A “smoke-filled room” is used to describe a situation where politicians or other powerful individuals gather in a private, enclosed space to make important decisions …
A pro forma session is a brief meeting of a legislative body, typically lasting only a few minutes, during which no formal business
Logrolling refers to a quid pro quo exchange of favors.
In politics, it generally refers to vote-trading by lawmakers to ensure that each …
A “conference committee” is a temporary joint committee specifically created to reconcile differences between House-passed and Senate-passed versions of a bill.
Comprising an equal number …
The term “casework” refers to assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents who need help while filing a grievance with the federal government or …
K Street refers to the area in downtown Washington, D.C. where many lobbyists, lawyers and advocacy groups have their offices.
The term has become synonymous …
“Dog whistle politics” is the practice of sending out coded political messages or subtle signals, which are designed to be understood only by …
“Packing the galleries” is an outdated practice in which campaign managers would fill up the seats at a political convention with their own supporters.
In …
The “yeas and nays” is a recorded roll call vote of members of the House or Senate.
The term “yeas” refers to votes in favor …
A peanut politician is one who practices politics on a petty scale and who is chiefly motivated by narrow self-interest.
Peanut politicians are also often …
“Whistle-stopping” is practice of making political speeches or appearances in many different towns during a short period of time.
The practice has lost some of …
A pork chopper is a union official who is in his position because of self-interest, not because he has the best interest of the other …
The term “clown car” is often used pejoratively in politics to describe a large and unwieldy field of candidates vying for a particular office, usually …
“Pressing the flesh” refers to shaking hands, usually in a warm and effusive manner. It is an integral part of most political campaigns …
A pooh bah is a person with great and often unchecked political power.
A pooh-bah may hold political office but is an ineffective leader who …
“Are you any better off” is a phrase commonly used in politics to question whether the policies and actions of a particular candidate or political …
“Inside the Beltway” is a term used to describe the political landscape and culture within the Capital Beltway, the Interstate 495 highway that encircles …
A caucus is an informal meeting of local party members to discuss candidates and choose delegates to their party’s convention.
It can also refer to …
A “big lie” is an extreme distortion of the truth, used for the purpose of spreading propaganda. It is often somewhat outrageous.
In theory, people …
In American politics, the term “mugwumps” was first used to describe those who left the Republican party in favor of the Democrats in …
The phrase “rising tide lifts all boats” expresses the idea that if the economy improves, every participant in the economy will be in an improved …
McCarthyism is a term used to describe the political practice of making accusations of disloyalty, subversion, or treason without adequate evidence.
The term is named
A “codel,” or congressional delegation, is a group of members of the United States Congress who travel together on official business.
These trips …
The term “ex officio” comes from the Latin phrase “from the office,” and in politics it refers to someone who is part of a political …
A “false flag” describes covert operations designed to deceive by creating the appearance that activities are being carried out by groups or nations other than …
The “vision thing” is a phrase that is famously associated with President George H.W. Bush from his time as vice president to Ronald Reagan.
A “watershed election” is an election which represents a major shift away from the current political situation and often marked by sweeping changes in party …
“Feeding at the public trough” is using government funds to enrich oneself.
Feeding at the public trough refers to activities which are, strictly speaking, legal, …
Impeachment is the process by which a public official, such as the President of the United States, can be removed from office for …
A yellow dog Democrat was a Southern voter who was unwavering in their loyalty to the Democratic party.
Those faithful Democrats swore that …
Blue slips are a long-standing Senate tradition that allows a Senator to signal opposition to a federal judicial nominee from their home state.…
“Presidential fever” is the overwhelming, fervent desire to be elected president of the United States. Presidential fever can also refer to an extreme love of …
In politics, a fishing expedition is a pejorative phrase to describe an investigation that lacks a clear scope and defined purpose.
Fishing expeditions are usually …
The “Phoney War” refers to a period of relative inactivity and low-intensity military operations at the beginning of World War II.
It was a time …
“Time in the barrel” refers to a period when a political candidate, party, or policy is subjected to intense scrutiny or attack by the media, …
A “red herring” is an argument or piece of information that distracts from a different and more important issue.
In some cases, political operatives may …
“Riddick’s Senate Procedure” is a comprehensive reference work that serves as the definitive guide to the rules, practices, and precedents governing the United States Senate.…
A “party boss” is a high-ranking individual within a political party, typically at the state or local level, who wields significant influence over …
“One man, one vote” is a slogan used to express an ideal of equal representation for all citizens.
One man, one vote is also often …
The Night Mayor is the informal name for a city official charged with taking care of issues that arise in a city after dark.
A …
“One minute speeches” refers to a procedure that allows members of a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress, to speak briefly