Legislative and Executive Branch Test

12th Amendment

Electors cast one vote for president and one vote for vice president; if no presidential candidate wins a majority, the House chooses from the top three candidates.

20th Amendment

President and vice president's terms start and end at noon on January 20th; Congress starts and ends at noon on January 3rd.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms or up to ten years in office.

25th Amendment

The vice president is second in line for the presidency and can be appointed by the president if the position is vacant.

Cabinet

Advises the President on subjects relating to their respective executive departments.

Census

The calculation of the number of people in the U.S. in a given area, used for redistricting and allocating federal funds.

Electoral College

Electors, chosen by political parties, officially vote for the president on behalf of their state.

Maine-Nebraska

States that split electoral votes based on statewide winners and Congressional districts.

Winner-take-all

Most states use this method where the candidate with the popular vote gets all electoral votes.

Formal powers

Designated electors formally elect the president and vice president and certify their votes to Congress.

Gerrymandering

The practice of redrawing electoral districts to favor one political party.

Chamber

Legislative body in Congress, either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Cloture

Procedure to end debate in the Senate and take a vote.

Committee

The most powerful part of the legislative process where most bills die.

Conference committee

A committee of members from both chambers that resolves differences in bill versions.

Filibuster

An action to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Rules committee

Determines terms of debate, including how long, what amendments are allowed, and when votes occur.

Simple majority

Voting requirement where more than half of votes cast are in favor for a proposition to pass.

Sponsor

Members who add their names to show support for a bill.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and de facto leader of the majority party in the House.

Majority Leader

The floor leader for the majority party in the House of Representatives.

Minority Leader

The floor leader for the minority party in the House of Representatives.

Whips

Assistants to floor leaders responsible for party discipline and mobilizing votes.

Vice President

Official president of the Senate who casts tie-breaking votes.

President Pro Tempore

Presides over the Senate in the vice president’s absence.

Terms of officials - Representatives

Two-year terms.

Terms of officials - Senators

Six-year terms.

President

Four-year terms, limited to two terms by the 22nd Amendment.

Supreme Court Justices

Serve during good behavior, typically for life.

Legislative

Individuals in government including senators, representatives, and their staff.

Executive

Individuals in government including the president, vice president, cabinet members, and federal agency members.

Judicial

Individuals in government including federal judges and Supreme Court justices.