Home › Glossary Civic Glossary Definitions for civic and legislative terms used throughout CIV.IQ
All (182) Legislative Process (28) Congress (25) Elections (19) Committees (8) Voting (14) Executive Branch (15) Judiciary (16) State Government (15) Campaign Finance (20) Regulatory Process (12) Budget & Spending (10)
182 terms
5 A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y
5 1 term
501(c)(4) A tax-exempt social welfare organization that can engage in limited political activity without disclosing its donors. Campaign Finance A 10 terms
Absentee Ballot A ballot completed and submitted before Election Day by a voter who cannot or prefers not to vote in person. Elections Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking An early public announcement that an agency is considering a new regulation, issued before a formal NPRM to gather preliminary input. Regulatory Process Agency A federal organization created to perform a specific function, such as the EPA or NASA. May be independent or part of an executive department. Executive Branch Amendment A proposed change to a bill or resolution. Amendments can be offered during committee markup or floor debate. Legislative Process Amicus Brief A legal document filed by non-parties to provide information or arguments relevant to a case. Latin for "friend of the court." Judiciary APA Administrative Procedure Act. The 1946 federal law that governs how agencies develop and issue regulations, including requirements for public notice and comment. Regulatory Process Apportionment The process of dividing the 435 House seats among the 50 states based on population, conducted after each census. Elections Appropriation An act of Congress that provides the legal authority for federal agencies to incur obligations and make payments from the Treasury for specified purposes. Congress Attorney General The chief legal officer of a state or the federal government. Oversees the state's legal affairs and law enforcement. State Government Authorization Legislation that establishes or continues a federal agency, program, or activity, and sets its policies. Separate from the appropriation that funds it. Congress B 6 terms
Ballot Initiative A process that allows citizens to propose new laws or constitutional amendments by collecting a required number of petition signatures. Elections Bicameral A legislature with two separate chambers, typically a senate and a house or assembly. Used by 49 of 50 U.S. state legislatures and the U.S. Congress. State Government Bill A proposed law presented to Congress for consideration. Bills can originate in either the House or Senate, except revenue bills which must start in the House. Legislative Process Bipartisan Involving cooperation between both major political parties. A bipartisan bill has significant support from both Democrats and Republicans. Voting Budget Resolution A concurrent resolution that sets Congress's overall spending and revenue targets for the upcoming fiscal year. Not signed by the President. Budget & Spending Bundling The practice of collecting multiple individual contributions and presenting them together to a candidate or party. Campaign Finance C 26 terms
Cabinet The group of senior appointed officials who head the executive departments and advise the President. Executive Branch Caucus An informal group of members of Congress sharing an interest or characteristic. Also refers to a closed party meeting to select candidates or decide policy. Congress CBO Congressional Budget Office. A nonpartisan agency that provides economic and budgetary analysis to Congress, including cost estimates for proposed legislation. Congress Certiorari A writ issued by the Supreme Court agreeing to review a lower court decision. The Court grants "cert" in cases it considers important. Judiciary CFR Code of Federal Regulations. The codification of all permanent rules published by federal agencies, organized by subject into 50 titles. Regulatory Process Chevron Deference A legal doctrine (from Chevron v. NRDC, 1984) under which courts defer to an agency's reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statute it administers. Overturned by Loper Bright v. Raimondo (2024). Regulatory Process Circuit Court A federal appellate court. The U.S. has 13 circuit courts that hear appeals from district courts within their geographic jurisdiction. Judiciary Citizens United The 2010 Supreme Court ruling (Citizens United v. FEC) that corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts on independent political expenditures. Campaign Finance Clemency The President's power to grant pardons (forgiveness for a crime), commutations (reduced sentences), or reprieves (delayed punishments) for federal offenses. Executive Branch Closed Primary A primary election in which only registered members of a political party may vote for that party's candidates. Elections Cloture A Senate procedure to end debate on a bill and bring it to a vote. Requires 60 votes (three-fifths of the Senate) to invoke. Legislative Process Comment Period The timeframe during which the public can submit written comments on a proposed federal rule. Typically 30 to 90 days. Regulatory Process Committee Chair The member who leads a committee, typically from the majority party. Controls the agenda and presides over hearings. Committees Companion Bill Identical or substantially similar legislation introduced in both the House and Senate, often to speed up the legislative process. Legislative Process Concurrence A written opinion by a judge who agrees with the outcome of a case but for different reasons than the majority. Judiciary Concurrent Resolution A legislative measure passed by both chambers that does not require the President's signature and does not have the force of law. Used for internal congressional matters. Legislative Process Conference Committee A temporary committee formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill. Committees Conference Report The