Legislative Branch Test - 5.8.25

Constituents

people who are served by Congress - ex. all citizens

Bicameralism

Two houses - Senate and HoR

Appropriation

the action of taking something for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission

Party Whip

- ensures discipline in a legislature (of official political party)

- the party's "enforcers"

- they help push a bill through Congress

Speaker of the House

- chooses the day's agenda (what bills get talked about)

- Most powerful member in HoR

- Presides over session

- Appoints committee members

- refers bills to Committee

President Pro Tempore

- high ranking senator of majority party

- presides over US Senate when VP is absent

Apportionment

How the 435 representatives are divided in districts across states and the whole country

Gerrymandering

purposeful manipulation of the boundaries of a political district so as to favor one party

Census

A count of the population every 10 years, including population density, population distribution, and poverty count (helps better allocate resources)

Congressional Districts

The different counties/districts throughout each state

Lobbyists

a person who takes part in an organized attempt to influence legislators

Interest Groups

a group of people who work together for similar interest or goals (Ex. ACLU, NRA-National Rifle Association)

Franking Privilege

Representatives can send postage for free

Standing Committee

A permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities

Select Committee

committees formed for specific purposes or situations for a limited duration of time (also known as a subcommittee)

Enumerated Powers (expressed powers)

Powers that are specifically laid out in the Constitution

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically laid out in the US Constitution

The Elastic Clause

authorizes Congress to make all laws necessary and proper for exercising its enumerated powers and any other power granted by the Constitution to the national government

Ex Post Facto Laws

People are convicted of crimes that were not illegal when committed

Bills of Attainder

when the legislature declares someone guilty without a trial

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody.

Filibuster

an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures

Quorum

the minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid

Cloture

(in a legislative assembly) a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote

Veto

a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body

Pocket Veto

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session

What are the two kinds of gerrymandering?

1) Cracking - when district lines are drawn to divide people

2) Packing - district lines are drawn to "pack in" an area leaning towards one party majority

Congress can

- Create laws

- manage finances

- declaration of war