U.S Gov Unit 3 test

Commerce Clause

Gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers; gives Congress implied powers.

Supremacy Clause

States that the Constitution and federal laws are superior to conflicting state and local laws.

Establishment Clause

Prevents the government from establishing or officially supporting a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects a person's right to practice their religion.

Due Process Clause

Requires the government to follow fair procedures before taking away a person's life liberty or property.

Equal Protection Clause

Requires states to provide equal protection of the laws to all people within their jurisdiction.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government made up of Congress that is responsible for making laws.

Congress

The federal legislature made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Article I Section 8

The section of the Constitution that lists Congress's enumerated powers.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed and granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from Congress's enumerated powers.

Bicameral

A legislature with two chambers.

House of Representatives

One of the two chambers of Congress where representation is based on state population.

Senate

One of the two chambers of Congress where each state has two senators.

House Term

Representatives serve 2-year terms.

Senate Term

Senators serve 6-year terms.

House Minimum Age

A representative must be at least 25 years old.

Senate Minimum Age

A senator must be at least 30 years old.

House Citizenship Requirement

A representative must be a U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.

Senate Citizenship Requirement

A senator must be a U.S. citizen for at least 9 years.

House Representation

Representation is based on state population.

Senate Representation

Each state has equal representation with two senators.

House Revenue Bills

Revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives.

House Impeachment Power

The House initiates impeachment by approving articles of impeachment.

Electoral College Tie

If no presidential candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes the House chooses the president.

Senate Advice and Consent

The Senate approves or rejects treaties and many presidential appointments.

Senate Impeachment Trial

The Senate conducts trials of impeached federal officials.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States serves as President of the Senate.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of U.S. senators by the people.

Original Selection of Senators

Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures.

Congressional Committee

A smaller group of members of Congress that focuses on specific issues or tasks.

Purpose of Congressional Committees

Committees divide Congress's workload and allow members to develop expertise in specific policy areas.

Study Legislation

Committees examine bills related to their area of responsibility.

Committee Hearings

Committees gather information from experts government officials advocates and members of the public.

Committee Investigation

Committees can investigate government programs agencies or possible wrongdoing.

Amend Legislation

Committees can change or revise bills.

Advance Legislation

Committees can decide whether to send bills to the full House or Senate for consideration.

Markup

The process in which a committee reviews changes and revises a bill.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee that focuses on a particular policy area.

Select Committee

A committee created for a specific purpose often an investigation or special issue.

Joint Committee

A committee made up of members from both the House and Senate.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee created to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Congressional Oversight

Congress's power to monitor and evaluate the executive branch and federal agencies.

Gatekeeping

The ability of committees to prevent bills from advancing.

How can a committee stop a bill?

A committee can stop a bill by taking no action rejecting it substantially changing it or refusing to report it to the full chamber.

Does introducing a bill guarantee a vote?

No. Most bills do not make it through the entire legislative process.

Standing Committee Memory Trick

Standing = Stays; it is permanent.

Select Committee Memory Trick

Select = Specific; it is created for a specific purpose.

Joint Committee Memory Trick

Joint = Joined House and Senate.

Conference Committee Memory Trick

Conference = Compromise; it resolves differences between House and Senate bills.

House Leadership

The Speaker of the House is the most powerful leader in the House.

House Structure

The House is centralized and hierarchical with limited debate and a powerful Rules Committee.

Senate Structure

The Senate is less centralized with looser debate and allows the filibuster which can be limited by cloture.

House Focus

The House focuses heavily on revenue and spending.

Senate Focus

The Senate has a stronger focus on foreign policy.

Cloture

A Senate procedure used to end debate and limit a filibuster.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic involving extended debate to delay or prevent a vote.

Constituency

The people represented by an elected official.

House Constituency

Representatives serve smaller districts and therefore have a closer relationship with their constituents.

Senate Constituency

Senators represent an entire state and therefore have a larger and more diverse constituency.