Unit 2 Government Review: Congress, the Constitution, and Federalism

Vocabulary study cards covering the legislative branch, congressional leadership, constitutional compromises, powers, and federalism based on the Unit 2 Review notes.

Communicating with a Representative

The most effective method to communicate with your representative, which is by calling the district office.

Congressional Demographics

Middle-aged white males occupy the majority of seats in Congress, whereas demographic groups such as Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims tend to mirror their percentage in the American population.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of congressional seats in the House of Representatives to account for changes in the population of the states, occurring every 10 years after the census.

Redistricting

The redrawing of House of Representatives district boundaries—typically conducted by the state legislature—so that each district contains about equal population.

Gerrymandering

The practice where district boundaries are drawn by the political party in power to gain an advantage.

Supreme Court Redistricting Standard

The judicial standard requiring seats to be reapportioned by population and district populations to be as close to equal in size as possible.

Expressed (Enumerated) Powers

Specific constitutional powers granted to Congress under Article 1, Section 8, including coining money, declaring war, creating courts, collecting taxes, and regulating foreign commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A provision in Article I of the U.S. Constitution included to give Congress more flexibility when carrying out its enumerated laws.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution that allow Congress to carry out its responsibilities, such as drafting for the military, taxing gasoline, regulating airline issues, passing gun control laws, and creating the IRS.

Exclusive Powers of the House of Representatives

Constitutional authorities belonging only to the House: initiating articles of impeachment; introducing revenue, tax, and spending bills; and electing the president.

Exclusive Powers of the Senate

Constitutional authorities belonging only to the Senate: conducting impeachment trials, approving treaties, and confirming ambassadors, judges, and high-ranking officials.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used in the Senate with the purpose of stalling Senate action on a measure.

Cloture

A procedure consisting of a vote to stop a filibuster in the Senate.

Conference Committee

A temporary joint committee of both the House and the Senate used when their versions of a bill are not identical or agreed on.

Presidential Choices on a Bill

The four constitutional options a president can exercise upon receiving legislation: sign the bill, veto the bill, allow the bill to become a law without signing off on it, or pocket veto.

Representative Darrell Issa

The U.S. Representative serving California's 48th Congressional District.

California U.S. Senators

Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla.

Speaker of the House

Mike Johnson, Republican.

House Majority Leader

Steve Scalise, Republican.

House Minority Leader

Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat.

Senate Majority Leader

John Thune, Republican.

Senate Minority Leader

Charles E. Schumer, Democrat.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Structural limitations that limited the national government's power excessively, prevented the collection of taxes, left it unable to raise and support an army, and required all states to agree to make changes.

Great Compromise

An agreement establishing a bicameral Congress divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives, which favors large states, and the Senate, which favors small states, ensuring equal representation.

Bill of Rights

The first amendments added to the Constitution to protect basic freedoms and rights from governmental abuse and to ensure the new government would be ratified and work for the country.

Federalist 10

A foundational essay presenting the key idea that a large and diverse republic is the best defense against the dangers of political factions and leaders.

National (Expressed) Powers

Powers assigned to the federal government, such as coining money, declaring war, and making treaties with foreign countries.

State (Reserved) Powers

Powers retained exclusively by individual states, such as licensing professionals, regulating marriage and divorce, and regulating gambling.

Concurrent (Shared) Powers

Powers held and exercised simultaneously by both national and state governments, including collecting taxes, defining crime and setting punishments, and claiming private property for public use.