Constitutional Terms

bill

a draft of a proposed law presented for approval to a legislative body

caucus

a meeting of local members or a political party especially to select delegates to a convention or register preferences for candidates running for office

caucus

a closed meeting of party members within a legislative body to decide on questions of leadership of policy

concurrent powers

powers that are shared by the federal and state government, but exercised separately and simultaneously

delegated powers

powers given or issued to the federal government by the state government

denied powers

powers denied to all governments, both state and federal, and kept by the people

elastic clause

grants Congress the right to make all laws necessary and proper in order to carry out the federal government’s duties

electoral college

a body of electors chosen to elect the president and vp of the united states in december, following the popular election in november

enumerated powers

powers directly stated or listed in the constitution as belonging to the federal government

filibuster

the use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action

gerrymandering

the dividing of a voting area (redistricting) as to give one political party a majority in as many districts as possible or for the purpose of weaking the voting strength of a particular group or area

impeachment

the process of bringing formal charges against a public official for misconduct. the house of reps have the power to _____ federal officials and the trial is conducted by the senate

implied powers

based on the necessary and proper or elastic clause: powers required by the federal government to carry out its duties as stated in the U.S. constitution. not listed but understood without being expressed

inherent powers

powers that belong to the federal government by virtue of being the national government

line item veto

law established in 1997 that provides the president with the power to reject parts of bills without rejecting entire bills

lobbying

practice by private citizens/organizations of attempting to influence the decisions or actions of legislators/other public officials by legal means

logrolling

mutual aid or assistance amongst politicians, as by reciprocal voting for each other’s bill in Congress

loose constructionist

interpretation or reading of the constitution that allows for broad use of the elastic clause or implied powers of the government. argues that the constitution needs to respond to changing times and unique situations in america. position held by federalists

party whip

a member of the legislative body, like congress, charged by his/her political party with enforcing party discipline and policy as well as ensuring attendance

pocket veto

an automatic veto that occurs if the president does not sign a bill passed by congress during the last 10 days of its session

“pork-barrel” legislation

special appropriations bill (proposals that designate public funds for special purposes) voted on by congressmen to bring federal money to favored programs in their districts

precedent

rule or decision that serves as guide for future actions and decisions, particularly in cases of law

president pro tempore

the senate leader from the majority party who serves as presiding officer of the Senate anytime the VP is absent

quorum

the minimum number of officials or delegates who must be present to officially transact business

reserved powers

powers that belong to the individual states or the people

strict constructionist

interpretation stating that the constitution limits government powers to those explicitly stated/written out in black and white. argues that the constitution should solely determine judicial and other government actions. position of anti federalists

supremacy clause

states that the laws passed over by the congress and the treaties of the united states have superior authority over laws of state and local governments

veto

to reject

concurrent powers

the right to tax, the right to establish and maintain courts are _______

delegated powers

the right to collect taxes and regulate commerce

denied powers

the right to deny due process of law or grant titles of nobility

filibuster

stalling on the floor of congress to kill an action

inherent powers

providing for national defense by the establishment and maintenance of the military