Category: Reference


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How Congress Works

How Impeachment Works in the United States

Impeachment is the constitutional process through which Congress can remove the President, Vice President, federal judges, and other civil officers of the United States for “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The…

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Political Glossary

What Is the War Powers Resolution?

The War Powers Resolution of 1973 is a federal law intended to check the President’s power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress.…

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Political Glossary

What Is the Electoral College?

The Electoral College is the constitutional mechanism through which the President and Vice President of the United States are elected. Rather than being chosen by a direct national popular vote,…

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Political Glossary

What Is an Executive Order?

An executive order is a directive issued by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government. Executive orders have the force of law and are…

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How Congress Works

Understanding Congressional Committees

Congressional committees are the workhorses of the United States Congress, responsible for reviewing legislation, conducting oversight of the executive bra...

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How Congress Works

How the Federal Appropriations Process Works

The federal appropriations process is the annual procedure through which Congress allocates funding for the operations of the United States government.

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How Congress Works

The Role of the Speaker of the House

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the United States House of Representatives and is second in the presidential line of succession, after...

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How Congress Works

How Senate Confirmation Works

The Senate confirmation process is the constitutional mechanism through which the United States Senate reviews and approves or rejects presidential appoint...

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Political Glossary

What Is Gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage over the other.