Legislative Branch

Vocabulary

Census - A population count taken by the Census Bureau.

Gerrymandering - An oddly shaped election district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group.

Enumerated Powers - Powers granted directly to the national government by the Constitution.

Elastic Clause - A Clause in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws "Necessary and Proper" to carry out its expressed powers.

Special Powers

Powers of Congress

Makes Bills.

Considers and votes on Bills

Measure and balance out things.

Sends the president

Make laws "Necessary and Proper."

Impeachment Trials.

Treaties with foreign places.

Important People in Congress

The Speaker of the House.

The Vice President.

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Bill has to be allowed by the president.

Bill cannot be vetoed.

Bill has to be enforced.

Filibuster - A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bill's sponsor withdraws it.

Bill has to be passed to the House of Representatives and the Senate.