U. S. Government/U. S. Branches/Legislative Branch/Vocabulary


 * 1) Bicameral - 2 house (Example: The legislative branch is bicameral, since it has Congress, which is made up of the Senate (made up of 100 senators, 2 from each state) and the House of Representatives (made up of 435 members)
 * 2) Congress - The national legislative branch; Makes laws for the nation;
 * 3) Expressed Powers - Powers given to Congress that are specifically written in the US Constitution.
 * 4) Implied powers - Powers used to carry out expressed powers (Powers given to Congress in the necessary and proper clause "elastic clause.") They are not written in the Constitution.
 * 5) Necessary and Proper Clause ("Elastic Clause") - Gives Congress the ability to carry out any laws they feel are necessary in order to carry out their duties
 * 6) Bill - proposed law
 * 7) Veto - to reject a bill. Power given to the president or governor (they can veto a bill). A veto can be override by a 2/3s majority vote.
 * 8) Impeach - To accuse of wrong doing.
 * 9) Lobbying - Seeking to influence legislators to introduce, or vote for/against a bill.
 * 10) Public policy -  Government response to public issues.
 * 11) Interest Group - Groups of people who work together for similar interests or goals. (Example: The NRA)
 * 12) Ordinance - A municipal regulation; a law made by a government authority. (basically: local law)
 * 13) General Assembly - The state legislature branch of Virginia. They make laws for Virginia. The General Assembly is bicameral, in which the General Assembly is made up of the VA Senate and the House of Delegates.
 * 14) Federalism - The division of power between the state and federal (national) government.
 * 15) Separation of Powers - Division of power between the branches.
 * 16) Checks and Balances - Each of the three branches of government at the national level have ways to limit power from one branch.
 * 17) Reserved Powers - Powers that are given to the states.