what is the definition of "congressional caucus"?
109811
A Congressional caucus is specific group of members that meet for a purpose.  All Republicans, for example, would be a caucus when they meet to elect their leadership.  Black members have long had a powerful caucus.  Any group of members with a common interest or desire often form caucuses to create support for legislation or action.
630369
Legislature, branch of government empowered to make, change, or repeal its laws and to levy and regulate its taxes. Most modern legislatures are representative: composed of many members who are chosen directly or indirectly by popular vote. Legislatures that provide direct representation are usually considered more democratic in practice because they are less susceptible to being dominated by a single faction.\n\nNearly all modern governments have a bicameral, or two-house, legislature. The so-called lower house is generally elected on a basis of direct representation; and the upper house commonly on a basis either of indirect representation or of direct representation limited to certain occupational, territorial, or hereditary categories. The traditional theoretical justification for an upper house is that it can exercise moderation and delay on legislation by the lower house and thus restrain the effects of impulsive or excessive fluctuations of public opinion. A few governments, however, including that of the state of Nebraska, have unicameral, or single-house, legislatures.\n\nThe various legislatures throughout the world are known by different names, such as Congress, Parliament, Knesset, Diet, and Assembly. Most are limited in their powers by the Constitution or organic law of the government of which they are a part. The enactments of the U.S. Congress, for example, can be vetoed by the president, and the Congress must approve by a two-thirds majority any bill it wishes to pass despite a presidential veto. The British Parliament, on the other hand, chooses its own prime minister and cabinet, who are ultimately responsible to it for all their administrative actions. Being legislative as well as executive or administrative leaders, these officials have considerable power to initiate and influence legislation desired by their administrative departments. The tendency in most modern governments has been toward increasing assumption of legislative powers by administrative officials, with a consequent weakening of the legislatures. Many political scientists ascribe this to growing public impatience with the uncertainties of party politics within legislatures. The trend is also attributed to the increasing complexity of modern government, which requires the use of people with specialized skills, often not found in publicly elected legislatures, for the drafting of laws\n\nMicrosoft ® Encarta ® 2006. © 1993-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
496832
It means which political party you're affiliated with.  There are more than that, but these two parties are the ones which hold the most clout.  You can find out more at :\n\nhttp://politics1.com\n\nIt's a great site.
80034
I'm not sure what you mean by this. If you're talking about congressional district, they're inside of states (as in, a state will have a number of districts inside it).\n\nIf you're talking about Federal Reserve districts, the 7th districts is based in Chicago and covers the northern half of Illinois, the northern half of Indiana, all of Iowa, the southern half of Wisconsin, and the southern piece of Michigan.
697841
Party Bosses- A person who wields de facto power over a particular political region or constituency. (Significance: May dictate voting patterns, control appointments, and wield considerable influence in other political processes.)\n\nDebates- A televised event in which voters can judge the candidates for themselves. (Significance: Can change the way a person votes in an election.)\n\nNominating Conventions- A party’s members meet in a local caucus to pick candidates for local offices and, at the same time, to select delegates to represent them at a county convention. (Example: The first national convention to nominate a presidential candidate was held by a minor party, the Anti-Masons, in Baltimore in 1831.)
786020
Neddie...(I really hate to have to keep correcting you, but this one's almost funny!)\n\nFirst, a definition:\n\nBlue Dog Democrat: "One of 33 conservative Democratic Members of the House of Representatives who have banded together to support a more centrist position on economic issues than that held by their party's leadership". \n\nSource: C-Span Congressional Glossary (see link below)\n\nThe "Blue Dog Democrats" were formed in Louisiana in 1994, the year of Newt Gingrich's congressional coalition and "Contract with America".  Their purpose was to move the Democratic Party in a more conservative direction.  \n\nEver heard of Zell Miller?\n\nIf they are going to do anything in the coming days, they will be moving closer to Republicans and further away from the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.  \n\nIf you don't believe me, just read the platforms of James Webb, Harold Ford and Bob Casey, or better yet, the following synopsis of an October 30th article published by that bastion of right wing propaganda, The New York Times (see link below):\n\n"Democrats eager to win back control of House turn to conservative and moderate candidates who fit profiles of their districts more closely than profile of national party; if such candidates win, they may be expected to side with Republicans and Bush White House, leading to tensions between party's new centrists and its more liberal political base; Democratic officials say they searched for candidates with greatest possibility of winning against Republicans, and wound up with number who reflect more moderate views; say this held true in suburban areas and some rural districts in particular; if crop of moderate and conservative Democrats arrive on Capitol Hill as members of Democratic majority, they would not have clout to change face of Congress; but party veterans would regain chairmanships and House leadership posts..."\n\nTo use your words, if these guys are going to “guide America down the right path…”, it will truly be down the RIGHT path!  \n\nHilarious!
236646
Bipartisan means that both parties (Democrats and Republicans) are working together on a certain legislation (law).
632825
It refers to two groups agree on the same terms.  In the US Congress, if you see bipartisan that means both parties (Democrats and Republicans) are supporting a certain legislation.
103261
1) New bills usually go directly to subcommittee, which can hold hearings on bill \n2) Committee/subcommittee staffs conduct research, line up witnesses for hearings \n3) Write and rewrite bills \n4) Committee/subcommittee report on proposed legislation \n5) Reports are bound in beige or green covers - available from Government Printing Office \n6) Committees most important output: "marked up" (rewritten) bill \n7) Bill submitted to full House or Senate for debate and voting
591005
There are two houses of congress, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. \n\nThe Senate has two representatives (Senators) from each state.\n\nThe House of Representatives has representatives based on the population in each state.\n\nA Congressman may be either a Senator or a Representative. Generally, the distinction is Congressman and Senator, but not always.\n\nSenators, by virtue of the fact that there only 100, have more power. I don't know exactly how many Representatives there are - you could probably find that datum fairly quickly, and I am too lazy to do it for you. I think a conservative estimate is that there are more that 3 representatives for every Senator.
281803
Congress is bicameral. There is the House of Representatives and the Senate.
567678
D.Conference Committee\n\n   1. Members from each house form a conference committee and meet to work out the differences. The committee is usually made up of senior members who are appointed by the presiding officers of the committee that originally dealt with the bill. The representatives from each house work to maintain their version of the bill.\n   2. If the Conference Committee reaches a compromise, it prepares a written conference report, which is submitted to each chamber.\n   3. The conference report must be approved by both the House and the Senate.
1133920
I'm not going to repeat what's already been mentioned, but the Senate is considered the 'upper house' of Congress, and the House of Representatives is considered the 'lower house,' which is why the Senate has special roles (like passing treaties, etc.).
954220
the senate, and filibuster.\nsee http://www.thisnation.com/question/037.html\nthis gives a pretty good definition.
1071241
Hey, I was a national delegate for my state.  What you need to do help create a caucus at the state convention.  At the  beginning of the convention, they will ask for caucuses, and then you just have to get to a mic and propose a caucus and speak passionately for it (i.e., Agriculture, Education, etc.)  They will then vote on the caucuses and a few caucuses will be formed.\n\nThroughout the convention, it is important to be seen and to be heard.  You want to make sure that you are talking on the convention floor, as well as to individual delegates.  It's important to build a base. (It also helps to have a state representative introducing to people and to take you underneath their wing!)\n\nOnce it comes to voting, you will split into the caucuses.  Make sure that you bring enough people to vote for you and to speak on your behalf.  Also, make sure you have a small speech prepared, detailing why you would make a great delegate.\n\nI did all of these things, and it helped me get to National Convention in Boston!  Best experience of my life.  Work hard and you can get it!
783087
Are these sentences correct?\nEveryone has their own charisma on people and things.  (The use of "their" has become common, though you can use his/her.)  I'm not so sure about "on people and things."  This would require some previous reference to that phrase in order to make sense.\nCertain families have bipartisan members.  (Bipartisans is not a word.)\nAt election time, they canvass every vote at least twice.\nThe school board caucuses (or caucused).  (A caucus is a meeting.)
956949
My understanding is that he negotiated to keep his seniority and committee assignments--but that those rights would not necessarily have been his as an independent.  But the Dem leadership knew they need his vote and backing to have the majority.  He also has the right to caucus with whichever party he chooses.  (He chose the Dems.)