American Government ch 11

census

a population count

session

the regular period of time during which Congress conducts business

term

the length of time officials serve after an election

impeachment

bring charges against an official in high office

gerrymandering

the act of drawing congressional districts to the advantage of the political party that controls the state legislature

filibuster

a tactic of "talking a bill to death" while preventing it from going to a vote

expressed powers

powers granted expressly in the Constitution

implied powers

granted by reasonable deduction from the expressed powers

continuous body

all of the seats are never up for election at the same time

chairman

members who head committees in each chamber of Congress

conference committee

a temporary, joint body, created to iron out the differences between bills passed by the House and Senate before they're sent to the President

standing committee

permanent committees in Congress to which bills of a similar nature can be sent

select committee

panels established to handle a specific matter and usually exist for a limited time

senate qualifications

- at least 30 years old - a US citizen for at least 9 years - inhabitant of the state they're elected to

house qualifications

- at least 25 year old - a US citizen for at least 7 years - an inhabitant of the state they're elected to

duties of the house

- sole power to impeach officials of high office - power to create tax laws

duties of the senate

- holds impeachment trials - approves presidential nominations

powers of congress

- expressed powers listed in Article 1, Section 8 - implied powers located in the "Necessary and Proper Clause" - inherent powers come from being and running a country

strict constructionist

Congress should be able to exercise only its: expressed powers and those implied powers absolutely necessary to carry out those expressed powers

liberal constructionist

believe in a broad construction of the powers given to Congress