Across
- 3. Two chambers
- 5. Procedure whereby the state submits legislation to its voters for approval, allowing citizens to vote directly on issues
- 8. Assistance given to constituents by congressional members, answering questions/doing favors
- 11. Occurs when government spending exceeds revenue
- 13. A proposal for a law
- 14. Standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
- 19. Congress monitors policies of the executive branch (money, hearings, investigations)-checks and balances
- 20. Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented
- 21. The right to vote
- 23. After listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
- 24. Party officials in the Democratic Party who attend the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
- 25. The authority of the courts to hear and decide issues in certain cases
- 28. Method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government (who gets what, when, and how)
Down
- 1. Legal document submitted to the court setting forth the facts of a case and supporting a particular position
- 2. A revision/change to a bill, law, or constitution
- 4. Written statement of criminal charges brought against a defendant
- 6. People qualified to vote
- 7. A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate
- 9. Government departments headed by presidential appointees
- 10. A system whereby the people rule either directly/by elected representation
- 12. Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state
- 15. When opposing parties and interests often block each other's proposals, creating a political stalemate/inaction between the executive and legislative branches of government
- 16. Supported a strong central government and expanded legislative powers
- 17. Drawing of congressional districts to favor one political party/group over another
- 18. The exchange of political favors for support of a bill
- 22. Assistant to the floor leaders, keeps a head count of votes, rounds up members for important votes
- 26. A consistent set of beliefs by groups/individuals
- 27. The person currently holding office
- 28. A convicted person is exempt form the penalties of a crime
- 29. Locally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political offices