Competency 3.2 - identify the functions of US political institutions, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

a congress made of one body

a congress split into two bodies that balance and check each other

grants implied power to implement the delegated powers

a formal accusation of wrong-doing and removal from office

changes or additions to the current constitution

formal approval from the states

a party under arrest to be brought before the court where authorities must show cause for detainment

irons out differences between the House and Senate version of a bill before it is sent for presidential approval

unique to the House of Representatives, this committee acts as a clearing house to weed out bills unworthy of consideration by the full House

a committee that scrutinizes revenue-raising bills before being evaluated by the entire House

laws that make past actions punishable that were legal when they first occurred

a delaying tactic that can postpone ant action indefinitely; only allowed in the senate

presidential rejection of a proposed bill

when the president neither signs nor rejects a bill, and the congress adjourns within ten days of the president’s reciept of the legislation

power to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions of the legislative and executive branches

an opinion of a justice that agrees with the final ruling, but for a different reason

an opinion of a justice that disagrees with a final ruling

handles conflicts between citizens and the internal revenue service (IRS)

hears cases in which citizens bring suit against the US government

monitors surface transportation and some pipelines

supervises the banking system, sets interest rates, and controls the money supply

protects consumers by looking into false advertising and antitrust violations

polices the airwaves by licensing radio and television stations ans regulating cable and telephone companies

protects investors by monitoring the sale of stocks and bonds