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independent agencies |
government organizations independent of departments but with a narrower policy focus |
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midterm loss |
the tendency for the presidential party to lose the congressional seats in off-year elections |
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standing committees |
permanent committees responsible for legislation in particular policy areas |
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legislative agenda |
the state of proposals and issues that representatives think it worthwhile to consider and act on |
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congressional oversight |
a committee's investigation of the executive branch and of government agencies to ensure they are acting as Congress intends |
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redistricting |
process of dividing states into legislative districts |
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coattail effect |
the added votes received by congressional candidates of a winning presidential party |
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cloture |
a vote to end a Senate filibuster; requires 3/5 majority |
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veto override |
reversal of a presidential veto by 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress |
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pocket veto |
presidential authority to kill a bill submitted within 10 days of a legislative session by not signing it |
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party discipline |
the ability of a political party to get its members to support the policies of their party leadership |
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unfunded mandate |
a federal order mandating that states operate and pay for a program created at a national level |
