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United States Government Vocabulary. Principles of Government. Federalism. The principle in the Constitution that divides power between the national government and the state government. Enumerated Powers. Powers in the Constitution that are given only to the federal government.
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Federalism • The principle in the Constitution that divides power between the national government and the state government.
Enumerated Powers • Powers in the Constitution that are given only to the federal government.
Concurrent Powers • Powers shared by the states and federal government (Powers they have at the same time).
Reserved Powers • Powers saved for the state governments only.
Checks and Balances • Each branch keeps an eye on every other branch.
Separation of Powers • The powers of government are divided into three branches.
Limited Government • The idea that government cannot do whatever it wants.
Flexibility • The ability to change or bend the Constitution.
Popular Sovereignty • The people are the source of government’s power.
Amendment • A change (or addition) in the constitution.
Bill • A proposed law.
Committee • A group of Senators or Representatives organized to study and make proposals for bills.
Speaker of the House • The leader of the House of Representatives and the most powerful person in Congress.
President of the Senate • The leader of the Senate and is also the Vice President.
President pro tempore • The leader who takes over in the Senate if the President of the Senate, the Vice President, is not present.
Census • A count of the number of people in the state.
Congressional District • Area of a state with clearly defined boundaries and approximately equal population.
Filibuster • Opposing bill by non-stop talking until a majority of the Senate abandons or modifies it.
Veto • The President sends a bill back to Congress with the reasons he believes it should not become a law.
Impeachment • To bring charges against a public official.
Term • The length of time for which a person is elected to office.
Override • A challenge of a president’s veto by 2/3 majority vote against it.
Commander in Chief • Head of the armed forces (the President).
Line of Succession • The order in which people assume the presidency.
Appoint to office • Choosing a government official.
Cabinet • The people the President appoints as his advisors.
Supreme Court Justice • Member of the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice • The head of the Supreme Court.
Judicial Review • The power to declare a law unconstitutional.
Marbury v. Madison • The case which established the power of judicial review.
Primary Election • An election to choose a candidate.
General Election • An election to choose electors who then vote for the President.
Polling place • The place voters cast their ballots.
Qualifications to vote • U.S. citizen, 18 years old, legal resident of the state in which voting.
Electoral College • A special group of voters selected by their state legislatures to vote for the president and vice president.
Taxes • Money paid to the government to help finance government.
Jury • A group of citizens who examine the evidence against the accused and determine guilty or not guilty.
Selective Service • Required military service.