Understanding the U.S. Legislative and Executive Branches

Articles of Confederation

Early US governing document with weak central authority.

The Great Compromise

Established a bicameral legislature combining Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

Connecticut Compromise

Another name for The Great Compromise.

Bicameral Legislature

Legislative body with two chambers: House and Senate.

Upper House

Senate with equal representation: 2 members per state.

Lower House

House of Representatives with population-based representation.

3/5 Compromise

Counted enslaved individuals as 3/5 for representation.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

Congressional Prerogatives

Specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Authority to Tax

Power of Congress to levy taxes on citizens.

Borrow and Coin Money

Congress's power to manage national currency.

Operate Postal Service

Congress manages postal operations across the nation.

Declare War

Congress's exclusive power to initiate military conflict.

Raise and Support Armies

Congress can create and fund military forces.

Suppress Insurrections

Authority to quell rebellions and maintain order.

Build a Capital City

Congress responsible for establishing the nation's capital.

Making Laws

Congress's role in creating and approving legislation.

Veto Override

Requires 2/3 majority to override a presidential veto.

Treaty Approval

Requires 2/3 majority in Senate for treaty ratification.

Single-Member Districts

Each district elects one representative to Congress.

Plurality Rule

Candidate with most votes wins, not necessarily majority.

Proportional Representation

Seats allocated based on percentage of votes received.

Primary elections

Elections to select party candidates for general elections.

District boundaries

Geographical lines defining electoral districts.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

Trustee

Legislator making decisions based on personal views.

Delegate

Legislator voting based on constituents' feedback.

Constituency service

Assistance provided to constituents by Congress members.

Incumbency advantage

Benefits current officeholders have over challengers.

Pork-barrel bills

Spending benefiting a narrow constituency for political support.

Party discipline

Pressure on members to support party leadership's bills.

Speaker of the House

Constitutionally designated leader of the House of Representatives.

Reed's rules

Guidelines for committee assignments and legislative order.

Majority leader

Head of the party with the most congressional seats.

Whip

Party member coordinating votes and enforcing discipline.

Standing committees

Permanent committees handling specific policy areas.

Special committees

Temporary committees for specific investigations or issues.

Conference committees

Joint committees resolving differences between House and Senate bills.

Committee membership

Assignment of Congress members based on interests and expertise.

Electoral factors

Various influences affecting election outcomes.

Internal institutions

Structures within Congress managing legislative processes.

Legislative Branch

Branch of government responsible for making laws.

Committee System

Divides congressional work among multiple groups.

Caucuses

Legislators unite to promote specific agendas.

Congressional Staff

Personnel assisting legislators in various functions.

Research Services

Provide information and analysis for legislative decisions.

Proposals

Initial suggestions for new laws by Congress members.

Referrals

Assigning bills to specific committees based on topic.

Committee Action

Committees review, amend, and recommend bills.

Moving Bills to the Floor

Process of bringing bills for full legislative debate.

Senate Distinctiveness

Unique procedural rules governing Senate operations.

Floor Action

Debate and voting on bills by the full chamber.

Presidential Signature

Final approval needed for a bill to become law.

Tax Bills

Must originate in the House of Representatives.

Bill Proposals

Over 9000 introduced annually in Congress.

Split Referral

Allows dividing a bill into sections for committees.

Mark-up

Editing and amending process for bills in committees.

Open Rule

Allows any amendments to be proposed on bills.

Closed Rule

No amendments permitted during bill consideration.

Restricted Rule

Limits types of amendments that can be proposed.

Unanimous Consent Agreements

Senate rules requiring all members' agreement to proceed.

Filibuster

Extended speech to delay Senate voting on a bill.

Cloture

Limits debate to a set number of hours.

Veto

President rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

Bill not signed within 10 days, Congress adjourned.

Executive Branch

Carries out laws enacted by the legislature.

Judicial Branch

Evaluates laws and interprets the Constitution.

Parliamentary System

Government system where executive authority rests with prime minister.

Ceremonial Head of State

President's role in India, advised by prime minister.

Lok Sabha

Directly elected lower house of India's parliament.

Rajya Sabha

Upper house of India's parliament, limited power.

Independent Judiciary

Supreme Court interprets the Constitution in India.

Federal Structure

Union of states with defined governmental responsibilities.

First-Past-The-Post System

Electoral method for Lok Sabha elections in India.

Checks and Balances

System ensuring branches of government monitor each other.

Presidential Power

Authority derived from constitutional and informal sources.

Spoils System

Rewarding political supporters with government positions.

Divided Government

President from different party than Congress majority.

Unified Government

President from same party as Congress majority.

Bully Pulpit

President's platform to advocate for policies.

New Deal

FDR's program expanding executive power in governance.

Power to Persuade

Neustadt's view on presidential influence over command.

Informal Powers

Unwritten powers exercised through tradition or necessity.

George Washington's Inauguration

First president sworn in on April 30, 1789.

Presidential Style

Personal approach influencing effectiveness in governance.

Enumerated powers

Clearly written powers in the Constitution.

Administrative law

Law created by executive agencies refining legislation.

Veto threats

Public statement indicating intent to veto a bill.

Executive orders

Presidential instructions on executing laws.

Executive agreements

International agreements not requiring Senate approval.

Signing statements

President's interpretation attached to a bill.

White House staff

Organizes schedules and political strategies for the President.

Executive Office of the President

Permanent staff supporting the President's administration.

Impeachment

House charges official with serious misconduct.

Special prosecutors

Independent counsel investigating government officials.

Electoral pressures

Influence on officials to maintain popularity for re-election.

Parliamentary democracy

Executive elected by legislature, responsible to it.

Presidential system

Executive elected independently, not responsible to legislature.

Mixed presidential system

Executive shares responsibility with legislature.

Line-item veto

Partial veto allowing specific bill passages to be struck.