U.S. Gov. Flashcards
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What is a Bill?
A proposed law that hasn’t gone through the process of becoming a law; may or may not become a law.
What is Oversight?
A check and balance on the executive branch to ensure it is enforcing laws.
What is a Term in Congress?
The duration a group of people in the Senate or House of Representatives can serve before members must stand for election.
What is a Session in Congress?
A period of time each year that Congress meets in Washington, D.C.
What does Reapportion mean?
Redistributing seats after each census.
What is Partisan gerrymandering?
Drawing districts to favor one political party over another.
Who is an Incumbent?
The person in an election that previously held the office; was already president or senator.
What is a Constituency?
The people a congress member represents.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause?
Power given to Congress by the Supreme Court that created the elastic clause, allowing Congress to stretch their powers.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
The member in charge of the House of Representatives; a member of the majority party.
What is the role of the President pro tempore?
In charge of the Senate when the Vice President is not present; a member of the majority party.
What is Cloture?
The end of a filibuster, a tactic used by a senator to delay a vote on a bill.
What is a Veto?
The president’s denial of turning a bill into law; can be reversed through Congress.
What is a Pocket Veto?
When a bill never becomes law due to both the president and Congress ignoring the law.
What is the size and terms of the House and the Senate?
House = Size – 435 & Terms – 2 yr. (Unlimited)
Senate = Size – 100 & Terms – 6 yr (1/3 of senate elected every 2 yrs to maintain stability)
Define: Apportionment and Gerrymandering
- Apportionment – Distributing representatives among the States
- Gerrymandering – districts are drawn to favor particular voters
Qualifications for House and Senate
Senate
o 30 yrs. old
o Citizen for 9 yrs.
o Resident of the state you hope to represent
House
o 25 yrs. old
o Citizen for 7 yrs.
o Resident of state you hope to represent
What is deficit spending?
Government spending more than they take in in a fiscal year
What is the War Powers Resolution?
Strict v. liberal constructionists
Strict = Stick to exact wording of Constit.
Liberal Constructionist = Broad view of Consit., stretch the meaning to expand power of govt
How does the impeachment process work?
- House votes to impeach (formally accuse of a crime)
- Senate holds a trial and then votes to remove from office or not
What is the difference between a standing committee and a select committee?
Standing Committee – Permanent, has to do with a specific area of lawmaking
o Transportation, education
Select committee – temporary, formed to deal with a specific issue and then dissolves when no longer needed
o Covid, 9/11
What is a filibuster?
A political procedure used in the senate to delay or entirely prevent a decision on a proposed bill
