Definition Congress is the group in charge of making decisions that affect the whole United States. It’s like a team that decides the rules of a big game we all play, called “Life in the USA.” This team is split into two smaller ones, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each team has different player counts, game strategies, and rulebooks, but they compete on the same fi... »
Definition A chairperson is like the boat captain of a meeting, guiding the discussions and making sure it sails smoothly from start to end. This person, often called the “chair” or “chairman,” is in charge of running meetings in a way that is organized, ensures everyone’s thoughts are heard, and leads to clear decisions. It’s kind of like a referee in a sports ... »
Definition of an Amendment An amendment is a change or addition to a set of official rules or laws, like an update for a computer or game to fix things or add new features. Think of an amendment to the US Constitution as an important edit that helps the country’s most significant document stay helpful and relevant as times change. The Constitution is the foundation of all laws in the US, and... »
Definition of Adjourn An adjournment is what happens when a meeting or official gathering decides to take a break or to stop and continue at another time. Think of a sports game that’s paused because it starts to rain, and everyone plans to finish the game later. It’s a bit like that, but for meetings or political sessions rather than sports. In the context of U.S. politics, whenever C... »
Definition of Veto A veto is like an official “stop sign” used by the President of the United States to prevent a piece of legislation from becoming law. Imagine a new law as a train rolling down the tracks. The President stands at the final stop and can either allow the train to pass or put up a barrier to stop it. That barrier is the veto. It’s a constitutionally granted power ... »
What is a Public Bill? A public bill is like a big idea that someone in the government comes up with to make things better or fix problems that affect a lot of people. If this idea gets a lot of support, it can turn into a law that everyone must follow. This is different from a private bill, which would only change things for a specific person or group. Simply put, a public bill has the potential ... »
Definition of Private Bill A Private Bill in the U.S. is a type of law that Congress can make to sort out a very certain issue for one person, a group of people, or a business that the usual laws can’t fix. Think of it as a special helper for tough problems. A Private Bill is like a superhero for someone in a unique bind, swooping in to save the day. These bills aren’t common and can b... »
Definition of Partisan Think of the word “partisan” as someone being a super fan of a particular political team. Just like sports fans who wear jerseys and cheer for their favorite team, a partisan person shows unwavering support for a specific political party or person. These folks are kind of like members of a fan club, but for politics. They stick to their favorite team no matter wh... »
What is Mudslinging? Mudslinging might make you think of dirty, wet soil being thrown around, but it’s a term used in politics for a different kind of mess. Imagine someone trying to ruin another person’s reputation by spreading hurtful and often untrue stories about them. That’s what mudslinging is all about. Politicians or their supporters use it as a tool in elections, hoping ... »
Definition of Motion To Table Imagine you’re in a room full of people deciding on rules for a game. Someone suggests a rule you think needs more thought or maybe isn’t a good idea right now. So, you propose to put that rule on the side for a while. That’s like what politicians do in the United States government with a Motion to Table. It’s when lawmakers decide to put a bil... »