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The Constitution
Unit 3 Batty
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Preamble | Introduction |
| Separation of Powers | Power is divided between different branches of government |
| Checks and Balances | The different branches of government control what the other branches can do |
| Veto | The power to reject a law |
| Judicial Review | The power to declare a law unconstitutional |
| Unconstitutional | A governmental action found to violate a provision of the Constitution |
| Federalism | Division of power between national and state governments |
| Formal Amendment | Change in the written language of the constitution |
| National Convention | Meeting held to change the Constitution |
| Bill of Rights | 1st ten amendments to the constitution |
| Informal Amendment | Change in how the constitution is put into practice |
| Executive Agreement | Pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state |
| Treaty | Formal agreement with other countries |
| Electoral College | Group that formally elects the President |
| Cabinet | Department heads that formally advise the president |
| Senatorial Courtesy | Practice of approving district court judges that are acceptable to the senators of a state |
| Term | A term of congress that lasts 2 years |
| Reapportion | Every 10 years congressional districts are redrawn to reflect changes in population |
| Gerrymandering | Drawing congressional districts to the advantage of the party in power |
| Speaker of the House | Presiding officer in the House of Representatives |
| President of the Senate | Presiding officer in the Senate, this position is filled by the Vice President |
| President pro tempore | Presides in the Senate, this position is filled by the Vice president |
| Party Caucus | A meeting of the members of each party in each house. Party leadership is chosen at these meetings. |
| Majority and Minority Floor Leaders | Serve as party leaders in the House and Sendate |
| Majority and Minority Whips | Assistant Floor Leaders |
| Committee Chairmen | Members who head the standing committees in each chamber |
| Seniority Rule | Most important posts will be held by members with the longest service in Congress |
| Standing Committee | Permanent panels which consider bills in each house of congress |
| Select Committee | Special committees that are set up for a specific purpose |
| Joint Committee | Committee composed of members from both houses |
| Conference Committee | A temporary, joint committee created to solve differences on a single bill |
| Discharge Position | Forcing a bill out of committee |
| Subcommittees | Divisions of standing committees formed to address specific issues |
| Quorum | Majority of the membership must be present to do business. |
| Filibuster | Talking a bill to death |
| Cloture | Limits debate on a bill in the Senate |
| Veto | When the President rejects a bill |
| Pocket Veto | If congress is adjourned and the president does not sign the bill within 10 days of when it is submitted |
| Presidential Succession | Plan for filling a presidential vacancy |
| Executive Order | When the President issues a rule or regulation that has the effect of a law |
| Ordinance Power | Power to issue Executive orders |
| Treaty | Formal agreement between 2 or more countries |
| Executive Agreement | Pact between two heads of state or their subordinates |
| Reprieve | Postponement of the execution of a sentence |
| Pardon | Legal forgiveness of a crime |
| Commutation | Reduction of a sentence |
| Amnesty | A blanket pardon offered to a group of violators |
| Jurisdiction | Ability of a court to hear a case |
| Exclusive Jurisdiction | When only one court can hear a case |
| Concurrent Jurisdiction | When more than one court can hear a case |
| Plaintiff | Person who files suit in a case |
| Defendant | Person who is charged with a crime |
| Original Jurisdiction | Court in which a case is first heard |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | Court that hears a case on appeal from a lower court |
| Federal District Courts | Federal courts of original jurisdiction |
| Criminal Cases | Defendant tried for committing a crime |
| Civil Case | Involves a dispute among individuals |
| The Courts of Appeals | Courts that hear most cases appealed from district courts |
| Supreme Court | Highest court of the United States |
| Writ of certiorari | Order by the court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for its review |
| Certificate | When a lower court asks the Supreme Court to certify the answer to a rule of law |
| Majority of Opinion | Announces the courts decision in a case |
| Precedents | Examples that other courts follow in similar cases |
| Concurring Opinion | Adds or emphasizes a point not made by the majority opinion, but agrees with the majority opinion |
| Dissenting Opinion | Written by justices who do not agree with the Court's majority opinion |
Created by:
Ensmingern
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