Legislative Branch Vocabulary Review

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Across
  1. 5. a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
  2. 10. a procedure to limit or end floor debate, especially during a filibuster
  3. 11. permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject area are referred
  4. 12. temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses’ versions of a bill
  5. 15. chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by the legislature (literally means “I forbid” in Latin)
  6. 17. the act of lying under oath
  7. 18. the member of the US Senate, or of the upper house of a State’s legislature, chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the Senate
  8. 20. Caucus a closed meeting of a party’s House or Senate members, also called a party conference
  9. 21. the current office holder
  10. 25. the final clause of Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out its powers
  11. 27. the people and interests that an elected official represents
  12. 29. the process by which proposed laws are considered and acted upon by the full membership of the House or Senate
  13. 31. a proposal for action that has the force of law when passed, usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters
  14. 32. suspend, as in a session of Congress
Down
  1. 1. the presiding officer of a senate; in Congress, the Vice President of the United States; in a state’s legislature, either the lieutenant governor or a senator
  2. 2. a stalling tactic in which senators monopolize the Senate floor and talk and other delays so a bill can not be brought to a vote
  3. 3. electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
  4. 4. the floor leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in each house of Congress
  5. 6. the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
  6. 7. people with authority to represent others at a conference or a convention
  7. 8. a type of veto a chief executive may use after a legislature has adjourned when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so
  8. 9. the floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in each house of Congress
  9. 13. members of the House or Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals
  10. 14. to bring formal charges against a public official
  11. 16. the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House of Representatives
  12. 19. assistants to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes
  13. 22. to issue a formal condemnation
  14. 23. a measure relating to the business of either house of Congress or expressing an opinion does not have the force of law and does not require the President’s signature
  15. 24. a statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law and does not require the President’s signature
  16. 26. unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will “ride” through the legislative process
  17. 28. period of time each year during which Congress assembles and conducts business
  18. 30. to begin a new session of Congress