Congressional Terms and Powers

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Expressed Powers

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Powers that are given to an institution of government directly in the Constitution, such as Congress's power to tax

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Implied Powers

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Powers that are necessary to carry out an expressed power in the Constitution, like the power of Congress to establish a bank

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Franking Privilege

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The free mail and electronic signature system used by members of Congress.

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Pork Barrel

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A provision in a bill that benefits a specific congressional constituency

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Filibuster

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A procedure used in the Senate to talk a bill to death

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Casework

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When congressional staff help a constituent solve a problem

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Oversight

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Congressional committee hearings held to determine how well an agency is doing its job

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Motion for Cloture

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A vote by 60 senators to end a filibuster

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Incumbent

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An officeholder who is running for reelection

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Logrolling

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When members of Congress trade votes for favors in order to get the bills they support passed.