Legislative Branch Review

review covering the Legislative Branch of the US government

bicameral legislature

a two-chamber legislature

majority leader

the Speaker's top assistant whose job is to help plan the majority party's legislative program and to steer important bills through the House

whip

an assistant to the party floor leader in the legislature

standing committee

a permanent committee in Congress that oversees bills that deal deal with certain kinds of issues; majority party controls

subcommittee

a group within a standing committee that specializes in a subcategory of its standing committee's responsibility

joint committee

a committee in the House and Senate that usually acts as a study group and reports its findings back to the House and the Senate

conference committee

a temporary joint committee set up when the House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill that now need adjusted

expressed powers

powers directly stated in the Constitution from Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution; also enumerated powers

necessary and proper clause

Gives Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its duties; also known as elastic clause & implied powers

appropriation bills

a proposed law to authorize spending money

subpoena

a legal order that a person appear or produce requested documents

contempt

willful obstruction of justice; not cooperating or getting in the way of an investigation

private bill

a bill dealing with individual people or places

legislative oversight

a continuing review by Congress of how effectively the executive branch carries out the laws Congress passes

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives

Majority Party

has the power to write the rules in Congress

Vice President

President of the Senate

Senate Eligibility Requirements

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state

House Eligibility Requirements

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of state

revenue bills

laws for raising money

impeachment

charges brought against a government official & a power that resides with the House of Representatives to initiate or start

Filibuster

a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation (delaying action on a bill) by making long speeches

select committee

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.

reapportionment

After the census, changes in population distribution cause the seats in Congress to change among the states.

public bill

a legislative bill that deals with matters of general concern

6-years

length of time a senator serves in the Senate

2-years

length of time a representative serves in the House