final version of a bill produced by a conference committee after reconciling differences between the House and Senate versions. Legislative Process Congress The legislative branch of the U.S. federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. A new Congress convenes every two years. Congress Congressional District A geographic area represented by a single member of the House of Representatives. Districts are redrawn every 10 years after the census. Congress Congressional Record The official daily record of the debates and proceedings of Congress. Published by the Government Publishing Office for every day Congress is in session. Congress Congressional Review Act A 1996 law that allows Congress to overturn federal regulations by passing a joint resolution of disapproval within 60 legislative days of the rule's publication. Regulatory Process Continuing Resolution Temporary legislation that funds the federal government at existing levels when regular appropriations bills have not been enacted by the start of the fiscal year. Legislative Process Contribution Limit The maximum amount an individual, PAC, or party can contribute to a candidate or political committee per election cycle, as set by the FEC. Campaign Finance Coordinated Expenditure Spending made in cooperation with, or at the request of, a candidate or campaign. Subject to contribution limits unlike independent expenditures. Campaign Finance CRS Congressional Research Service. A nonpartisan research arm of the Library of Congress that provides policy analysis and research to members of Congress. Congress D 10 terms
Dark Money Political spending by nonprofit organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Campaign Finance Debt Ceiling The maximum amount of money the federal government is authorized to borrow. Congress must vote to raise or suspend it to avoid default. Budget & Spending Deficit The amount by which federal government spending exceeds revenue in a given fiscal year. Budget & Spending Delegate A non-voting member of the House representing a U.S. territory (Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands) or Washington D.C. Congress Discharge Petition A procedure in the House requiring 218 signatures to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote, bypassing the committee chair. Legislative Process Disclosure The legal requirement for candidates, PACs, and parties to publicly report their financial activity, including contributions received and expenditures made. Campaign Finance Discretionary Spending Federal spending that Congress sets annually through the appropriations process, including defense, education, and infrastructure. Budget & Spending Dissent A written opinion by a judge who disagrees with the majority decision. Dissents have no legal force but can influence future rulings. Judiciary District Court The trial courts of the federal court system. There are 94 federal judicial districts, with at least one in each state. Judiciary Division Vote A vote in which members stand to be counted for or against a measure. More precise than a voice vote but does not record individual positions. Voting E 11 terms
Early Voting The process of voting before Election Day during a designated period, available in most states to increase voter access and reduce long lines. Elections Earmark A provision in legislation directing funds to a specific project, program, or organization, typically requested by a member of Congress for their district or state. Campaign Finance Electioneering Communication A broadcast, cable, or satellite communication that refers to a clearly identified federal candidate and is made within 30 days of a primary or 60 days of a general election. Campaign Finance Electoral College The body of 538 electors who formally elect the President and Vice President. A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win. Elections En Banc A hearing before all judges of a court, rather than a smaller panel. Circuit courts may rehear cases en banc when the issues are particularly significant. Judiciary Engrossed Bill The official copy of a bill as passed by one chamber, incorporating all amendments adopted during floor debate. Legislative Process Enrolled Bill The final official copy of a bill that has passed both chambers in identical form, prepared for presentation to the President. Legislative Process Entitlement A government program that provides benefits to all eligible individuals who meet the criteria, regardless of the total cost. Examples include Social Security and Medicare. Budget & Spending Executive Department One of the 15 federal departments headed by a Cabinet secretary (e.g., Department of Defense, Department of Education). Executive Branch Executive Order A directive issued by the President to manage operations of the federal government. Has the force of law but can be reversed by future presidents. Executive Branch Executive Privilege The power claimed by the President to resist subpoenas and other demands from Congress or the courts for information and testimony. Executive Branch F 8 terms
FEC Federal Election Commission. The independent agency that enforces campaign finance laws for federal elections. Campaign Finance Federal Court A court established by the federal government to hear cases involving federal law, the Constitution, or disputes between states. Judiciary Federal Register The daily journal of the U.S. government, publishing proposed rules, final rules, executive orders, and other official documents from federal agencies. Executive Branch Filibuster A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote by extending debate. Can only be ended by invoking cloture. Legislative Process Final Rule A regulation published in the Federal Register after the comment period that has the force and effect of law. Regulatory Process Fiscal Year The federal government's accounting year, running from October 1 through September 30. FY2026 began on October 1, 2025. Budget & Spending Floor The main chamber of either the House or Senate where members debate and vote on legislation. Congress Franking Privilege The ability of members of Congress to send official mail to constituents without postage, using their signature (frank) in place of a stamp. Congress G 6 terms
