Unit 4 Vocabulary: The Legislative Branch

Gerrymandering is a practice that involves manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor one political party over another. It is not related to campaign strategy, voter suppression, or government spending policies.

Redistricting is the process of adjusting political boundaries to reflect changes in population. In the context of the United States, it specifically refers to the creation of new House of Representative districts based on population changes.

A veto is when the executive branch rejects a bill, preventing it from becoming a law. This power allows the executive to block legislation passed by the legislative branch.

Congress can overrule a presidential veto if 2/3 of both the House of Representatives and the Senate agree, which is a higher threshold than a simple majority vote in both chambers.

A conference committee is specifically formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a bill and create a compromise version before it is sent to the president for approval.

A congressional committee is a small group of Congresspeople that focus on specific areas of legislation and debate the details of bills before potentially recommending them for a full vote by the entire Congress. The incorrect options do not accurately describe the function of a congressional committee.

In political contexts, a bill refers to a proposed law that is presented to a legislative body for consideration and possible enactment.

The impeachment process involves the House of Representatives voting to impeach and accuse the person of a crime, followed by the Senate voting to convict and find the person guilty. The other incorrect answers provided do not accurately reflect the main steps of the impeachment process.

Enumerated Powers are specific powers listed in the US Constitution that are granted to the federal government. These powers are explicitly stated and limited in scope.

Affirmative Action is a government policy aimed at addressing past and present discrimination by encouraging the hiring of individuals from marginalized groups to increase diversity and opportunities in the workplace.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life. It ensures equal opportunities for people with disabilities in employment, public accommodations, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.

Title IX specifically forbids gender discrimination in any educational program, ensuring equal treatment regardless of gender.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits states from discriminating against citizens in voting practices, such as implementing poll taxes or literacy tests as requirements to vote. It does not limit voting rights based on demographics, set age requirements, or mandate political party affiliation.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 specifically prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, and religion in various settings such as employment, education, and businesses.

The Maryland General Assembly refers to the state's legislature, responsible for creating laws and governing the state. It is composed of the Maryland Senate and the Maryland House of Delegates.