Bicameral Legislature - A lawmaking body with two branches or chambers.

The United States Congress has a bicameral legislature, comprised of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Bill - A form or draft of a proposed statute presented to legislature but not yet passed into law. Bipartisan - Consisting of, or supported by, members of two parties, particularly two major political parties. Cabinet - An advisory board to the President, consisting of the heads of the thirteen executive departments of the federal government. Congressional District - A portion of a state containing approximately 600,000 people represented by one Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional Record - The daily record of House Floor debate and votes. Constituents - The residents of a district represented by a Member of Congress. Electoral College - A group of people who represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the election of the President of the United States. Engrossed - The final version of proposed legislation passed by one chamber of Congress. Enrolled - The final version of legislation that has passed by both chambers of Congress, been signed by their presiding officers, and sent to the President for his signature. Federal Government - The central government of the United States established by the U.S. Constitution

.Hopper - A box into which a proposed legislative bill is dropped. Once the bill has been dropped in the hopper it is officially introduced to the House. House Leadership - The Speaker of the House and House Majority and Minority leaders. House Rules - The rules adopted by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, which enumerate the duties of its various officers, and the rules which govern Members and employees of the House.

House Rules Committee - The committee responsible for setting the rules to govern consideration of a bill on the House Floor. It is often referred to as the "traffic cop" of Congress. Impeach - To accuse someone of misconduct. The Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole power of impeachment. Incorporated Territories - Regions or districts of the United States not admitted as states but that have their own legislatures and the potential to become a state.

Incumbent - Current holder of a public office. Joint Session of Congress - A meeting of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. These meetings occur in the House Chamber, typically for addresses from the President or foreign dignitaries. Oath of Office - The oath each Member-elect must take to officially become a Member of the House. Provisions - A particular section or clause in legislation or law. Quorum - The number of Members required to be present in order for Congress to conduct official business. The Constitution defines a quorum as a majority of each chamber, which is 218 in the House and 51 in the Senate with no vacancies. House Rules also state that 100 Members constitutes a quorum in the Committee of the Whole. Resolution - A measure expressing opinions on policies or issues or dealing with the internal affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate. Roll Call Votes - A call of the roll in the U.S. House of Representatives or the U.S. Senate to determine whether a quorum is present or to vote on a question. Rostrum - A platform for public speaking. In the House, this is the place from which the Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro Tempore, or the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole presides. Session - The period during which Congress assembles to conduct business. Subcommittee - A subgroup of Members of a committee in either the House of

Representatives or the Senate that meets to hold hearings or consider legislation. Table - A motion to stop further action on a bill or a point of order. Unincorporated Territories - Regions or districts of the United States that are not admitted as states but that have their own legislature and no potential to become a state. Veto - The Presidents ability, as allowed by the Constitution, to prevent a bill or joint resolution from becoming a law. It can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each chamber of Congress. Viva Voce Roll Call - A roll call taken verbally. Voting Card - A card, unique to each Member, used to vote with the Electronic Voting System. Unalienable rights - Rights derived from natural rights; includes pursuit of happiness Reserved powers - Gives states power over issues not delegated to national government Limited government - Derived from natural rights; restricts the power of government Federalism - Division of power between federal and state government Natural Rights - Rights that are God given Consent of governed - Philosophy that puts authority of government in the hands of the people Mayor council form- elections by popular vote. Serve as executive head of the City with a legislative body Commission form- election by popular vote. Each member heads a major Department of Government. Council manager form- members are elected by popular vote. Members appoint a manager residential- areas of the municipality fit for habitation; not public commercial- engaged in commerce; pertaining to business industrial- pertaining to a business and manufacturing items for sale or mass production

annexing - adding to the city limits planning commission- the committee that plans for future growth and development of a city extraterritorial powers- Powers granted by the state to a city to regulate areas outside of their city limits eminent domain- The power to take private property for public use by government, following the payment of just compensation to the owner of that property. amendatory or conditional veto - the power to send a bill back to the legislature with suggested changes. casework - taking care of constituents' problems; "errand-running" for particular individuals. express powers - powers which are directly specified in the Constitution. federal - a system in which the states and national government share responsibilities. When people talk about the federal government, they generally mean the national government, although the term often refers to the division of powers between the state and national governments. formula grants - grants given to anyone who meets certain guidelines (grants such as those for school lunches, airports or highways). 80.implied powers - powers which are not explicitly stated in the constitution, but which are implied through the "necessary and proper" clause in Article I, Section 8. .inherent powers - powers which the national government naturally has to represent the country in relations with other countries. line-item veto - the power of a governor to veto particular lines (items) in budget appropriations bills. mandate - a requirement set by the national government to force states to perform a particular action. project grants - grants given to those who make special requests for aid. progressive tax - a tax where people with higher incomes pay a higher percentage of taxable income in state taxes. sunset legislation - legislation that has a specific expiration or renewal date. Sunset legislation can be used in several situations.

It can be used to persuade legislators who do not strongly support a particular measure. When the legislation lasts only a set length of time, the "on the fence" legislators are more likely to vote for it because of its "temporary" nature. Some issues change rapidly (e.g., technology-related issues), and therefore legislation pertaining to these issues must be updated periodically. supermajority - a vote which takes a quantity greater than the majority, usually 2/3 or 3/4, to pass. term limit - a limit on the number of consecutive terms an elected official can serve. unfunded mandate - when the federal government sets regulations for the states to follow and does not provide the states with funds to carry them out. Precinct- an election district of a town or city. Poll-The place where votes are cast and registered. The casting and registering of votes in an election. Vote- A formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution. Concurrent Powers: Duties shared by both the national government and state governments, such as collecting taxes, building roads, and making/enforcing laws. Standing Committees made up of council members before going to the full Council for a vote. All bills are assigned to one or more of the six Standing Committees for recommendations to be made to the full Council. These committees meet during the first and third weeks of each month in the Council Chamber in City Hall. Mayor- Jacksonville's chief executive. The Mayor is elected to a four-year term and may serve two consecutive full terms. The Mayor administers, supervises and controls all departments and division of the executive branch except those headed by other elected officials. He prepares and submits an annual budget the City Council. City Council members- who are elected to four-year terms and serve as part-time legislators, have almost unlimited power to enact legislation in order to provide for the needs of our community.