AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: Structures, Powers, and Functions of Congress
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 14 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is logrolling?
Logrolling is the exchange of political favors, such as trading votes, among legislators to gain support for legislation.
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What is logrolling?
Logrolling is the exchange of political favors, such as trading votes, among legislators to gain support for legislation.
Define discretionary spending.
Discretionary spending is spending that is approved on an annual basis for areas like defense, education, and infrastructure.
Define mandatory spending.
Mandatory spending is spending required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
What is pork-barrel legislation?
Pork-barrel legislation involves funding for a specific local project included in a larger appropriation bill to benefit a legislator's home district.
What is a discharge petition?
A discharge petition is a rarely used procedure in the House where a member can file to have a bill brought from committee to the floor for debate.
How does the growth of entitlement costs affect discretionary spending?
As entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease unless tax revenues increase or the budget deficit increases.
What is the function of the House Rules Committee?
The Rules Committee establishes the rules for debate on a bill in the House, such as time limits and permissible amendments.
Which chamber of Congress has the sole power to originate revenue bills?
All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
What is the primary role of committees in the legislative process?
In both chambers, committees conduct hearings, debate, and mark up bills with revisions and additions before they are considered by the full chamber.
How can a single Senator delay a bill from reaching the floor for a vote?
A Senator can request a hold on a bill, which is a procedure that can prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote.
What is the purpose of the Committee of the Whole in the House?
The House can form a Committee of the Whole, which includes all members but has different procedural rules, in order to expedite debate on bills.
What is cloture?
Cloture is a procedure in the Senate used to end a debate, often invoked to overcome a filibuster.
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
A conference committee meets to reconcile differences in wording when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill.
What is a filibuster?
A filibuster is a tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill.