Unit 3: How the Federal Government
Functions
Definitions:
1. Bill → a draft of a proposal for discussion
2. Legislator → a lawmaker who debates and discusses
3. Sponsor → a legislator that presents a bill for consideration
4. Committee → a sub-group of members who are chosen to investigate, debate,
and report on laws
5. Table → to end a debate on a bill
6. Floor Debate → discussing ideas on the floor of a legislative body
7. Party Whip → a role in the Legislative branch; keeps track of attendance
8. Filibuster → delaying tactics by using long speeches
9. Cloture → to bring a debate on a bill to an end (usually done by the Senate)
10. Veto → to reject the bill (usually done by the Executive Branch)
Federalism - an American system of government that splits power between the
national, state, and local government
● There are four levels of government - National/Federal, State, Country/Parish,
and Local Municipal
● There are three levels of government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
, Supremacy Clause - States can't make laws that interfere with the Constitution
and/or the laws made by the Congress
● The state government has more impact on citizens
● Limits the federal and state government powers
Separation of Powers ↴
The power of the government is split into legislative, executive, judicial
Functions
Definitions:
1. Bill → a draft of a proposal for discussion
2. Legislator → a lawmaker who debates and discusses
3. Sponsor → a legislator that presents a bill for consideration
4. Committee → a sub-group of members who are chosen to investigate, debate,
and report on laws
5. Table → to end a debate on a bill
6. Floor Debate → discussing ideas on the floor of a legislative body
7. Party Whip → a role in the Legislative branch; keeps track of attendance
8. Filibuster → delaying tactics by using long speeches
9. Cloture → to bring a debate on a bill to an end (usually done by the Senate)
10. Veto → to reject the bill (usually done by the Executive Branch)
Federalism - an American system of government that splits power between the
national, state, and local government
● There are four levels of government - National/Federal, State, Country/Parish,
and Local Municipal
● There are three levels of government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
, Supremacy Clause - States can't make laws that interfere with the Constitution
and/or the laws made by the Congress
● The state government has more impact on citizens
● Limits the federal and state government powers
Separation of Powers ↴
The power of the government is split into legislative, executive, judicial
