| A | B |
|---|
| amendment | an addition or change |
| federalism | the division between the federal and state governments |
| judicial branch | the branch that interprets the constitution |
| limited government | the central authority is only allowed those duties expressed in the Constitution |
| override | the ability of the Congress to pass a bill over a presidential veto |
| preamble | the introduction the the Constitution that establishes its goals |
| due process | fair and equal treatment under the law |
| quorum | the minimum number of people required to be in sttendance to conduct official business |
| supreme law of the land | the U.S. Constitution |
| misdemeanor | a less serious crime punishable by a fine |
| legislative branch | that branch that makes law |
| checks and balances | the ability of each branch to monitor and control the other two |
| President of the Senate | the Vice President |
| executive branch | the branch that enforces the law |
| qualifications to serve as president | 35 years of age, natural-born citizen, resident within the U.S. for at least 14 years |
| qualifications to serve as a senator | at least 30 years of age, citizen for at least 9 years, resident of state from which elected |
| qualifications to serve as a representative | at least 25 years of age, at least 7 years a citizen, resident of the state from which elected |
| qualifications to serve aa a Supreme Court Justice | no qualifications listed in the Constitution |
| felony | a serious crime punishable by a heavy fine and/or a jail sentence |
| elastic clause | the "necessary and proper" clause |
| executive agreement | a pact between the President and a foreign head of state that does not require Senate approval |
| President Pro Tempore | the acting head of the Senate when the Vice President is not in attendance |
| to coin money | the ability of the federal government to print and determine the value of currency |
| judicial review | the ability of the courts to determine the constitutionality of a law |
| Bill of Rights | the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect people against a too strong government |
| Electoral College | that body that elects the President and Vice President |
| counterfeiting | the forging of currency or artistic works |
| treason | aid and comfort to the enemy |
| copyright | a protection of intellectual or artistic products |
| Speaker of the House | the highest elected official, usually of the majority party, who leads the House |
| powers of the federal government | to declare war, to negotiate peace, to coin money |
| popular sovereignty | the power of the people to change and/or influence government |
| military powers | the power of the President as Commander in Chief |
| shared powers | those powers enjoyed by both the federal and state governments: to make laws, to tax |
| naturalization | the process of becoming a citizen |
| powers of the state governments | the ability to set educational standards, to determine driving age, etc. |
| pocket veto | the ability of the President to deny a Congressional bill, without formally vetoing it |
| separation of powers | the division of responsibilities among the 3 branches of government |
| republic | a form of government where citizens elected representatives to serve their interests |
