U.S. Government Chapter 5 Flashcards

Key Terms and Definitions

• Constituents: Individuals represented by a member of Congress, crucial for democratic representation.
• Apportionment: Distribution of congressional representatives based on state population, essential for equitable representation.
• Appropriation: Specific funds allocated by the legislature for designated purposes, important for budget management.
• Impeachment: Formal process of accusing public officials of misconduct, significant for maintaining checks and balances in government.
• Oversight: Congressional review of agency activities, essential for accountability and transparency in government operations.

Constitutional Provisions

• Necessary and Proper Clause: Grants Congress implied powers related to its expressed powers, allowing flexibility in legislation.
• Commerce Clause: Empowers Congress to regulate interstate business activities, foundational for economic governance.

Taxation Types

• Indirect Tax: Tax assessed on goods or services, influencing consumer behavior indirectly.
• Direct Tax: Tax levied directly on individuals or organizations, impacting personal financial assessments.

Fiscal Concepts

• Deficit: Occurs when federal spending exceeds revenues, indicating potential financial instability.
• Reapportionment: Renegotiation of representation after each census, vital for reflecting demographic changes in Congress.

Legislative Processes

• Gerrymandering: Manipulation of district boundaries for political gain, often undermining fair representation.
• Bill of Attainder: Legislative act declaring an individual guilty without trial, prohibited as a violation of due process.
• Ex Post Facto Law: Law criminalizing actions retroactively, which is unconstitutional due to fairness principles.

Legislative Leadership

• Speaker of the House: Presiding officer of the House of Representatives and leader of the majority party, playing a crucial role in legislative agenda.
• Floor Leader: Party strategist responsible for legislative organization and coalition building.
• Whips: Party leaders who ensure party discipline and manage vote counts on key legislation.

Committees and Resolutions

• Standing Committee: Permanent committee focusing on specific policy areas, integral for detailed legislative scrutiny.
• Select Committee: Temporary committee for specific purposes, addressing unique issues in-depth.
• Joint Committee: Comprises members from both houses to streamline investigation and reporting processes.

Voting and Debate Procedures

• Filibuster: Tactical delay method, allowing prolonged debate to obstruct legislation, reflecting the importance of minority rights.
• Cloture: Procedure to end filibuster and limit debate, facilitating legislative progress.
• Roll Call Vote: Method of voting where members declare their votes openly, enhancing accountability.

Additional Legislative Tools

• Rider: An unrelated amendment to secure a bill's passage, often controversial in legislative debates.
• Discharge Petition: Tool enabling a majority of the House to bring a stalled bill to the floor, enhancing legislative efficiency.
• Quorum: Minimum number of members required for legislative business, ensuring representation.

Final Legislative Actions

• Pocket Veto: President's option to ignore a bill, effectively killing it if Congress adjourns.
• Veto: Formal rejection of legislation by the president, which can be overturned by a two-thirds majority in Congress, showcasing executive power limits.

Resolution Types

• Joint Resolution: A resolution with binding effect once signed by the president, often used for significant legislative decisions.
• Concurrent Resolution: Expresses opinions of both houses without legal force, reflecting consensus on specific issues.