Unit 2: Part 1- Congress Vocab

Enumerated powers

Enumerated powers

Written in the constitution that specifically grant Congress certain authorities, such as the power to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

Implied powers

Not specifically written in the Constitution but are inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause

Necessary and proper clause

Gives Congress the power to make laws related to carrying out its enumerated powers, but Supreme Court interpretations can influence the extent of these powers.

Checks and balances

allow legal actions to be taken against public officials deemed to have abused their power

Bicameralism

two-house legislature

Speaker of the House

elected by a majority of House members and presides over the legislative work in the House

President of the Senate

Senate Majority Leader

Filibuster

a tactic to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill

Cloture

a procedure to end a debate

Holds

a filing by a Senator to prevent a bill from getting to the floor for a vote

Discretionary rule making

Redistricting

redrawing of congressional districts by state legislatures based on congressional reapportionment

Baker v. Carr (1962)

This case held that redistricting did not raise political questions, allowing federal courts to hear other cases that challenge redistricting plans that may violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause, majority-minority districts, created under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.

Rules Committee

establishes rules for debate on a bill in the House

Committee of the Whole

a committee formed in the House to expedite debate on bills

Discharge petitions

a filing by a House member to have a bill brough to the floor for debate, but rarely done

Discretionary spending

Mandatory spending

Pork barrel legislation

Logrolling

Congressional oversight

Entitlement

Partisanship

Gridlock

Gerrymandering

Divided government

Trustee (as related to constituent accountability in each chamber)

Delegate (as related to constituent accountability in each chamber)