U.S. Government Vocabulary

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The principle that government operates according to a set of fundamental laws and is limited by a constitution.

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Constitutionalism

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Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, primarily found in Article I, Section 8.

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Enumerated Powers

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Powers that the Constitution does not give to the federal government and are instead held by the states.

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Reserved Powers

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Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as the power to tax and build roads.

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Concurrent Powers

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A clause in Article VI of the Constitution stating that federal law is the 'supreme law of the land,' overriding state laws when conflicts arise.

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Supremacy Clause

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A clause in Article I, Section 8, allowing Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

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Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

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A legal principle that protects individuals from unlawful imprisonment by requiring the government to provide a reason for detention.

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Habeas Corpus

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A tactic used in the U.S. Senate where a senator speaks for an extended time to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

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Filibuster

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A judicial decision agreed upon by more than half of the justices in a Supreme Court case, explaining the ruling.

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Majority Opinion

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A written statement by a Supreme Court justice who disagrees with the majority ruling, explaining their reasoning.

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Dissenting Opinion