Congressional Structure and Powers: Key Terms and Processes

Bicameral legislature

A two-house legislature: House of Representatives and Senate.

4 Roles of Congressional members

Delegate, Trustee, Partisan, Politico.

Checks and balances

Each branch can limit the power of the others.

Constituents

The people a member of Congress represents.

Expressed powers of Congress

Powers listed in the Constitution (ex: tax, borrow money, declare war).

Implied powers

Powers not written but suggested by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Lets Congress make laws needed to carry out its powers (ex: creating a national bank).

Commerce Clause

Congress can regulate trade between states and with other countries.

Reapportionment

Redistributing seats in the House after a census.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one party.

Seniority rule

The longest-serving majority party member gets leadership of committees.

Rider

A small provision added to a bill, often unrelated.

Resolution

Formal statement by Congress that doesn't have force of law.

Joint resolution

A resolution passed by both houses, often with force of law.

Standing committees

Permanent committees in Congress that handle bills.

Select committees

Temporary committees for special issues.

Conference committee

Works out differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

17th Amendment

Senators are directly elected by the people.

Veto

President rejects a bill.

Pocket veto

President ignores a bill at the end of a session, killing it.

Whip

Party member who helps count votes and keep members in line.

Minority leader

Leader of the minority party in Congress.

Majority leader

Leader of the majority party in Congress.

Filibuster

Talking a bill to death in the Senate to delay a vote.