Government Structures
Government with one legislative house
Unicameral
Branch of government that makes the laws.
Legislative
Powers directly written in the Constitution.
Enumerated Powers
Slander
Act of rejecting a bill by choosing not to sign it into law while Congress is not in session.
Pocket Veto
System in which power is divided between state and the national governments.
Federalism
Branch of government that makes sure laws are constitutional.
Judicial
Powers shared by federal and state governments.
Concurrent Powers
Legal document allowing officials to search a home, collect evidence, or make an arrest.
Warrant
Word that describes public works, such as roads, bridges, and transportation systems.
Infrastructure
Government with two legislative houses.
Bicameral
Branch of government that enforces the laws.
Executive
Powers not directly written in the Constitution but still granted.
Implied Powers
Law or government rule created by local authorities
Ordinance
Idea that the government's power comes from the people.
Popular Sovereignty
Introduction or preface to the Constitution.
Preamble
Idea that no one branch controls the entire government.
Separation of Powers
Powers that belong only to the states.
Reserved Powers.
Dividing legal or physical boundaries of authority.
Jurisdiction
Formal process of accusing an elected official of misconduct.
Impeachment
The right to vote in public elections.
Franchise
Branch of government that includes the Supreme Court
Judicial
Maximum time an elected official can serve in office.
Term Limit
Legal order to determine if a person's imprisonment is lawful.
Habeas Corpus
System in which each branch of government can keep the others in check.
Checks and Balances