Congressional Structure, Powers, and Legislative Procedures

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering congressional procedures, leadership roles, committee types, constitutional powers, and chamber qualifications.

Impeachment (House of Representatives Role)

The constitutional power of the House of Representatives to formally charge a federal officer with misconduct.

Impeachment Trial (Senate Role)

The constitutional duty where the Senate conducts a trial to determine whether to convict and remove an impeached federal officer.

House Rules Committee

A powerful standing committee in the House of Representatives that decides what is debated and sets the timing and terms for legislation moving to the House floor.

Standing Committee

A permanent legislative committee responsible for handling daily legislation and oversight.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile different versions of a bill passed by the House and the Senate.

Joint Committee

A legislative committee composed of members from both chambers of Congress (the House and the Senate).

Senate Debate

Floor proceedings in the Senate where members can speak for an infinite amount of time as long as they wish.

Filibuster

A legislative maneuver in the Senate designed to prolong, delay, or block a final vote on legislation.

Cloture

A parliamentary procedure used in the Senate to formally end a filibuster.

Expressed Powers

Government powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Denied Powers

Powers explicitly forbidden to Congress by the Constitution.

Continuous Body

A characteristic of the Senate where members are elected on a staggered basis rather than all seats being up for election at once.

Presidential Veto Override

The congressional process of repassing a bill rejected by the President by achieving a $\frac{2}{3}$ majority vote in both chambers.

Formal Qualifications for the Senate

Requirements stating a candidate must be at least $30$ years old prior to the oath, a U.S. citizen for at least $9$ years prior to the oath, and an inhabitant of the state they represent at the time of election.

Formal Qualifications for the House of Representatives

Requirements stating a candidate must be at least $25$ years old prior to the oath, a U.S. citizen for at least $7$ years prior to the oath, and an inhabitant of the state they represent at the time of election.

Party Leader

The official head or chief spokesperson of a political party.

Majority Leader

The head of the political party that holds the most seats in a legislative body.

Minority Leader

The elected leader of the political party holding the second highest number of members in a legislative body.

Vice President (Legislative Role)

The constitutional President of the Senate who breaks ties in floor votes.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives who decides which bills reach the floor.

Special Session

A congressional meeting called outside of the normal calendar, usually convened for emergencies.

Session

A scheduled working period during which Congress conducts legislative business.

Term

The total multi-year period that elected officials serve in office.

Adjourn

An official action that ends a congressional session or daily meeting.

Recess

A temporary pause or break within an ongoing legislative session.