# data[].attributes.body
The U.S. Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It holds the power to make laws, declare war, and oversee the executive and judicial branches.

# data[].attributes.body
The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of Congress, where the number of representatives is based on state population. It has 435 members, who serve two-year terms, and is responsible for initiating revenue-related bills.

# data[].attributes.body
The President Pro Tempore is a senior member of the majority party in the Senate, who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. This position is largely ceremonial but signifies high seniority.

# data[].attributes.body
The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the House of Representatives and is elected by the House members. This individual controls legislative procedures and is second in the line of presidential succession.

# data[].attributes.body
The U.S. Census is conducted every 10 years to count the population, which is used to apportion seats in the House of Representatives. The 2020 Census resulted in shifts in representation based on state population changes.

# data[].attributes.body
Reapportionment is the process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes identified by the Census. States like New York have lost seats, while states like Texas have gained seats since 1910.

# data[].attributes.body
Redistricting is the redrawing of electoral district boundaries in response to population changes. States like North Carolina regularly redraw district lines to ensure equal representation, with significant changes after each Census.

# data[].attributes.body
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another. It often results in oddly shaped districts, like the infamous "gerrymandering dragon" seen in some U.S. states.

# data[].attributes.body
Legislation refers to the laws proposed or enacted by a government body. The North Carolina General Assembly is the state's legislative body, with both the House of Representatives and the Senate making state laws.

# data[].attributes.body
Reserved powers are those that the Constitution does not delegate to the federal government, thus are left to the states. An example is a state's power to regulate education or manage local police forces.

# data[].attributes.body
Delegated powers are explicitly granted to the federal government by the Constitution, such as the power to coin money, regulate interstate commerce, and declare war.

# data[].attributes.body
Implied powers are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are derived from the necessary and proper clause, allowing Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.

# data[].attributes.body
A bill is a proposed law that must pass through both houses of Congress and be signed by the president to become law. The famous "Schoolhouse Rock" video explains how a bill becomes law.

# data[].attributes.body
A veto is the president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless Congress overrides the veto with a two-thirds majority in both houses.

# data[].attributes.body
A pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill within 10 days, and Congress adjourns during that period, preventing the bill from becoming law.

# data[].attributes.body
A filibuster is a tactic used by senators to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate. The record for the longest filibuster is held by Strom Thurmond, who spoke for 24 hours and 18 minutes.

# data[].attributes.body
Cloture is a procedure used to end a filibuster in the Senate by a three-fifths vote. The first use of cloture was in 1919 to end debate on the Treaty of Versailles following World War I.

# data[].attributes.body
A veto override occurs when Congress votes with a two-thirds majority in both chambers to pass a bill despite a presidential veto. President John Tyler's attempt to fund a new ship without congressional approval led to the first override.

# data[].attributes.body
Select committees are temporary legislative committees set up for a specific purpose, such as investigating government actions or specific events.

# data[].attributes.body
Select committees are temporary legislative committees set up for a specific purpose, such as investigating government actions or specific events.

# data[].attributes.body
Joint committees consist of members from both the House and the Senate and are formed to address specific issues, often related to policy or investigations.

# data[].attributes.body
Pigeonholing refers to the process by which a committee ignores a bill, effectively killing it without a vote.

# data[].attributes.body
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state’s legislative body, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, where laws are made for the state of North Carolina.

# data[].attributes.body
The Mecklenburg County Commission is the governing body of Mecklenburg County, responsible for overseeing local ordinances and budgets.

# data[].attributes.body
The Charlotte City Council is the elected governing body of the city of Charlotte, responsible for passing city laws and managing local services.