Congress Flashcards
to vest the power
attribuer le pouvoir
oath
serment
a solemn promise to say the truth; to be under oath
foward
à l’avance
bill
proposed legislation. Bills are introduced, debated and amended by the legislative body before being passed – or not
bill of attainder
a legislative act which punishes an individual or a group of people without
judgment. This is forbidden by the Constitution.
a charge
an accusation. v to charge.
to convict
to find guilty of a crime. n a conviction.
district
a geographical subdivision for administrative, judicial or electoral purposes, e.g., a congressional district.
enumerated powers
the powers that belong to Congress.
ex post facto law: a law that criminalizes an act that was considered legal when committed. The Constitution does not allow Congress to pass ex post facto laws
equal representation
each state elects two individuals to represent them in the Senate
section of Congress (applied through the Senate and part of the Great Compromise)
filibuster
refusing to stop speaking when you have the floor, in order to obstruct the
passage of a bill.
habeas corpus
: legal remedy against unlawful imprisonment or illegal police custody. First
voted by the British Parliament in 1679, it requires a prisoner to be brought before a court within a timing that allows due process for the charge(s) brought against them
impeachment
a procedure to remove high officials from executive and judicial functions. If the charges are established by a formal hearing followed by a majority vote of over 50%, the House impeaches that person.
The House of Representatives has the “sole power of impeachment”.
implied mpowers
the non-enumerated powers Congress may be used thanks to the necessary and proper clause
legislature
a law-making body
override, overrode, overridden
to take precedence over, to be more important.
proportionnal representation
each state elects individuals based on that state’s population to represent them in the House of Representatives section of Congress (applied through the House of Representatives and part of the Great Compromise).
recess
the period between legislative sessions. Congress recesses during August and for
federal holidays
reserved powers
the powers which are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
They are de facto part of the states’ prerogatives.
revenue bill
a government budget proposal that has to be voted by the legislature.
term
a fixed period of time. (≠ mandate: the tasks allocated to an elected official by the people.)
tie
a fifty-fifty vote
