Upgrade to remove ads
Only $2.99/month

Civics: Unit 2 study guide

Terms in this set (27)

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
implied powers used as a source of government authority
- ie gov programs, medicare and social security and IRS
commerce
the buying and selling of goods
expressed powers
powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution
- ie raise/collect taxes, borrow money, regulate commerce, coin money etc
Power of the Purse
Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money
Bicameral
two house legislature (senate and house)
Representation in the House
based on population (435 member total)
- interest of the citizens who live in their district (section of a state) for a term of two years
Representation in the Senate
two senator from each state ( 100 total)
- the interest of the citizens across their entire state for a term of six years
checks and balances of congress
- power of the purse
- power of advise and consent
- impeachment power
- create lower federal courts
revenue bills
Tax bills (must originate in the House) to raise money for the government
Process of how a bill becomes a law
- Bill is introduced in either house of Congress,
- Referred to standing committee,
- Debated on Floor
- Voted on. If the bill passes one chamber, it is sent to the other chamber where the process starts over
- If the bill passes both chambers, it is sent to conference committee to work out differences in bills, creating a new bill, which must be voted on again by both chambers of Congress (needs a simple majority to pass)
- Bill sent to President who can sign it into law, veto it and send it back (can be over-ridden with a 2/3 vote), not sign it within 10 days making it a law, or pocket veto (not sign and if Congress adjourns within 10 days the bill dies)
Filibusters
an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
Cloture
A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.
conference committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form. 2/3 vote
constituency
the people and interests that an elected official represents
Leadership positions in the House
House speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whips
Leadership position in the Senate
1. Senate majority leader
2. Senate minority leader
3. senate majority whip
4. Senate minority whip
Economic tools of foreign policy
to bring social and political change
Diplomatic tools of foreign policy
to help build peaceful relationships w/ other countries and promote national security
War Powers Act
Passed during the Vietnam War, Congress passed this act to restrict Presidential powers dealing with war.
- required the President to report to Congress within 48 hours after committing troops to a foreign conflict or enlarging units in a foreign country.
Checks and Balances of State Legislatures
...
Reapportionment
the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census
Gerrymandering
Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.
Incumbency
holding the political office for which one is running
term limits
...
qualifications for senate
minimum age 30, U.S. citizen for 9 years, and resident of the state represented
qualifications of house of representatives
2 year term, at least 25 years of age and u.s. citizen for 7 years
Direct Democracy
A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...