Clemency: An act of leniency, to show mercy or to lessen punishment.

House minority leader: A representative elected by his party colleagues to serve as the leader and spokesperson for the party currently in the minority in the House of Representatives.

Impeachment: A legislative proceeding charging a public official with misconduct. Impeachment consists of the formal accusation of such an official and the trial that follows. It does not refer to removal from office of the accused.

Indictment: An official charge of having committed a crime.

Inflation: A period of time when money loses some of its value, usually because goods become more expensive.

Midterm elections: Congressional elections that occur halfway through a president's four-year term are called midterm elections. Representatives are elected every two years and senators every six years.

Pardon: A power that allows the president to free an individual or a...