Congress

Those already holding office. In congressional elections, they usually win.

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get.

The mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions available in a congressional district.

A legislature divided into two houses. The U.S. Congress and every American state legislature except Nebraska's are this.

An institution unique to the House of Representative that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation try to talk it to death, based on the tradition of unlimited debate. Today, 60 members present and voting can halt this.

An office mandated by the Constitution. This person is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed the presidency should that office become vacant.

The principal partisan ally of the Speaker of the House or the party's manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and rounding up votes in behalf of the party's legislative positions.

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses.

Congressional committees formed when the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill.

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate investigation.

Congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings.

The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.