Ch. 5 Vocab USGov

constituents

the people who live within the particular geographic area a member of Congress represents

apportionment

the distribution of House seats among the states based on population

appropriation

a bill that sets aside funds for a specific purpose

impeachment

when Congress charges an official in the executive or judicial branch with wrongdoing and brings them to trial

oversight

when Congress reviews how the executive branch is operating and to make sure it is following the laws Congress has passed

necessary and proper clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution, which states Congress's implied powers also called the elastic clause

indirect tax

a tax levied on one person but passed on to another for payment to the government

direct tax

a tax an individual pays directly to the government

deficit

when the federal government is not generating enough income to meet its expenses

commerce clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which states that the federal government has the right to regulate interstate commerce

subpoenas

legal documents that require a person to testify in a certain matter

writ of habeas corpus

a court order that forces the police to present a person in court to face charges, except in cases of rebellion or invasion

bill of attainder

a law that punishes a person without a trial

ex post facto laws

laws that criminalize an action that was legal in the past