appropriation
a bill that spends tax payers money, must be initiated in the House of Representatives
bicameral
a legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
Bill of Attainder
A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court
census
a population count taken by the Census Bureau
Cloture
A procedure used in the Senate to limit debate on a bill
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared between the national and state governments
Congress
Legislative branch of the federal government. Divided into the Senate and House of Representatives. Has the power to make laws
Constituents
A person from a legislator's district
Elastic Clause
Clause in Article I, Section 9 Clause 18 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws "necessary and proper" to carry out its expressed powers
Ex post facto law
A law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
expressed powers
powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution. Also known as delegated or enumerated
Filibuster
A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bill's sponsor withdraws it
Franking Privilege
The right of senators and representatives to send job related mail without paying postage
Gerrymander
A oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group
House of Representatives
Lower house of Congress
Impeach
To accuse government officials of misconduct in office
Implied Powers
Powers that Congress has that are not stated explicitly in the Constitution
Joint Committee
Committee made up of both representatives and senators
Joint Resolution
A resolution that is passed by both houses in Congress
Legislative Branch
The part of government that makes laws
Lobbyist
Representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making
Minority Party
In both the House and Senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong
Pocket Veto
President's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days
Pork-barrel project
Government projects and grants that primarily benefit the home district or state
Reserved Powers
Powers kept by the states
Rider
a completely unrelated amendment tacked onto a bill
Roll Call Vote
a voting method in the Senate in which members voice their votes in turn
Senate
upper house of Congress
Seniority
Years of service, which is used as a consideration for assigning committee members
Seniority
people who have served in Congress the longest get preference for committee assignments and leadership positions
special-interest group
an organization of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions
standing committee
permanent committees that continue their work from session to session in Congress
voice vote
a voting method in which those in favor say "Yea" and those against say "No
Writ of Habeas Corpus
A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person