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Legislative Branch
Chapter 6
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Bicameral | A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses |
Census | A population count taken by the Census Bureau |
Constituent | A detailed, written plan for government |
Gerrymander | An oddly shaped election district to increase the voting strength of a particular group |
Majority party | In both the house of representatives and the senate, the political party to which more than half the members belong |
Minority party | In both the house of representatives and the senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong |
Standing Committee | Permanent committee that continues work from session to session in its congress |
Seniority | Years of service, which is used as a consideration for assigning committee members |
Expressed powers | Powers that congress has that are specifically listed int he constitution |
Implied powers | Powers that congress has that are not stated explicitly in the constitution |
Elastic clause | Clause in article I, section 8 of the constitution that gives congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its expressed powers |
Impeach | To accuse government officials of misconduct in office |
Writ of habeas corpus | A court order that requires police to bring prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person |
Bill of attainder | A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trail or a fair hearing in court |
Ex post facto law | A law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed |
Franking privilege | the right of senators and representatives to send job related mail without paying postage |
Lobbyist | representatives of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making |
casework | the work that a lawmaker does to help constituents with a problem |
pork-barrel project | Government project grant that primarily benefits the home district or state |
Joint resolution | A resolution that is passed by both houses of congress |
Special interest group | An organization of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions |
Filibuster | A tactic for defeating a bill in the senate by talking until bill's sponsor withdraws it |
Cloture | A procedure used in the senate to limit debate on a bill |
Voice vote | A voting method in which those in favor say "yea" and those against say "No" |
Standing vote | In congress, when members stand to be counted for a vote on a bill |
Roll call vote | A voting method in the senate in which members voice their votes in turn |
Veto | Refusal to sign a bill or resolution |
Pocket Veto | President's power to kill a bill, if congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days |