard 55: Which type of primary allows only registered party members to vote?

Answer: Closed primary. Restricts participation to maintain party unity.

Flashcard 56: What is the process of dividing seats in the House among states called?

Answer: Apportionment. Based on state population from the decennial census.

Flashcard 57: What is a primary election?

Answer: Election to determine a party's candidate. Narrows field before the general election.

Flashcard 58: What is 'pork barrel' spending?

Answer: Government spending for localized projects. Funding that benefits specific districts or regions.

Flashcard 59: What is the total number of members in the U.S. Senate?

Answer: 100 members. Two senators from each of the 50 states.

Flashcard 60: What is the total number of members in the U.S. Senate?

Answer: 100 members. Two senators from each of the 50 states.

Flashcard 61: What is the minimum age requirement to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer: 25 years old. Minimum age set by Constitution for House members.

Flashcard 62: What is the role of a conference committee?

Answer: Resolve differences in House and Senate bills. Reconciles different versions passed by each chamber.

Flashcard 63: What is a caucus in the context of congressional elections?

Answer: Meeting of party members to select candidates. Alternative to primary elections in some states.

Flashcard 64: What is the term for redrawing congressional districts after a census?

Answer: Redistricting. Done every 10 years after the decennial census.

Flashcard 65: What is a primary election?

Answer: Election to determine a party's candidate. Narrows field before the general election.

Flashcard 66: What does 'bicameral' mean in the context of Congress?

Answer: Having two legislative chambers. System divides legislative power between two houses.

Flashcard 67: What is the role of a conference committee?

Answer: Resolve differences in House and Senate bills. Reconciles different versions passed by each chamber.

Flashcard 68: Identify one power unique to the U.S. Senate.

Answer: Confirm presidential appointments. Senate's advice and consent role for federal nominees.