Flashcards
Congress Vocabulary Flashcards
Cards in this deck (26)
- 1BicameralHaving two branches or chambers
- 2House of RepresentativesLower legislative house of the U.S. Congress
- 3ConstituentsMember of constituency
- 4GerrymanderManipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to be in favor of a certain party or class
- 5SenateAn assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
- 6Speaker of HousePresiding officer of the United States House of Representatives
- 7President Pro TemporeHigh ranking Senator of the majority party who presides over the United States Senate in the absence of the Vice President
- 8Party WhipsA party's enforcer; their role is to that the elected representatives of their party are in attendance when important votes are taken.
- 9Standing CommitteeA permanent committee that meets regularly
- 10Select CommitteeSmall legislative committee appointed for a special purpose
- 11Joint CommitteeCommittee made up of members of both chambers of a bicameral legislature
- 12Seniority SystemBased on the length of time serving in that committee
- 13Expressed PowersPowers of Congress specifically listed in the Constitution
- 14Implied PowersPowers authorized by a document
- 15Elastic ClauseGrants congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers
- 16ImpeachCharge with treason or another crime against the state.
- 17Bills of AttainderAn act of legislature finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trail.
- 18Ex Post Facto LawsLaw adopted after an act is committed making it illegal although it was legal when done.
- 19U.S. Representative Qualifications1) 25 years of age
2) Citizen for 7 years
3) Resident of the state they reside in
- 20Franking PrivilegeAllows members of Congress to transmit mail matter under their signature without postage.
- 21Pork Barrel ProjectsMetaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely to bring money to a representative's district.
- 22U.S. Senator Qualifications1) 30 years old
2) Citizen for 9 years
3) Resident of the represented state - 23FilibusterProlonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
- 24ClotureA procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote
- 25VetoA constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law making body
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