Civics Vocab List #2

Federalism

a system of government that divides power between a central national government and individual regional governments, such as states or provinces.

Concurrent Powers

political powers shared by both the federal and state governments.

Reserved Powers

political powers that a constitution does not grant to the central government or deny to the states, leaving them instead for regional or state governments.

Checks and Balances

provides each branch of government with individual powers to check the other branches and prevent any one branch from becoming two powerful.

Constituent

any one of the people who love and vote in an area.

Bill

a formal proposal for a new law of a plan to change an existing law.

Interest Groups

a group, however loosely or tightly organized, that is determined to encourage or prevent changes in public policy without trying to be elected.

Lobbyist

an individual who is compensated to communicate directly with any state, legislative or agency official to influence legislative or administrative action on behalf of their employer or client.

Bill of Attainder

legislation that declares an individual or group guilty of a crime and imposes punishment without the benefit of a judicial proceeding.

Speaker of the House

the political and parliamentary leader of the House; chief officer of the U.S. House of Reps.

President Pro Tempore

a high-ranking senator who runs meetings in the U.S. Senate when the vice president is not there.

Floor Leaders

a member of a legislative body chosen by a party to have charge of its organization and strategy on the floor.

Pocket Veto

an indirect way for a president to kill a bill by refusing to sign it while Congress is adjourned.

Foreign Policy

a government’s strategy for dealing with other nations and international organizations.

Executive Agreement

an international pact made by the U.S. President with a foreign government that does not require the two-thirds Senate approval needed for a formal treaty.

Domestic Policy

the set of laws, plans, and decision that a government makes to handle issues and internal affairs within its own country.