civics test - Unit 2: The National Government Review

Speaker of the House

This person is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and is chosen by members of the majority party

President Pro Tempore of the Senate

This person is the presiding officer in the Senate when the vice president is absent

Expressed Powers

Powers of Congress that are specifically listed in Constitution

Implied Power

A power that Congress has that is not listed in the Constitution

Elastic Clause

This clause in the Constitution gives Congress the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its expressed powers

Joint Resolutions

A resolution that is passed by both houses of Congress that can become law if signed by the president

Riders

A completely unrelated amendment added to a bill

Filibuster

A tactic used by a Senator to defeat a bill by talking until the bill’s sponsor withdraws it

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate that limits debate on a bill, by restricting how long a Senator can speak to one hour. This is often used to end a filibuster

Electors

People appointed to vote in presidential elections for president and vice president

Qualifications to be President

35 years old, native-born American citizen, must have lived in the United States for 14 years

Executive order

A rule or command the president gives that has the force of law

Presidential Succession

The order in which officials are expected to come next to the office. The first three following the president are: Vice President, Speaker of the House, President pro tempore of the Senate

Pardon

A declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment

Reprieve

An order to delay a person’s punishment until a higher court can hear the case

Ambassador

An official representative of a country’s government in other nations

Foreign policy

The nation’s overall plan for dealing with other nations

National Security

The ability to keep the country safe from attack or harm

Treaty

A formal agreement between the governments of two or more nations. Treaties can be made concerning defense, the economy, or other topics.

Trade Sanctions

An effort to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers

Cabinet

A group of advisors to the president that includes the heads of 15 top-level executive departments

Dual court system

A court system made up of both federal and state courts

Exclusive Jurisdiction

The authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases

Concurrent Jurisdiction

The authority of both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear cases for the first time

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case appealed from a lower court

Ruling

An official decision by a judge or a court that settles a case and may also establish the meaning of a law

Opinion

A detailed explanation of the legal thinking behind a court’s decision

Precedent

A ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution