AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS
UNIT 2 VOCABULARY
Interactions Among Branches of Government
32 essential terms, organized by topic and aligned to the official College Board framework.
Congress
Term Definition
Bicameral A two-chamber legislature — the House of Representatives and the Senate.
legislature
Filibuster A Senate tactic using extended debate to delay or block a vote on a bill; ended by
invoking cloture.
Cloture A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end debate and force a vote, overcoming a
filibuster.
Conference A temporary joint committee that reconciles differing House and Senate versions of a
committee bill.
Trustee model A model of representation in which a legislator votes based on their own
independent judgment of the public good.
Delegate model A model of representation in which a legislator votes based on the preferences of
their constituents.
Electoral The idea that the desire for reelection is the primary driver of congressional behavior.
connection
Gerrymandering The manipulation of legislative district boundaries for political advantage.
Pork barrel Government spending directed to a legislator's district to benefit local constituents,
spending often to boost reelection chances.
Franking privilege The ability of members of Congress to send official mail to constituents free of
charge, aiding reelection.
The Presidency
Term Definition
Formal powers Powers explicitly granted to the president by the Constitution (e.g., veto,
commander-in-chief, appointment, treaty-making).
Informal powers Presidential powers developed through political practice rather than explicit
constitutional text (e.g., executive orders).
UNIT 2 VOCABULARY
Interactions Among Branches of Government
32 essential terms, organized by topic and aligned to the official College Board framework.
Congress
Term Definition
Bicameral A two-chamber legislature — the House of Representatives and the Senate.
legislature
Filibuster A Senate tactic using extended debate to delay or block a vote on a bill; ended by
invoking cloture.
Cloture A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end debate and force a vote, overcoming a
filibuster.
Conference A temporary joint committee that reconciles differing House and Senate versions of a
committee bill.
Trustee model A model of representation in which a legislator votes based on their own
independent judgment of the public good.
Delegate model A model of representation in which a legislator votes based on the preferences of
their constituents.
Electoral The idea that the desire for reelection is the primary driver of congressional behavior.
connection
Gerrymandering The manipulation of legislative district boundaries for political advantage.
Pork barrel Government spending directed to a legislator's district to benefit local constituents,
spending often to boost reelection chances.
Franking privilege The ability of members of Congress to send official mail to constituents free of
charge, aiding reelection.
The Presidency
Term Definition
Formal powers Powers explicitly granted to the president by the Constitution (e.g., veto,
commander-in-chief, appointment, treaty-making).
Informal powers Presidential powers developed through political practice rather than explicit
constitutional text (e.g., executive orders).
