| A | B |
|---|
| apportionment | the distribution of the number of members of the House of Representatives based on the population of each state |
| reapportionment | the periodic redistribution of U.S. congressional seats according to changes in the census figures |
| at-large | an election process in which the voters of a city, state, or country as a whole elect their government representatives |
| duty | a overnment tax, especially on imports |
| impost | a tax or duty |
| excise | a tax on the production, sale, or consumption of products within the United States, such as tabacco, gas, or liquor |
| copyright | the legal right to publish, sell, perform, or distribute a literary or artistic work |
| patent | the government's grant to inventors assuring them the rights to make, use, or sell their invention for a specific period of time |
| impeachment | the formal procedure by which a president or any federal official is removed for misconduct in office |
| oversight function | the power of Congress to review the policies and programs of the executive branch |
| authorization | a legislature's approval to implement or continue a governental program or agency |
| appropriation | a grant of money by Congress to be used for specific purposes |
| subpoena | a legal order requiring a person to appear in court or turn over specified documents |
| Speaker of the House | the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, selected from the membership. The speaker is always a leader of the majority party |
| floor leader | a spokesperson for a party in Congress; one who directs party decisions and strategy |
| session | the meeting of a legislative or judicial body for a specific period of time for the purpose of transacting business |
| majority leader | the legislative leader of the party holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate. In the House, the majority leader is second to the Speaker of the House |
| minority leader | the legislative leader and spokesperson for the party holding the minority of seats in the House or Senate |
| whip | a senator or representative who works with party leaders to communicate views, solicit support before votes are taken, and keep track of how voting is likely to go |
| president pro tempore | the member of the U.S. Senate chosen as leader in the absence of the Vice President |
| standing committee | a permanent committee that evaluates bills and either kills them or passes them along for futher debate |
| select committee | a temporary congresional committee appointned for a limited purpose |
