Federal budget: The list of all planned expenditures the federal government expects to make over a year.

GOP: Short for "Grand Old Party," a nickname of the Republican Party.

Immunity: Protection from prosecution; usually extended to someone who can help the prosecution win its case.

Keynote address: The most important speech during opening ceremonies of an organized meeting.

Kickbacks: Secret payments made to a group or business for having arranged a work or supply contract with another business. The other business makes a secret payment to influence the awarding of the contract.

Lieutenant governor: Similar to vice-president; an official who serves under an elected governor and succeeds to office if the governor is unable to perform his or her duties.

Lobbyist: A person hired to represent the interests of a particular group to elected officials.

Midterm elections: Congressional elections that occur halfway through a...