Congress and Congressional Powers

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the powers, organization, and legislative processes of the United States Congress based on lecture notes.

Expressed powers

Powers delegated to Congress that are stated explicitly in the specific wording of the Constitution.

Implied powers

Powers delegated to Congress that are found by reasonable deduction from the expressed powers.

Inherent powers

Powers delegated to Congress by creating a national government for the United States.

Tax

A charge levied by the government on persons or property to raise money to meet public needs.

Protective tariff

A tax used to protect domestic industry against foreign competition by increasing the cost of foreign goods.

Deficit financing

A practice where the Federal Government spends more money than it takes in.

Federal debt

The total amount of money borrowed by the government which stood at $33$ trillion in $2023$.

Commerce Power

The power of Congress to regulate trade and the tax of goods, vital to the welfare of the nation.

Naturalization

The exclusive power of Congress to establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization.

Postal Power

The power to establish post offices and post roads, which has also led to the establishment of crimes such as mail fraud.

Electoral Duties (House)

The responsibility to elect a President if no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, with the House deciding by state vote.

Electoral Duties (Senate)

The responsibility of the Senate to choose a Vice President if no majority is reached in the electoral college.

Impeachment

The sole power of the House of Representatives to accuse or bring charges against a civil officer.

The Senate's Impeachment Role

The sole power to try and judge impeachment cases, acting as a court.

Impeachment Conviction Requirement

A conviction in an impeachment trial requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate.

Senate Executive Powers

The power to confirm major presidential appointments by majority vote and approve treaties by a two-thirds vote.

State of the Union Message

A report delivered by the President to a joint committee of Congress in late January or early February regarding the domestic and foreign state of the nation.

Speaker of the House

The elected presiding officer of the House and leader of the majority party who names committee members and signs all passed bills.

President of the Senate

A role held by the Vice President of the United States to recognize members and put questions to a vote.

President pro tempore

A leading member of the majority party, usually the longest serving, who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Party Caucus

A closed meeting of the members of each party to select floor leaders and handle questions of committee membership.

Floor leaders

Legislative strategists picked by their colleagues to carry out party decisions and steer floor action to their party's benefit.

Whips

Assistants to the floor leaders who serve as a link between leadership and rank-and-file members to track vote counts.

Committee Chairman

The head of a committee, usually chosen by seniority, who decides which bills to take up and when to hold public hearings.

Standing Committees

Permanent panels in each house of Congress to which all bills of a similar nature could be sent to divide the workload.

House Rules Committee

Known as the "traffic cop" of the House, it decides how and when bills reach the floor for consideration.

Select Committees

Panels set up for a specific purpose and usually for a limited time to investigate specific matters.

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and the Senate, often created to perform routine duties and avoid duplication.