Chapter 5 - The Legislative Branch

Question 1

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution, which gives the national legislature the power to “make all laws that are necessary and proper” to exercise the powers granted by the Constitution; also known as the “elastic clause.”

Answer 1

Necessary and Proper Clause

Question 2

To impose or collect.

Answer 2

Levy

Question 3

A tax levied on one person but passed on to another for payment to the government; tariffs are examples of this.

Answer 3

Indirect Tax

Question 4

A tax an individual pays directly to the government.

Answer 4

Direct tax

Question 5

A condition in which government revenues are lower than expenses.

Answer 5

Deficit

Question 6

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution that outlines the commerce powers granted to Congress (EX: Right to regulate interstate commerce).

Answer 6

Commerce Clause

Question 7

A legal dispute.

Answer 7

Litigation

Question 8

One who argued Congress should have the power / freedom to act vigorously, and expanded the meaning of the Constitution to take into account the new times.

Answer 8

Loose Constructionist

Question 9

One who argues that Congress should exercise only those powers clearly stated in the Constitution.

Answer 9

Strict Constructionist

Question 10

Legal documents that require a person to testify in a certain matter.

Answer 10

Subpoenas

Question 11

A court order that forces the police to present a person in court to face charges; a Latin phrase meaning “you have the body.”

Answer 11

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Question 12

A law that punishes a person without trial.

Answer 12

Bill of Attainder

Question 13

Laws that criminalizes an action that took place in the past and that was legal at the time; a Latin phrases meaning “from after the fact.”

Answer 13

Ex post facto laws

Question 14

A position held by the Vice President of the United States, who presides over debate in the Senate chamber.

Answer 14

President of the Senate

Question 15

The official who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Answer 15

President Pro Tempore

Question 16

The person elected by the majority party who serves as the spokesperson and main strategist for the majority party in the Senate.

Answer 16

Senate Majority Leader

Question 17

The tradition in the Senate in which the chair of a committee is given to the most senior majority Senator on a committee.

Answer 17

Seniority Rule

Question 18

The tactic used when opponents of a measure seek to prevent it coming up for a vote in the Senate by refusing to stop talking in hopes of stalling action long enough that the rest of the Senate will be forced to move on to other business.

Answer 18

Filibuster

Question 19

The vote to end debate of a bill in the Senate.

Answer 19

Cloture

Question 20

The people who live in a particular geographic area represented by Congress.

Answer 20

Constituents

Question 21

The distribution of House seats among the states based on their population.

Answer 21

Apportionment

Question 22

A special type of act in which a bill sets aside funds for a specific purpose.

Answer 22

Appropriation

Question 23

The congressional power to charge officials in the executive and judicial branches with wrongdoing, and then bring them to trial and can be removed from office before the completion of their term.

Answer 23

Impeachment

Question 24

A broad congressional power for Congress to review how the executive branch is operating and to make sure that it is following the laws Congress has passed.

Answer 24

Congressional Oversight

Question 25

A total court or survey of a group of people, typically recording various details and information about the individuals within a population.

Answer 25

Census

Question 26

The act of drawing distinct boundaries for political advantage.

Answer 26

Gerrymandering

Question 27

A privilege given to members of Congress that allows them to send free mail to constituents, typically by their signature rather than through postage.

Answer 27

Franking privilege

Question 28

A privilege granted ensuring that members of Congress cannot be prosecuted for anything they say or any statements they make on the floor while Congress is in session.

Answer 28

Immunity

Question 29

The most powerful member and presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Answer 29

The Speaker of the House

Question 30

A proposed law.

Answer 30

Bill

Question 31

A permanent committee, which addresses major areas in which most proposed laws fall.

Answer 31

Standing Committee

Question 32

A smaller, sub-committee made up of a few people in a committee that take an even narrower focus than a committee.

Answer 32

Subcommittee

Question 33

A committee that carries out specific tasks not already covered by existing committees, such as investigations, often for a limited duration of time (members appointed by the Speaker)

Answer 33

Select Committee

Question 34

A committee formed by the House and Senate that addresses broad issues that affect both chambers.

Answer 34

Joint Committee