Unit 4 Civics Vocabulary

Veto

Right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

Pocket Veto

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.

Pigeonhole

To set a congressional bill aside in committee without considering it

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor in order to delay proceedings and prevent a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for ending debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate. A cloture vote requires 3/5 of the Senate.

Bicameral

Two-houses in a legislature. (In the US Congress, the two houses are the House of Representatives and the Senate.)

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Commerce

The activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale.

Diplomat

An official representing a country abroad.

Impeach

To charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct.

Reprieve

To cancel or postpone the punishment of (someone, especially someone condemned to death).

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which important decisions are made by officials rather than by elected representatives.