GAO Government Accountability Office. An independent agency that audits and evaluates federal programs and expenditures for Congress. Congress General Assembly The official name for the state legislature in many states. Also used to refer to the full body of both legislative chambers. State Government General Election The final election to fill a political office. For federal offices, held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Elections Gerrymandering The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group over another. Elections Government Shutdown The suspension of non-essential federal government operations when Congress fails to pass funding legislation by the start of the fiscal year. Budget & Spending Governor The chief executive of a state, responsible for implementing state laws and overseeing the state's executive branch. State Government H 6 terms
Hard Money Campaign contributions that are subject to federal limits and disclosure requirements. Campaign Finance Hearing A formal meeting where a committee gathers information from witnesses through testimony. May be legislative, oversight, or investigative. Committees Hold An informal practice in the Senate where a senator asks party leadership to delay floor action on a bill or nomination, effectively a one-person filibuster threat. Legislative Process Home Rule The authority granted by a state to its cities and counties to govern their own local affairs, including the power to enact local ordinances. State Government Hopper The box on the House Clerk's desk where members deposit bills for introduction. Placing a bill in the hopper is the first step in the legislative process. Legislative Process House of Representatives The lower chamber of Congress with 435 voting members, apportioned among the states by population. Representatives serve two-year terms. Congress I 6 terms
Incumbent A person currently holding an elected office who is seeking re-election. Elections Independent Expenditure Spending on political communications that expressly advocate for or against a candidate, made without coordination with any campaign. Campaign Finance Injunction A court order requiring a party to do or refrain from doing a specific act. Preliminary injunctions can block laws from taking effect while cases proceed. Judiciary Inspector General An independent official within a federal agency who investigates waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government programs. Executive Branch Interim Final Rule A regulation that takes effect immediately upon publication but still accepts public comments. Used when agencies determine there is good cause to skip the proposed rule stage. Regulatory Process Interstate Compact A formal agreement between two or more states, authorized by Congress, to address shared issues like water rights, transportation, or elections. State Government J 3 terms
Joint Committee A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate. Often focused on administrative or investigative matters. Committees Joint Resolution A legislative measure that requires approval by both the House and Senate and the signature of the President. Has the same force as a bill when enacted. Legislative Process Judicial Review The power of courts to determine whether laws and government actions are constitutional. Established in Marbury v. Madison (1803). Judiciary L 6 terms
Lame Duck Session A session of Congress that takes place after Election Day but before the new Congress is sworn in on January 3rd. Congress Leadership PAC A political action committee established by a current or former officeholder to raise money for other candidates, party organizations, and political causes. Campaign Finance Lieutenant Governor The second-highest executive official in most states. Often presides over the state senate and succeeds the governor if needed. State Government Line-Item Veto The power of some governors to reject individual provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation. Not available to the President. State Government Lobbying Disclosure Act A 1995 federal law requiring lobbyists to register with Congress and disclose their clients, issues, and spending. Campaign Finance Lobbyist A person who is paid to influence government decisions on behalf of an organization, industry, or interest group. Must register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Campaign Finance M 7 terms
Majority Leader The floor leader of the majority party in each chamber. In the Senate, schedules legislation and manages floor proceedings. Congress Mandatory Spending Federal spending required by existing law, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Makes up about two-thirds of the federal budget. Budget & Spending Markup The process by which a congressional committee debates, amends, and rewrites proposed legislation. Legislative Process Midterm Election A general election held in the middle of a president's four-year term. All House seats and one-third of Senate seats are contested. Elections Minority Leader The floor leader of the minority party in each chamber. Coordinates strategy and serves as chief spokesperson for the minority. Congress Motion to Recommit A procedural motion to send a bill back to committee, typically with instructions. The minority party's last chance to amend or kill a bill. Voting Motion to Table A procedural motion to set aside a bill or amendment indefinitely. If passed, it effectively kills the measure without a direct vote on the merits. Voting N 4 terms
