Unit 3: How the Federal Government Functions

a draft of a proposal for discussion

a lawmaker who debates and discusses

a legislator that presents a bill for consideration

a sub-group of members who are chosen to investigate, debate, and report on laws

to end a debate on a bill

discussing ideas on the floor of a legislative body

a role in the Legislative branch; keeps track of attendance

delaying tactics by using long speeches

to bring a debate on a bill to an end (usually done by the Senate)

to reject the bill (usually done by the Executive Branch) 

an American system of government that splits power between the national, state, and local government

National/Federal, State, Country/Parish, and Local Municipal

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

states can't make laws that interfere with the Constitution and/or the laws made by the Congress 

the power of the government is split into legislative, executive, judicial 

checks and balances provide each branch of the government with individual powers to check the other branches and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

mike johnson

chuck shumer

minimum age: 35, term length: 2 years, unlimited terms, must be a citzen for 7 years

• Minimum age: 30

• Term length: 2 years

• Unlimited terms

• Must be a citizen for 8 years

• Live in the state you are representing

• Minimum age: 35

• Term length: 2 years

• Limited to 2 years

• Born in the U.S.

• Lived in the U.S. for 14 years

• A citizen

permanent panel with full legislative functions and oversight responsibilities

forms to tackle very specific tasks within the jurisdiction of the full committees

groups appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration 

includes members of both chambers to conduct studies are perform housekeeping tasks 

includes members of the House and Senate to work out differences between similar bills

when the courts review the actions of the government to make sure they follow the law; it helps protect our rights and keeps the government in check

Legislator, Representative, Partisan, Committee Member, and Politician