AP U.S. Government: Key Concepts and Court Cases

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Caucus

A local meeting run by political parties to choose delegates for the national convention.

Coalitions

Temporary alliances of people, interest groups, or political parties who join together to achieve a common goal.

Enumerated Powers

Powers that the Constitution specifically lists and gives to the federal government.

Implied Powers

Powers not directly stated in the Constitution but understood as necessary to carry out the government's listed (enumerated) powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

A part of the Constitution that allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers; also called the 'Elastic Clause.'

Power of the Purse

Congress's authority to raise and spend money, giving it control over government funding.

War Powers Act

A law that limits the president's ability to send troops into combat without Congress's approval.

Cloture Rule

A Senate rule that ends a filibuster by limiting debate, usually requiring 60 votes.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure where all members act as one large committee to speed up debate and voting.

Deficit

When the government spends more money than it collects in a year.

Discharge Petition

A way for House members to force a bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for a vote.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that Congress chooses each year, like funding for education or defense.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator delays a vote by speaking for a long time or blocking action.

Logrolling

When lawmakers trade votes to help each other pass their preferred bills.

Mandatory Spending

Required government spending that must happen by law, such as Social Security or Medicare.

Omnibus Bill

A large bill that combines many smaller bills into one massive package.

Pork-Barrel Spending

Government funding for local projects meant to benefit a representative's district, often to gain political support.

Unanimous Consent

When all senators agree to skip formal procedures to speed up the process.

Ways and Means Committee

A powerful House committee that handles taxes, revenue, and Social Security.

Whip

A party leader who counts votes, encourages party members to vote together, and keeps track of support for bills.

Baker v. Carr

A 1962 Supreme Court case that said federal courts can review redistricting issues; it established the principle of 'one person, one vote.'

Delegate Model

A model of representation where elected officials vote the way their constituents want, even if they personally disagree.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing voting district lines to favor one political party or group.

Gridlock

When government can't pass laws because political parties or branches of government are stuck in conflict.

'Lame Duck' President

A president who is still in office after losing reelection or nearing the end of their final term, with reduced influence.

Swing District

A district where voters are closely divided, so either political party has a good chance of winning.

Trustee Model

A model of representation where elected officials use their own judgment to make decisions, even if voters might disagree.