Unit 2 - Interactions Among Branches of Government

House of Representatives

Lower chamber of Congress with 435 members representing population.

Senate

Upper chamber of Congress with 100 members, 2 from each state.

Enumerated Powers

Expressed powers specifically listed in the Constitution for Congress.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but necessary for Congress to function.

Elastic Clause

Allows Congress to enact laws deemed necessary and proper.

Tax Expenditures

Loopholes allowed by tax law that typically benefit middle and upper class.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A procedure used to end debate and secure a vote in the Senate.

Progressive Taxation

Tax system where the tax burden is greater on the upper class.

Regressive Taxation

Tax system where the tax burden is greater on the lower class.

Proportional Taxation

Also known as a flat tax, where all individuals pay the same percentage.

Standing Committee

Permanent committees that focus on specific subjects in Congress.

Select Committee

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose.

Joint Committee

Committees composed of members from both the House and Senate.

Conference Committee

Committee that reconciles differences in bills passed by both houses.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either the House or Senate.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in either the House or Senate.

Rules Committee

House committee that determines the rules for debate on bills.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

President Pro Tempore

A senator who leads the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Advice & Consent

Senate's power to approve or reject Presidential appointments and treaties.

Discharge Petition

A means by which a bill can be brought to the floor of the House after being stalled.

Holds

A Senate procedure to delay a bill or nomination.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement in the Senate to set aside a specific rule to expedite proceedings.

Manditory Spending

Government spending required by law, including social programs.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that is debated and decided annually by Congress.

Deficit

A financial situation where expenditures exceed revenues in a fiscal year.

Naturalization Power

Congress's authority to determine how immigrants can become citizens.

Interstate Commerce Power

Congress's authority to regulate trade between states.

Tax Burden

The total amount of tax that individuals or businesses must pay.

Policy Document

A federal budget outlining allocations of burdens and benefits.

Legislative Overnight

Monitoring the bureaucracy and execution of laws by Congress.

Majority Whip

An official in Congress who helps party leaders manage their party's legislative program.

Minority Whip

An official in Congress who assists the Minority Leader in managing their party's legislative agenda.

Committee of the Whole

A device used in the House of Representatives to allow a bill to be considered by all members in a less formal setting.

Classes of Senators

The division of senators that allows staggered elections.

Power to Declare War

Congress's exclusive authority to declare war.