National Debt The total amount of money the federal government owes to creditors, accumulated over time from annual deficits. Budget & Spending National Security Council A forum of senior officials who advise the President on national security and foreign policy matters. Executive Branch NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. A public announcement by a federal agency of a proposed new regulation, published in the Federal Register to invite public comment. Regulatory Process Nuclear Option A Senate procedure that changes the rules to allow a simple majority to end debate, bypassing the 60-vote cloture requirement. Used for judicial nominations since 2013. Legislative Process O 6 terms
OIRA Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. A division within OMB that reviews significant federal regulations before they are published. Executive Branch OMB Office of Management and Budget. The largest office within the Executive Office of the President, responsible for the federal budget and regulatory oversight. Executive Branch Omnibus Bill A single piece of legislation that bundles together several measures, often covering multiple unrelated topics or appropriations. Legislative Process Open Primary A primary election in which voters may participate regardless of their party registration. Elections Oral Arguments Presentations made in person to a court by attorneys for both sides of a case. At the Supreme Court, each side typically gets 30 minutes. Judiciary Override The process by which Congress can reject a presidential veto. Requires a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate. Legislative Process P 11 terms
PAC Political Action Committee. An organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat candidates, subject to contribution limits. Campaign Finance Party-Line Vote A vote in which most or all members vote according to their party affiliation. Voting PAYGO Pay-As-You-Go rules requiring that new spending increases or tax cuts be offset by spending reductions or revenue increases elsewhere. Legislative Process Pocket Veto An indirect veto that occurs when the President does not sign a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days of passing it. Legislative Process Preemption The principle that state law overrides local law, or federal law overrides state law, when they conflict. States may preempt local gun or rent control laws. State Government President Pro Tempore The senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. Traditionally the longest-serving member of the majority party. Congress Presidential Memorandum A directive from the President to executive agencies, similar to an executive order but generally not required to be published in the Federal Register. Executive Branch Primary Election An election held to determine which candidates will represent a political party in the general election. Elections Proxy Voting A procedure allowing a member to designate another member to cast votes on their behalf. Used in the House during the COVID-19 pandemic. Voting Public Financing Government funding provided to qualified presidential candidates who agree to spending limits. Funded by the $3 checkoff on federal tax returns. Campaign Finance Public Law A bill or joint resolution that has been enacted into law. Assigned a public law number (e.g., P.L. 117-58). Legislative Process Q 1 term
Quorum The minimum number of members required to conduct business. In the House and Senate, a quorum is a simple majority (218 and 51, respectively). Voting R 20 terms
Ranked Choice Voting An electoral system where voters rank candidates by preference. If no candidate wins a majority, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and their votes redistributed. Elections Ranking Member The senior member of the minority party on a committee. Serves as the lead spokesperson for the minority on committee matters. Committees Recall Election A procedure allowing voters to remove an elected official from office before their term expires, through a special election. State Government Recess Appointment A presidential appointment made when the Senate is in recess, allowing the appointee to serve temporarily without Senate confirmation. Executive Branch Reconciliation A special budget process that allows certain tax, spending, and debt limit legislation to pass the Senate with a simple majority (51 votes) instead of the usual 60. Legislative Process Recorded Vote Any vote in which each member's position is officially recorded and made public. Synonymous with roll call vote in practice. Voting Recusal When a judge voluntarily removes themselves from a case due to a potential conflict of interest or appearance of bias. Judiciary Redistricting The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically after each decennial census. Elections Referendum A direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal, typically a law passed by the legislature. Elections Referral The assignment of a bill to the appropriate committee(s) for consideration, typically done by the Speaker of the House or the Senate presiding officer. Legislative Process Regulatory Impact Analysis An assessment of the costs, benefits, and economic impact of a proposed regulation, required for significant rules by Executive Order 12866. Regulatory Process Representative A member of the House of Representatives. Also called a Congressman or Congresswoman. Congress Resident Commissioner Puerto Rico's delegate to the House of Representatives. Serves a four-year term, unlike other delegates who serve two-year terms. Congress Resolution A formal expression of opinion or intent by one or both chambers. Unlike bills, simple resolutions do not have the force of law. Legislative Process Revolving Door The movement of personnel between roles as legislators or regulators and positions in the industries they previously oversaw. Campaign Finance Rider A provision added to a bill that is not directly related to the bill's main subject, often used to pass measures that might not succeed on their own. Legislative Process Roll Call Vote A vote in which each member's position is recorded by name. Also called a "recorded vote" or "yea and nay vote." Voting Rule A resolution from the House Rules Committee that sets the terms for floor debate on a bill, including time limits and which amendments may be offered. Legislative Process Rulemaking Petition A formal request by a member of the public asking a federal agency to issue, amend, or repeal a regulation. Agencies must respond to petitions. Regulatory Process Runoff Election A second election held when no candidate achieves the required margin of victory in the first round, typically between the top two vote-getters. Elections S 22 terms
