The Essentials of the Legislative Branch: Definitions and Concepts

Understanding the Legislative Branch Vocabulary

Amendment: An amendment is a modification or alteration made to a bill, law, or constitution. It is a formal change that aims to improve, clarify, or add to existing legislation.

Apportionment: Apportionment refers to the process of distributing representatives among the states based on their respective populations. This ensures that each state has fair representation in the legislative body.

Now, let's delve deeper into some other important vocabulary terms associated with the Legislative Branch:

• Congress: The United States legislative branch, which is comprised of two chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress holds the power to make laws, levy taxes, declare war, and more.
• Senate: One of the two chambers of Congress, with two senators representing each state. The Senate plays a crucial role in passing laws, confirming appointments, and ratifying international treaties.
• House of Representatives: Also known as the "House" or the "Lower House," this chamber represents the population of each state. It introduces and votes on legislation that impacts the nation as a whole.
• Speaker of the House: The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for maintaining order during debates, recognizing members who wish to speak, and leading the legislative process.