Ththt Flashcards
Term
A length of time an elected official serves
Session
*sessions - 1 year time period during which Congress conducts its business
• recess
- to suspend business temporarily during a session
Adjourn
To suspend business until next session
Sine die
neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other
Prorogue
the president has the power to end a session when the 2 houses can’t agree to adjourn
Reapportionment
The seats are redistributed every 10 years (census
Gerrymandering
the drawing up of district lines to the advantage of the party in power
• continuous body
- all seats are never up for election at same time
oversight function
process through which congress checks to see if the executive branch is following its policies
Speech and debate clause
• it protects congressmen from law suits for libel or slander
Bill
Propose law
Bicameral
Legislatures of 2 houses
Convene
Begin a New session of Congress
Special session
President calls Meeting to deal with emergency situation