american national government — final

what does the twenty-fifth amendment clarify?

it establishes the procedures for filling a vacancy in the office of the vice president

how did the twelfth amendment change the electoral college?

it required electors to cast separate ballots for president and vice president

who has the constitutional power to declare war?

while the president is commander-in-chief, the power to declare war belongs to congress

how many presidential impeachments have resulted in a conviction?

none

what was the significance of u.s. v. nixon?

this supreme court case ruled that "executive privilege" is not absolute, especially in criminal investigations

what are some of the president's formal constitutional powers?

the power to sign or veto legislation, command the armed forces, and grant pardons

what is included in the president's diplomatic powers?

the power to negotiate treaties (with senate approval) and receive ambassadors from other nations

what is the minimum age requirement to be president?

at least 35 years

what is a pocket veto?

when a president fails to sign a bill while congress is adjourned, effectively killing the bill

how does the impeachment process work?

the house of pepresentatives brings the charges (impeachment), and the senate conducts the trial

what was the purpose of the civil service commission?

created to oversee the merit system and move away from partisan hiring

what is the "merit" principle in the civil service?

the idea that hiring and promotion should be based on ability and qualifications rather than political connections

what defines the mission of an agency?

the specific objective or set of goals an agency is tasked with carrying out by law

who is considered a political appointee?

officials appointed to high-level positions by the president, and often to lead bureaucratic agencies

what is the spoils system?

a practice where political winners reward their supporters with government jobs regardless of experience

what does the hatch act of 1939 prohibit?

it limits federal employees from engaging in certain partisan political activities while on the job

how does the civil service protect the government from partisanship?

by ensuring employees are hired based on merit, it maintains a stable and professional workforce across different administrations

why is expertise important in the bureaucracy?

bureaucrats are often experts in their fields, allowing them to handle the technical details of implementing complex policies

what is the freedom of information act (foia)?

a law that gives citizens the right to access information from the federal government

what is senatorial courtesy?

a tradition where the president consults senior senators from a state before nominating a federal judge for that state

how are federal judges and justices selected?

they are nominated by the president and must be confirmed by the senate

what is an amicus curiae brief?

a "friend of the court" brief filed by an interested party who is not directly involved in the lawsuit

what happens in federal district courts?

the trial courts where federal cases begin and where evidence and testimony are presented

what is a legal precedent?

a court decision that serves as an authority for deciding similar future cases

what is judicial review?

the power of the courts to determine if a law or government action is consistent with the constitution

which case established judicial review?

marbury v. madison

what is the focus of an appellate review?

it focuses on whether the law was applied correctly in a lower court rather than re-examining the facts of the case

what is the extent of state court power?

the authority to hear cases involving state laws and state constitutional issues

what is the primary goal of the affordable care act (aca)?

to expand health insurance coverage and make healthcare more affordable

what is fiscal policy?

the government's use of taxing and spending to influence the national economy

what is the role of the federal reserve board?

the nation's central bank and manages monetary policy, including interest rates

what defines an entitlement program?

government program that guarantees benefits to anyone who meets specific eligibility requirements, like age or income

what is domestic policy?

the set of government plans and actions that address issues within the united states' borders

how is social security funding generated?

it is primarily funded through payroll taxes collected from workers and employers

what is isolationism?

a foreign policy approach that advocates for avoiding international alliances and conflicts

what was the cold war?

a period of intense diplomatic and economic rivalry between the u.s. and the soviet union following world war ii

what does it mean to remand a case?

when a higher court sends a case back to the lower court for further action