Government Vocabulary

3. The body of law that relates to crime
6. The power a branch has over the other two branches to prevent (keep) one branch from having too much power
7. The branch of government that makes the law
9. A document where the government promises to repay the amount borrowed on a certain date and to make regular interest payments until that time
10. Actions citizens should perform but are not required under law
12. Government’s plan for revenue and spending
15. Something citizens must perform under penalty of law
17. A political and administrative division of a state, providing certain local governmental services
18. Relating to a city or town or its governing body
22. Legal disputes between citizens, businesses, and governments
25. Constitutional principle that recognizes people’s fundamental rights
26. The power (check) to reject a bill passed by the legislature
27. Constitutional principle that believes political authority comes from the people. The government is subject to the will of the people

1. Constitutional principle that divides power among different branches of government with each branch having its own responsibilities
2. A form of government run by elected representatives under a Constitution
4. The branch of government that enforces (executes) the law
5. Constitutional principle when a government has people elect representatives to represent the people and make decisions in government on their behalf
8. Document which outlines the fundamental rules, limits, and responsibilities of the government
11. The branch of government that interprets and studies the law
13. Basic rights protected by a Constitution
14. The power of the Texas governor to reject “a line” or some of the provisions of a spending bill
16. Section of the Constitution which protects individual freedoms
19. Constitutional principle that gives each branch of government the ability to limit the power of other branches
20. Constitutional principle that ensures that government powers are limited (restricted) by a constitution in order to protect individual rights
21. A form of government in which power is shared between the federal, or national, government and state governments
23. The body of law that relates to crime
24. A change or addition to the Constitution