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Congress

The legislative body of the United States, consisting of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Members of the House of Representatives

Total 435 members, average age 58, with diverse representation including 29% women, 61 black, 46 Hispanic, and 18 Asian members.

Senate

Consists of 100 members with an average age of 64, including 26 women and 10 minorities.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics, by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation.

Franking privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents without paying postage.

Incumbency

The holding of an office or the period during which one is held, often leading to high reelection rates for congressional members.

Committee System

A system used in Congress where committees do the detailed work of legislation and oversight on specific issues.

Legislative process

The steps through which a bill becomes a law, which includes drafting, committee review, and votes.

Judicial review

The power of courts to evaluate laws and actions of the executive and legislative branches for constitutionality.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing individual liberties and rights.

14th Amendment

An amendment to the Constitution granting citizenship rights and equal protection under the law to all persons.

Civil Liberties

Basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

A Supreme Court case that upheld the conviction of a man for urging draft resistance, establishing limits on free speech.

Miller v. California (1973)

A Supreme Court case that set the standard for determining obscene material, focusing on community standards.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

A Supreme Court case that ruled that restrictions on independent expenditures in political campaigns are unconstitutional.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

A Supreme Court case that struck down laws prohibiting the burning of the American flag as a form of free speech.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate.

Pork barrel legislation

The appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.