NCCC 21 Ch 9 - Constitutional Law

Supremacy Clause

A clause in the U.S. Constitution making the U.S. Constitution and federal laws the supreme law of the land.

Executive branch

The branch of government headed by the President of the United States. It includes the cabinet, which are the executive departments of government appointed by the president.

House of Representatives

Part of the federal Congress that has 435 members who have two year terms.

Veto

Latin for “I forbid.” The right of the President of the United States to strike down a piece of legislation.

Amendments

Parts of the U.S. Constitution which modify or invalidate earlier parts of the Constitution.

Emotional distress

Emotional suffering caused by the infliction of extreme and outrageous conduct by another.

Judicial review

The Supreme Court has the power to declare acts of Congress or acts of the executive branches unconstitutional.

Legislative branch

Federal Congress which makes federal laws.

Double jeopardy

The situation in which a defendant is tried twice for the same offense. Prohibited by the 5th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Conspiracy

The getting together of two or more people to accomplish some criminal or unlawful act.

Cabinet

The executive department heads of government.

Pocket veto

The president refusing to sign a piece of legislation.

Articles of Confederation

The document which loosely governed the colonies and the states from 1777 until the Constitution was ratified in 1789.

Elastic power

The power of Congress to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out its express powers.

Judicial branch

The U.S. Supreme Court, which has primarily appellate jurisdiction, but can be given original jurisdiction in certain legal matters. It is the highest court in the federal judicial system which makes federal law preeminent when federal and state law conflict.

Express powers

The specific stated powers of Congress in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Federalism

Established by the Constitution, this allows states to retain their individual governing powers, even though the federal government is given broad powers.

Senate

Part of the federal Congress which has 100 members who have six-year terms.

Separation of powers

The independent authority given by the U.S. Constitution to each of the three branches of government.

Checks and balances

A system established in the U.S. Constitution which allows each branch of government to counteract the powers of the other branches.

Freedom of speech

A clause in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment that guarantees to all persons the right to speak, both orally and in writing, free from governmental interference or prohibition.

Bicameral

Two chambers or houses of representation in Congress.