Unit 4 Civics

Single-Member District

A voting district that elects one representative.

Incumbent

An officeholder who is seeking reelection.

Constituents

The residents of a congressional district.

Congressional Districts

Geographic areas from which members are elected to the House of Representatives.

Census

A count of the population conducted every ten years.

Reapportionment

The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing district boundaries after reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party.

Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out expressed powers.

Inherent Powers

Powers that are not specified in the Constitution but are assumed to exist due to the country's sovereignty.

Delegated Powers

Powers specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not granted to the federal government and therefore reserved for the states.

'Necessary & Proper' Clause

A clause in the Constitution that allows Congress to make laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

President of the Senate

The vice president of the United States, who presides over the Senate.

president pro tempore

A senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president.

Majority / Minority Leaders

The leaders of the majority and minority parties in Congress.

Purpose of the Whip

To ensure party discipline and mobilize votes within the party.

Session / Term

The period during which Congress meets to conduct its business.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail without payment of postage.

Commerce Power

The power of Congress to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the states.

Oversight Power

The authority of Congress to monitor and supervise federal agencies and programs.

Process for Impeachment & Removal from Office

The House of Representatives impeaches an official (accusing them of breaking a law) and the Senate serves as the court to decide guilt or innocence and punishment

Which 3 Presidents have been impeached? For what?

Andrew Johnson -violating the 'Tenure of Office Act' (but really a partisan fight by Radical Republicans). Bill Clinton for perjury. Donald Trump for attempting to interfere with the 20216 election, and for the January 6 insurrection.

Republican Party

Also known as the Grand Old Party, is one of the two major political parties in the United States. Conservative. Seeks to limit Federal powers and strengthen State powers. Deregulation of business, lower taxes, traditional values.

Democratic Party

One of the major political parties in the US. Liberal. Seeks to use Federal power to protect individual rights against local discrimination. Believes the government can help with welfare, college grants, business loans, etc. Modern values.

Green Party

A minor party dedicated to the environment, social justice, nonviolence, and the foreign policy of nonintervention. Liberal

Libertarian Party

A minor party that believes in extremely limited government. Libertarians call for a free market system, expanded individual liberties such as drug legalization, and a foreign policy of nonintervention, free trade, and open immigration. Economically conservative, socially liberal

Peace and Freedom Party

Minor political party - strong advocate for the environment, and universal healthcare and education, socialism, feminist and pacifism. Far Left Liberal

American Independent Party

Minor political party - strongly supports a strict constructionist (originalist) interpretation of the Constitution, 2nd Amendment, Pro-Life, Pro-religion & prayer in school. Far Right Conservative