Constitution Vocabulary

Popular Sovereignty

the government is deriving power by the people

Federalism

the government is split between two levels - regional state vs the national government. Each has separate jobs, and there are some jobs that are shared (ex: taxes) BUT in arguments the federal government always wins

Separation of Powers

Three branches with distinct powers/jobs (executive, legislative, and judicial)

Checks and Balances

The idea that not one branch will have more power than any other. Able to keep each other accountable for not gaining too much power

Judicial Review

 The power of the Supreme Court to review a law to make sure it follows the Constitution

Limited Government

the government cannot do whatever it wants. keep the government under a certain control

Mid-Year Elections

an election that happens every 2 years of the President’s 4 year term resulting in which political party controls the House of Representatives. Helps people have a voice during the term

Gerrymandering

when political parties draw Congressional district lines so that they directly benefit one party over another

Committee System

organized as a way for legislation to start- when new laws are introduced, it is the committees that write the laws

Standing committees

the committee that handles most legislative business

Subcommittees

smaller ‘experts‘ introduce/ kill bills

Select/Special committees

investigate specific problems; they are temporary 

Joint Committees

made up of members of both the house and the senate

Conference committee

formed to iron out difference in laws