Secretary of State A state official who typically oversees elections, business registrations, and maintains official state records. Role varies by state. State Government Select Committee A temporary committee created to investigate a specific issue or perform a specific function. May also be called a special committee. Committees Senate The upper chamber of Congress with 100 members—two from each state. Senators serve six-year terms, with one-third up for election every two years. Congress Senator A member of the Senate. Each state has two Senators regardless of population. Congress Sequestration Automatic, across-the-board spending cuts triggered when Congress fails to meet deficit reduction targets set by the Budget Control Act. Budget & Spending Signing Statement A written comment issued by the President when signing a bill into law, sometimes used to express constitutional objections or interpret provisions. Executive Branch Sine Die Latin for "without day." An adjournment sine die ends a session of Congress with no date set for reconvening. Congress Soft Money Funds raised outside federal limits, historically used for party-building activities. Largely banned by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Campaign Finance Speaker of the House The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and second in the presidential line of succession. Elected by the full House. Congress Special Election An election held outside the regular election schedule to fill a vacancy in office caused by death, resignation, or removal. Elections Standing The legal right to bring a lawsuit. A plaintiff must show they suffered an actual injury caused by the defendant that the court can remedy. Judiciary Standing Committee A permanent committee with jurisdiction over specific policy areas. Most legislation is referred to standing committees for consideration. Committees Stare Decisis Latin for "to stand by things decided." The legal principle that courts should follow precedent established by prior decisions. Judiciary State Legislature The lawmaking body of a state. Most states have a bicameral legislature with a senate and house/assembly. State Government State of the Union The annual address by the President to Congress, typically delivered in January or February, outlining the administration's legislative priorities. Executive Branch State Treasurer The state official responsible for managing state funds, investments, and financial operations. State Government Subcommittee A subdivision of a standing committee that focuses on a narrower policy area within the committee's jurisdiction. Committees Super PAC An independent expenditure-only committee that can raise unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and unions to support or oppose candidates. Campaign Finance Supermajority A voting threshold greater than a simple majority, such as two-thirds (to override a veto) or three-fifths (to invoke cloture in the Senate). Voting Supreme Court The highest court in the federal judiciary, consisting of nine justices who serve lifetime appointments. Judiciary Suspension of the Rules A House procedure that limits debate to 40 minutes, forbids amendments, and requires a two-thirds vote for passage. Used for non-controversial bills. Legislative Process Swing State A state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support and the outcome of elections is uncertain. Elections T 2 terms
Teller Vote A vote in which members walk past designated tellers who count them. Rarely used in modern congressional proceedings. Voting Term Limit A legal restriction on the number of terms an elected official may serve. Many states impose term limits on governors and state legislators. State Government U 3 terms
Unanimous Consent A procedure allowing action without a formal vote if no member objects. Used to expedite routine business. Voting Unicameral A legislature with only one chamber. Nebraska is the only U.S. state with a unicameral legislature. State Government Unified Agenda A semiannual publication listing all regulations that federal agencies plan to propose, finalize, or review in the coming year. Regulatory Process V 4 terms
Veto The President's constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Legislative Process Veto Override A vote by Congress to enact a bill despite a presidential veto. Requires a two-thirds supermajority in both the House and Senate. Voting Voice Vote A vote taken by members calling out "aye" or "no" together. Individual positions are not recorded. Voting Voter Registration The process by which eligible citizens enroll to vote. Requirements vary by state, with some states offering same-day registration. Elections W 2 terms
Whip A party leader responsible for counting votes, ensuring party discipline, and communicating the party's position to members. Congress Writ of Habeas Corpus A legal order requiring a person holding a prisoner to bring the prisoner before a court to determine if their detention is lawful. Judiciary Y 1 term
Yield To give up the remainder of one's speaking time on the floor to another member or back to the presiding officer. Congress Note: This glossary provides general definitions for educational purposes. For official interpretations, consult primary legal sources or congressional documentation.