Studied by 22 people
enumerated powers
The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
implied powers
Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.
Filibuster
A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate
Impeach
To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office
Bill
a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
interest group
An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy
Lobbyist
A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.
incumbent
An officeholder who is seeking reelection.
constituent
a person whom a member of Congress has been elected to represent
Requirements for Senators
(1) they must be at least 30 years old, (2) they must have been citizens of the United States for at least the past nine years, and (3) they must be inhabitants of the states they seek to represent at the time of their election.
Requirements for Representatives
(1) be at least twenty-five years old; (2) have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years; and (3) be (at the time of the election) an inhabitant of the state they represent.
Term length for Senate
6 years
Term length for Representatives
2 years
ex post facto
a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
bill of attainder
a law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court
Habeas Corpus
a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person's release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.
standing committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
joint committee
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.
select committee
A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose.
conference committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
Veto
a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body. applies only to president. can be overridden with a 2/3 vote
Pocket Veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
pigeonhole
To set a bill aside by a committee without considering it
Cloture
A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.
Quorum
The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress
Senate
the upper house of the U.S. Congress, made up of 100 representatives
House of Representatives
the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population. Total: 435
Redistricting
The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
Gerrymandering
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
Majority Party
the party that holds the majority of legislative seats in either the House or the Senate
Minority Party
In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong
Rider
A provision attached to a bill - to which it may or may not be related - in order to secure its passage or defeat.
Pork Barrel
Unnecessary spending attached to a bill. A term often used by Republicans, whose platform is, in most cases, against government spending.
Note
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