Government (Legislative Branch / Executive Branch)

Census

A complete enumeration of a population. Done every 10 years

Reapportionment

the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census

Re-district

to set up new district lines after reapportionment is complete

Gerrymandering

the drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent

President Pro Tempore

Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Appropriation Bill

a bill approving the spending of extra public money

Interest Group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Lobbyist

A person who is employed by and acts for an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.

Precedent

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.

Cabinet

A group of advisers to the president.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators (instead of being chosen by state legislatures)

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.

25th Amendment

(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

censure

harsh criticism or disapproval

committee

a group of people appointed for a specific function, typically consisting of members of a larger group.

House of Represenatives Qualifications

-25 years of age

-citizen for 7 years (US)
-live in state you represent
-live in district you represent

-citizen for 7 years (US)

-live in state you represent

-live in district you represent

bill

a proposed law

Senate Qualifications

30 years old, citizen for 9 years, must live in the state you represent

pocket veto

president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

State of the Union Address

A yearly report by the president to Congress describing the nation's condition and recommending programs and policies