Government Vocab 2

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Veto

to reject

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause of the Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers, has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government

Supremacy Clause

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.

block grants

Grants that allow the states more flexibility in how they use the money provided by the grants

Mandates

terms set by the national government that states must meet whether or not they accept federal grants

Commerce Clause

The section of the Constitution in which Congress is given the power to regulate trade among the states and with foreign countries.

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives