Chapter 1
The branch of the government that writes the law
Legislative branch
The revolutionary leaders who started the U.S. and wrote the U.S. Constitution
Founding Fathers
A draft of a proposed law before it is passed
Bill
Money charged to the people to pay for government projects
Tax
The branch of the government that enforces the law
Executive branch
The elected leader of a state
Governor
A formal agreement between two or more countries
Treaty
A public statement given by a constituent to lawmakers, in hopes of creating or changing a law
Public testimony
The branch of the government that interprets the law
Judicial branch
A law that made the production and sale of alcohol illegal from 1920-1933
Prohibition
To charge a government official, like the president, with a crime or serious offense
Impeach
A law given by a local authority, like noise ordinance
Ordinance
To sign a government document, making it official
Ratify
To revoke or cancel a law or amendment
Repeal
A group of congress people that meet to discuss specific issues
Committee
A law or rule usually used to manage people’s behavior, like traffic regulations
Regulation
A person authorized to represent people at the Constitutional Convention
Delegate
The plan for how the U.S. government will spend its money for the next year
Federal budget
The person next in rank under the president, who will become president if the president dies or is removed from office
Vice President
One of the two chambers of a legislature, usually made up of more people
Lower house
The first section of the constitution
Preamble
How long someone may serve in a certain office, like the presidency
Term limit
A legislative body, like the House of Representatives and the Senate
Chamber
One of the two chambers of a legislature, usually made up of fewer people
Upper house
The idea that all people, including leaders, must follow the law
Rule of Law
The federal body of the legislative branch, made up of representatives from all 50 states
Congress
A member of Congress whose name is written first on a bill
Sponsor
A person who works to influence the government on a particular issue
Lobbyists
A founding idea of the U.S., saying that the government gets its power from the people
Popular sovereignty
The lower house of Congress, made up of 435 representatives
House of representatives
A regional area divided for a purpose, like a county
District
What some states call one chamber of their legislative branch
Assembly
The separation of powers between the different branches of government
Checks and balances
The upper house of Congress, made up of 100 senators
Senate
The leader of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the house
A form of local government in which elected members serve both legislative and executive powers
Commission
The form of government used in the U.S. that separates powers between the national government and state governments
Federalism
A body of people that make laws
Legislature
A voter in a district or state
Constituent
An official request by the government to do something
Mandate