Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)

Abraham Lincoln, by G.P.A. Healy, 1887 – from the White House See also James Madison, Father of the Constitution (1751-1836).     Abraham Lincoln became the United States’ 16th President in 1861, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy in 1863. The son of a Kentucky frontiersman, Lincoln had … Read more

Political Action Committee / PAC / Leadership PAC (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Political Action Committee / PAC / Leadership PAC   PAC-MAN (REMI GAILLARD)   Political Action Committee (PAC): A private group organized to elect or defeat government officials or to promote or defeat legislation. PACs are defined and regulated by state and federal law. A leadership … Read more

President of the United States / State of the Union (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms President of the United States / State of the Union  

“Requiring Individuals to Obtain Health Insurance: A Constitutional Analysis”

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), P.L. 111-148, as amended, Congress enacted a “minimum coverage provision,” which compels certain individuals to have a minimum level of health insurance (i.e., an “individual mandate”). Individuals who fail to do so may be subject to a monetary penalty, administered through the tax code. … Read more

Amending the Constitution (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Amending the Constitution     How to Amend the U.S. Constitution     One of the ways in which federalism is most clearly expressed in the Constitution is in the process for its amendment. Nine of the thirteen original states were required to ratify the … Read more

Reapportionment / Redistricting / Gerrymander (CongressionalGlossary.com)

From the Congressional Glossary – Including Legislative and Budget Terms Reapportionment / Redistricting / Gerrymander photo credit: faul Budget Process: A revision of a previous apportionment of budgetary resources for an appropriation or fund account. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reapportions just as it apportions. Agencies usually submit requests for reapportionment to OMB … Read more

Who is Publius?

  Who is Publius? or, Who’s Afraid of Anonymous Political Speech?   The Federalist, commonly referred to as the Federalist Papers, is a series of 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison between October 1787 and May 1788. The essays were published anonymously, under the pen name “Publius,” in various New … Read more

Necessary and Proper Clause – Article I Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution

The United States Constitution The Necessary and Proper Clause is one of Congress’ enumerated powers found in the Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 8., clause 18: (Clause 18 – Necessary and Proper clause) [The Congress shall have Power] To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution … Read more

Enclave Clause – Article I Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution

The United States Constitution The Enclave Clause is one of Congress’ enumerated powers found in the Constitution of the United States, Article. I. Section. 8., clause 17: (Clause 17 – Enclave clause) [The Congress shall have Power] To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, … Read more