Kayla Hughes Chapter 11 Terms Senatorial Courtesy - Unwritten political custom in the United States whereby the president

t consults the senior U.S. Senator of his political party of a given state before nominating any person to a federal vacancy within that Senator's state Franking Privilege - Senators and representatives can send job-related mail without having to pay for postage Whips - A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking Pork-barrel Legislation - Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return Bicameral - A lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts Unicameral - A lawmaking body made up of only one chamber or part Filibuster - A tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches Cloture Rule - Prevents filibustering (16 signatures) and ends debate in the Senate, by a 3/5s vote of the Senate Conference Committee - Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form Joint Committee - Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses Standing Committee - Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas Select Committee - Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose Legislative Veto - An oversight tool of Congress; a resolution passed by one or both houses of a legislature that is intended to nullify an administrative regulation or action Committee Chairs - Those members who head the standing committees in each chamber and also hold strategic posts Seniority Rule - Tradition in which the Senator from the majority party with the most years of service on a committee becomes the chairman of that committee

 Hold - Procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill or nomination Unanimous Consent - legislative action taken "without objection" as a way to expedite business; used to conduct much of the business of the Senate Voice Vote - A congressional voting procedure in which members shout "yea" in approval or "nay" in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills Recorded Vote - A vote in which the names of those voting for and against a motion may be recorded Trustee - Role played by elected representatives who listen to the constituents' opinions and then use their best judgment to make final decisions