vocab
Confederation
Constitutional arrangement in which sovereign nations or states, by compact, create a central government but carefully limit its power and do not give it direct authority over individuals.
Direct orders
technique of Congress to establish federal regulations. Direct orders must be complied with under threat of criminal or civil sanction.
Constituents
The residents of a congressional district or state.
President pro tempore
Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president.
Parliamentary system
A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.
Implied powers
Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.
Public opinion
The distribution of individual preferences or evaluations of a given issue, candidate, or institution within a specific population.
Reapportionment
the assigning by Congress of congressional seats after each census. State legislatures reapportion state legislative districts.
Filibuster
A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue
Treaty
A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.
Necessary and proper clause
Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.
General election
Elections in which voters elect officeholders.
Redistricting\
The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.
Special or select committee
A congressional committee created for a specific purpose, sometimes to conduct an investigation.
State of the Union Address
The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation.
Inherent powers
The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government.
Primary election
Elections in which voters determine party nominees.
Gerrymandering
The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party, group, or incumbent.
Pocket veto
A veto exercised by the president after Congress has adjourned; if the president takes no action for 10 days, the bill does not become law and does not return to Congress for possible override.
Executive privilege
The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to National Security.
State’s rights
Powers expressly or implicitly reserved to the states.
Midterm election
Elections held midway between presidential elections.
Whip
Party leader who is the liaison between the leadership and the rank-and-file in the legislature.
Override
An action taken by Congress to reverse the presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
Cabinet
Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.