Chapter 4: Congress
Constituency
The body of voters in a given area who elect a representative or a senator
Impeachment
The process by which the legislative body can remove a president or other government official from a role.
Majority Opinion
Binding Supreme Court opinions, which serve as a precedent in future cases
Necessary and Proper Clause
Know as the elastic clause, comes from Article 1, Section 8. Granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.
Federalism
Sharing of powers between the national, state, and local governments.
Filibuster
A tactic used by individual senators that use the right of unlimited debate to extend a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation
Presidential Pardon
Presidential authority to forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime.
Marbury v. Madison - Outcome
Faction
A group of self-interested people.
14th Amendment
Established the equal protection clause, and established natural born citizenship.
Partisan Gerrymandering
Drawing of district boundaries into strange shapes to benefit a political party
Pocket Veto
An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within 10 days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.
A philosophy of constitutional interpretation that asserts justices should be cautious when overturning laws. Using judicial review less often.
New Jersey Plan
A plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each state.
Categorical Grants
Grants-in-aid provided to states that have specific provisions on their use.
Whip
A member of Congress chosen by party members whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline
Bully Pulpit
Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies
Original Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to act as the first court to hear a case, which includes the finding of facts in the case
Writ of Habeas Corpus
You must be told of the charges that are being brought against them.
Extradition
The requirement that officials in one state return a defendant to another state where the crime was committed.
Pork Barrel Spending
Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states
Signing State
Text issues by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill, but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself
Civil Law
A category of law covering cases involving private rights and relationships between individuals and groups
Ex Post Facto Laws
A law punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed
Full Faith and Credit Clause
Constitutional clause requiring states to recognize the public acts, records, and civil court proceedings from another state.