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Federal bureaucracy
The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation
Bureaucrat
An official employed within a government bureaucracy
Political patronage
Filling of administrative positions as a reward for support, rather than solely on merit
Federal civil service
The merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments
Merit system
A system of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections
Iron triangle
Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals
Issue network
Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates
Implementation
The bureaucracy's role in putting into action the laws that Congress has passed
Bureaucratic discretion
The power to decide how a law is implemented and, what Congress meant when it passed the law
Regulation
The process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules that have the force of law, to carry out the laws passed by Congress
Bureaucratic adjudication
When the federal bureaucracy settles disputes between parties that arise over the implementation of federal laws or determines which individuals or groups are covered under a regulation or program
Judicial Restraint
The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of laws and the Constitution.
Judicial Activism
The view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances
Constitutional Courts
Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office for life during good behavior
District Courts
The lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases.
Courts of Appeals
Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. They review each case for possible errors.
Supreme Court
The highest court in the United States, made up of nine justices
Legislative Courts
Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as US Tax Court
Litmus Test
a consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional
Writ of certiorari
an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review
Marbury V. Madison
Landmark Supreme Court case that established the court’s power of judicial review
Plaintiff
the party that initiates a lawsuit
Standing
a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit
Precedent
the principle set by the court in one case that will be used as the basis for deciding future cases
Class-action suit
a case brought by an individual that will impact that person and all others similarly situated
Original Juridiction
the authority of a court to hear a case first
Appellate Jurisdiction
the authority of a court to hear a case brought to them on appeal from a lower court
Brief
a written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it.
Amicus curiae brief
a brief submitted by a “friend of the court” to provide the court with additional information on a case
Opinion of the Court/Majority
the judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half of the members of the court that explains the reasoning of the court’s decision
Concurring opinion
a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view, but for different reasons
Dissenting opinion
a signed opinion that features the perspective of the justices who disagreed with the majority opinion
Stare decisis
“Let the decision stand” or allowing prior rulings to determine the court’s stand on a current case
Senatorial Courtesy
unwritten custom that the senate will not approve a judicial nomination if opposed by a senator from the state in which the nominee is to serve
Rule of Four
In order for a case to be granted certiorari, four justices must agree that the case is worthy to be heard
Amendment
a new addition to the constitution that has been proposed by congress and ratified by the states
Gridlock
the inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action
Formal Power
authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the constitution
Informal Power
authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the constitution
Executive Order
a directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of congress
Executive Agreement
a pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president’s term
Treaty
A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.
Cabinet
The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.
Bully pulpit
The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.
State of the Union
An annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda.
Executive Privilege
the president’s ability to keep certain communications private. United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations
22nd Amendment
This provision of the Constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.
25th Amendment
This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.
veto
The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress
Pocket veto
When a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned
Line-item Veto
The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can.
Signing statement
Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.
impeachment
The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.
pardon
Official forgiveness of a crime
lame duck
An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit
congressional oversight
The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch
bureaucracy
A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.
Executive Office of the President
The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.
White House Staff
Personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.
Executive Departments
15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary.
Independent Regulatory Commissions
Agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress or the President.
Government Corporations
A government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.
Office of Management and Budget
this part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.
Civil service
The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit
Merit system
Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.
Pendleton Act
The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service.
Iron triangle
a mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
Issue Network
A link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue.
Appropriation
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
Regulation
The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector.