Definition of Motion To Recommit Imagine you’re working on a group project and just before you hand it in, one of your teammates finds a mistake. They ask the group to hold on, review the project, and fix the error before submitting it. That’s a bit like what a “Motion to Recommit” is in the United States House of Representatives. It’s when a member of the House asks ... »
Definition of Minority Whip The Minority Whip is one of the leaders of a political party that does not have the most people in one of the two parts of the US Congress—the House of Representatives or the Senate. This person has the job of figuring out how many votes their party has for or against laws and making sure their party’s members are there to vote and know which way the party wants t... »
Simple Definitions of Majority Whip The Majority Whip in United States politics is similar to a head organizer who makes sure their team is playing together well. When you’re on a sports team, there’s often someone who helps make sure everyone knows the plays and is working together. The Majority Whip is like that person but in the government for the group that has the most people in e... »
What is a Minority Leader? A minority leader is like the main representative for a team that doesn’t have the most players in the United States Congress. Just as a coach leads a sports team, the minority leader directs their team of lawmakers from their party, which has fewer members compared to the other main party. Their main job is to organize their members, speak on their behalf, and provide d... »
Definition of Majority Leader The Majority Leader is a powerful person in government who leads the largest group in a legislative place, like Congress. This leader is like the captain of a team, guiding the members on what to focus on and when to talk about it. They also make sure everyone in their group agrees on important decisions. To be a good Majority Leader, you need to earn the trust of oth... »
Definition A joint resolution is a kind of proposal that Congress uses to make important decisions that have the power of law, as long as the President agrees. Think of it like this: Imagine you and your friends need to agree on a set of rules for a game you’re playing. You write down the rules, everyone discusses them, and if you all agree, you sign off on them and start playing. A joint resoluti... »
Definition of Incumbent To understand the word “incumbent,” think about your school’s student council president. If they were to run for the position again next year while they already have the role, that person would be the incumbent. Another way to think of an incumbent is like someone who is currently living in a house and has the possibility to stay there if they choose to an... »
What is Grassroots? Grassroots has two simple meanings. First, it’s like the roots of a plant that are spread out under the soil; this represents the common people in a society. These are everyday folks like students, parents, and workers – the ones who aren’t big-time politicians or rich CEOs. Second, it’s the action these people take from their homes and communities to pu... »
Definition of Debate Imagine two people with different ideas. They talk about their thoughts in front of others, each trying to show why their ideas are good. This is a debate, a special kind of discussion about a specific topic. The people in a debate share their points of view, give reasons for their ideas, and also say why they think the other person’s ideas might not be right. They’... »
Definition of Constituency A constituency is like a special club where the members pick a leader to speak for them. This leader then goes to a place like a government assembly and makes decisions on their behalf. It’s a way for regular people to have a say in the rules and laws that affect their lives. Imagine you’re on a sports team and you need someone to talk to the coach about the ... »