Our Government (Government and Citizenship)

Constitution: Article 2

The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Executive Branch

Speaker of The House

The leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives, selected by the majority party members

Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise

An agreement between all states to use two different forms of representation for the two houses of Congress (Texas has the same amount of senators as New Hampshire.)

Constitution: Article 3

The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Judicial Branch

Separation of Powers

Division of power into three branches of government to prevent corruption or concentration of power; executive, judicial, legislative

Senate

One house of Congress with equal representation for all states

Pork Barrel Spending

The act of increasing spending for a member's district as a means of gaining local support Example. A U.S. Representative adds an amendment on a transportation bill to rebuild an old bridge in his district.

Congressional Conference Committee

A group of both House and Senate members who work together to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill and produce a unified version that can be passed by both chambers and sent to the President for approval.

Constitution: Article 7

The Ratification Process

Declaration of Independence

Document adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Signed by representatives from all 13 colonies. The document outlined the complaints the colonists had about Great Britain and officially declared the US free from British rule.

Constitution: Article 1

The Powers, Eligibility Requirements and Limitations of the Legislative Branch

Preamble

an introductory statement in a document that explains the document's purpose and underlying philosophy Example. The Preamble states that the Constitution exists “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, [and] promote the general Welfare.”

President Pro Tempore

The most senior member of the majority party who leads the Senate when the Vice President is absent

Constitution: Article 5

The Amendment Process

Proportional Representation

a model in which parties gain seats based on the proportion of the vote received

Bicameral

The split of the legislative branch into two houses, each with a different set-up and focus

Judicial Review

The responsibility of the Supreme Court and the rest of the federal judiciary to determine if a law is constitutional

Checks and Balances

Each branch has the power to limit the power of the other two branches

Filibuster

a process by which debate can continue indefinitely on an issue and prevent a vote unless the debate is closed by 60 members of the Senate. Used as a tactic to delay legislation. This process is sometimes made weaker or stronger by the majority party.

Supreme Court

highest court in the land, established by the Constitution; Justices to the Supreme Court are appointed by the President, approved by the Senate, and serve for life or until retirement

U.S. Constitution

Document which lays the foundation for the US government and provides a blueprint of democracy for the rest of the world

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives

Veto

Ability of the president to reject laws passed by Congress. Congress can overturn a veto with a 2/3 vote.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting of at least two-thirds of the states to approve an amendment to the Constitution which still requires three-fourths of the states to ratify the amendment

Constitution: Article 6

Maintenance of Previous Debts, Supremacy of the Constitution, and Oaths of Office

Articles of Impeachment

the official filing of Articles of Impeachment means that the sitting president has been impeached - charged with an impeachable offense by members of the US House of Representatives

Commerce Clause

A key clause of the Constitution. Regulates interstate commerce. This power has been used to justify the expansion of the legislature over nationwide issues, since they could impact interstate commerce.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly written in the Constitution that are allowed under the elastic clause Example.The power to establish a Federal bank to manage taxes collected

House of Representatives

One house of Congress with proportional representation

Constitution: Article 4

The roles, rights, and privileges of the States and Their Citizens

Electoral College

The system for electing the President by using electors from each state based on the number of Congressional representatives the state has

Marbury v. Madison

1803: Established Judicial Review, which allows the Supreme Court to rule a law unconstitutional and void the law