CIVICS test Flashcards
Powers of Congress
enact legislation and declare war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments, and substantial investigative powers.
the power of purse
the ability to tax and spend public money for the national government.
Ratifying treaties
The Constitution gives the President the power to commit the United States to treaties - but only with the advice and consent of two-thirds of the US Senate, and only if the agreement does not contravene the Constitution.
Impeachment
pres is acused of breaking the law
Advice and consent
the Senate takes up a resolution of ratification, by which the Senate formally gives its advice and consent, empowering the president to proceed with ratification.
Elastic clause
a statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers
Veto
A power given to the President of the United States to reject a bill passed by Congress.
Override
A power given to Congress to pass a bill despite the President’s veto.
Speaker
The leader of the House of Representatives in the United States Congress. The Speaker is elected by the majority party in the House and is responsible for presiding over debates and voting on legislation.
Majority Leader
The leader of the majority party in the United States Congress. The Majority Leader is responsible for setting the agenda in the legislature and managing the legislative process.
Minority Leader
The leader of the minority party in the United States Congress. The Minority Leader is responsible for representing the interests of the minority party in the legislature.
Senate Pro Tempe
The Senate Pro Tempe is the longest-serving member of the majority party in the Senate. This individual is responsible for leading the Senate and setting the agenda for debate.
Whip
A whip is a leader in the Senate or House of Representatives whose job is to ensure that members of the party are present and voting in accordance with the party’s wishes.
Filibuster
A filibuster is an attempt to delay or prevent a vote on a bill or other matter by talking it to death.
Cloture
Cloture is a procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring debate to a close. It requires a three-fifths majority vote of senators present and voting.
Committee
A committee is a group of legislators who are appointed to study and propose legislation related to a specific issue or area.
Constituent
A constituent is a person who lives in the area represented by an elected official. Constituents have the right to contact their elected officials to voice their opinions and concerns.
Executive privilege
The power of the President to withhold information from Congress, the courts, or the public.
Executive orders
A rule or order issued by the President of the United States to direct the executive branch of the government to carry out specific duties.
Executive agreements/actions
An executive agreement is an agreement between the heads of government of two or more nations that has not been ratified by the legislature as treaties are ratified.
Presidential pardons
A power granted to the President of the United States to pardon an individual for a federal crime or to reduce the sentence of a convicted individual. Pardons are typically granted for humanitarian or humanitarian-related reasons.
Chief executive
The head of the executive branch of a government, typically vested with the power to implement and enforce laws and policies.
Chief diplomat
The official representative of a country in its foreign affairs, responsible for the conduct of diplomacy with other nations.
Commander-in-chief
The highest ranking military officer in a nation, responsible for the command of its armed forces.
Chief legislator
The leader of a legislature, responsible for creating, passing, and enforcing laws.
Chief of party
The leader of a political party, responsible for setting the party’s platform and direction.
Head of state
The highest-ranking figure in a nation, typically responsible for representing the nation both domestically and internationally.
War Powers Act
A federal law in the United States that restricts the president’s power to commit the country to military action without congressional authorization.
AUMF
AUMF is a congressional resolution that allows the President of the United States to deploy armed forces for military operations abroad.
Watergate
Watergate was a major political scandal in the United States in 1972 and 1973, involving the administration of President Richard Nixon and the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.
US v Nixon
US v Nixon was a Supreme Court case in 1974 involving the President Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. The Supreme Court ruled that Nixon must turn over tapes of conversations in the Oval Office to the special prosecutor.
Cabinet
The Cabinet is a formal body of advisers to the President of the United States. The Cabinet consists of the Vice President and the heads of the executive departments.
Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the United States. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the laws of the United States, and advising the President on legal matters.
Congressional oversight
Congressional oversight is the process by which Congress exercises its authority to monitor and investigate the executive branch of the government. Congressional oversight is intended to ensure that the executive branch is properly executing its duties and complying
