Across
- 5. a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration
- 10. a procedure to limit or end floor debate, especially during a filibuster
- 11. permanent committee in a legislative body to which bills in a specified subject area are referred
- 12. temporary joint committee created to reconcile any differences between the two houses’ versions of a bill
- 15. chief executive’s power to reject a bill passed by the legislature (literally means “I forbid” in Latin)
- 17. the act of lying under oath
- 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
- 20. Caucus a closed meeting of a party’s House or Senate members, also called a party conference
- 21. the current office holder
- 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
- 27. the people and interests that an elected official represents
- 29. the process by which proposed laws are considered and acted upon by the full membership of the House or Senate
- 31. a proposal for action that has the force of law when passed, usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters
- 32. suspend, as in a session of Congress
Down
- 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. 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. electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each elected office
- 4. the floor leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in each house of Congress
- 6. the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group
- 7. people with authority to represent others at a conference or a convention
- 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
- 9. the floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in each house of Congress
- 13. members of the House or Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals
- 14. to bring formal charges against a public official
- 16. the presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by and from the majority party in the House of Representatives
- 19. assistants to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes
- 22. to issue a formal condemnation
- 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
- 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
- 26. unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will “ride” through the legislative process
- 28. period of time each year during which Congress assembles and conducts business
- 30. to begin a new session of Congress