| A | B |
|---|
| appointment | an act of appointing; assigning a job or position to someone |
| article | a separate clause, paragraph, or section of a legal document |
| bicameral | having two chambers or houses |
| bill | a proposed law |
| coining money | printing money and/or minting coins |
| committee selection | the process of placing lawmakers on committees |
| concurrent powers | powers that are shared between the federal and state governments |
| conference committee | a committee responsible for matching bills passed by the House and Senate |
| constitutional government | a government whose powers are defined by a constitution or similar document |
| declaration of war | the power of Congress to declare war |
| delegated powers | powers that are delegated to Congress and/or the federal government |
| due process | fair treatment through the normal judicial system |
| executive branch | the branch of government that enforces laws |
| impeach | to formally accuse a federal official of misconduct |
| implied powers | powers that are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution |
| law | a system of rules that are created and enforced through social or governmental institutions |
| legislative branch | branch of government that writes laws |
| legislature | the legislative body of a country or state |
| necessary and proper clause | gives Congress the power to make "all Laws which shall be necessary and proper" |
| nominate | to propose or formally enter as a candidate for election or confirmation |
| President Pro Tempore of the Senate | presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President |
| presidential appointment | a presidential selection that is subject to Senate confirmation |
| Speaker of the House | the presiding officer in the U.S. House of Representatives |
| special committee | a temporary committee created for a special purpose |
| standing committee | permanent committee that meets regularly |
| U.S. Congress | the lawmaking body of the United States |
| U.S. House of Representatives | The lower house in Congress |
| U.S. Senate | The upper house in Congress |
| act | a written ordinance of Congress |
| constituent | being a voting member of a community or organiztion |
| lawmaker | legislator |
| veto | to officially reject a proposed law |
| case law | law that is based on the court's interpretation of the law |
| civil law | system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community |
| Code of Hammurabi | the first recorded code of laws in history |
| common law | the part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent |
| constitutional law | a body of law which defines the role, powers, and structure of government |
| criminal law | a system of law concerned with crime and punishment |
| juvenile law | law concerning the conduct of minors under the age of 18 |
| lawsuit | a claim or a dispute brought to civil court |
| military law | system of law that governs how military personnel behave |
| precedent | an example for future actions or decisions |
| regulation | a rule or directive made and maintained by an authority |
| source | origin |
