Chapter 20.2
Congressional Actions: How Congress Shapes American Government
Discover the powerful tools Congress uses to make laws, oversee the executive branch, and protect the constitutional balance of power.
What You'll Learn
Congress uses oversight, subpoenas, and hearings for executive accountability.
Impeachment requires House majority and Senate two-thirds conviction vote.
The power of the purse gives Congress control over federal spending.
Key terms include filibuster, cloture, markup, and veto override.
What You'll Practice
1
Students analyze congressional oversight powers and executive branch accountability.
2
Practice questions cover impeachment, veto override, and treaty ratification.
3
Learners define key terms like filibuster, cloture, and pocket veto.
Why This Matters
Understanding congressional actions empowers students to analyze how laws are made, how power is checked, and how democratic government functions in the United States.
This Unit Includes
Practice exercises
Learning resources
Skills
Oversight
Impeachment
Veto Override
Appropriations
Filibuster
NC Curriculum Aligned
