Unit 2

17th Amendment

Established that the people of each state directly elect their senators.

advice and consent

The Senate's role to scrutinize Supreme Court appointments.

Baker v. Carr

Supreme Court case where it was alleged that a law to apportion seats was virtually ignored.

bicameral

A legislature consisting of two houses.

bipartisan

Involving members of two major political parties.

cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster requiring a 3/5th supermajority vote.

conference committee

A committee that reconciles differences in bills passed by the House and Senate.

delegate model

A model of representation where elected officials act according to the will of their constituents.

divided government

A situation in which the presidency is held by one party and the other party controls one or both houses of Congress.

filibuster

A prolonged speech that obstructs legislation by delaying a vote.

gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district lines to favor one political party over another.

joint committee

A committee made up of members of both houses to resolve conflicts in legislation.

logrolling

The practice of trading votes to gain support for a bill.

omnibus bill

A single document that packages together several measures into one or combines diverse subjects.

partisan

Relating to a strong allegiance to a political party.

politico model

A model of representation that blends the delegate and trustee models.

pork-belly spending

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

president of the senate

The Vice-President of the US who can break ties in Senate votes.

president pro temp

The member of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice-President.

reapportionment

The process of redistributing seats in the House of Representatives among the states.

redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

revenue bills

Laws proposed to raise money for government through taxes.

select committee

A temporary legislative committee formed to study a specific issue.

senate majority leader

The head of the majority party in the Senate who sets the legislative agenda.

Shaw v. Reno

Supreme Court ruling that race cannot be the sole factor in redistricting.

standing committee

Permanent committees responsible for overseeing specific areas of legislation.

trustee model

A model of representation where elected officials make decisions based on their judgment.

war powers act

A law limiting President's military powers without Congressional approval.

“Lame Duck” President

A president who is nearing the end of their term and is not seeking re-election.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms, or a maximum of eight years.

appointment power of president

The president's authority to appoint government officials.

Article II

Part of the Constitution defining the executive branch's powers.

bully pulpit

The president's ability to influence public opinion.

cabinet

Advisory group consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

constitutional powers

Different types of powers defined in the Constitution.

executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

executive orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

executive privilege

The right of the president to keep certain communications private.

impeachment process

A constitutional mechanism to remove federal officials from office.

inherent powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but necessary for the government to function.

joints chiefs of staff

Senior military leaders who advise the president on military policy.

pocket veto

The president's indirect veto of a bill by not signing it within ten days.

senate confirmation

The Senate's process of approving or rejecting presidential appointments.

senatorial courtesy

An unwritten tradition in the Senate allowing senators to block appointments.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech by the president to provide an update on the nation's status.

term and requirements of the president

The president must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a resident for 14 years.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

White House Staff

The president's closest aides who manage the executive branch's operations.

agencies

Sub-units in federal departments that handle specific functions.

appropriations

Laws passed to allocate funds for government spending.

bureaucracy

The structured network of agencies and employees in the government.

cabinet secretaries

Leaders of the Cabinet departments who advise the president.

commissions

Independent organizations established to regulate or oversee specific governmental functions.

compliance monitoring

Oversight to ensure laws are enforced as written.

congressional oversight

Congress's power to review and investigate actions of the executive branch.

delegated discretionary authority

The ability given to agencies to interpret laws and create regulations.

department

The largest units of the executive branch the government is divided into.

government corporations

Agencies that operate like businesses and provide public services.

independent regulatory agencies

Agencies whose members serve fixed terms and are independent of presidential control.

iron triangles/issue networks

The relationship among federal agencies, Congress, and interest groups that help enforce public policy.

legislative veto

Congress's attempt to overturn decisions made by the executive branch without passing new legislation.

merit system

The hiring and promotion of government employees based on ability, skills, and qualifications.

Office of Information & Regulatory Affairs

Agency overseeing regulatory reform and merit-based systems in hiring.

patronage

The practice of giving government jobs to party loyalists.

Pendleton Service Act

Reformed federal appointments to make them merit-based rather than patronage-based.

power of the purse

Congress's authority to control public spending.

role of the bureaucracy

Administers and enforces federal laws.

rule-making process

How federal agencies create regulations to implement laws.

spoils system

The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters.

Whistle Blower Protection Act

Laws that protect employees who report wrongdoing in the federal government.

amicus curia brief

A document offering information, expertise, or arguments to influence a court's decision.

appellate jurisdiction

The power of a higher court to review decisions made by lower courts.

attorney general

The head of the Department of Justice and chief legal officer of the government.

binding precedent

A decision made by a higher court that must be followed by lower courts.

borked

The process of preventing a nominee's confirmation through opposition research.

certiorari

The Supreme Court's decision to hear a case on appeal.

concurring opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority but offers additional reasoning.

dissenting opinion

A disagreement with the majority opinion in a court ruling.

judicial activism

Judicial rulings that are suspected of being based on personal or political considerations.

judicial restraint

The principle that courts should hesitate to strike down laws unless they are obviously unconstitutional.

judicial review

The ability of the courts to examine and invalidate laws or executive actions.

liberal constructionists

Interpreters of the Constitution who advocate for a broad interpretation regarding modern circumstances.

majority opinion

The legal opinion agreed upon by more than half of the members of a court.

Marbury vs. Madison

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to invalidate laws.

nuclear option

A method allowing the Senate to override a filibuster with a simple majority.

original jurisdiction

The authority to hear a case for the first time.

persuasive precedent

Past decisions from other jurisdictions that can influence a court's decision.

precedent

A previous case or legal decision that influences future similar cases.

rule of four

The principle that four justices must agree to grant a writ of certiorari.

senatorial courtesy

The tradition where senators from a nominee's home state must approve judicial appointments.

standing

Legal status to bring a lawsuit; must prove sufficient stake in the outcome.

stare decisis

The doctrine that courts should follow precedents set in previous cases.

strict constructionists

Those who interpret the Constitution literally and restrictively.