Unit 4 AP Gov

Bicameral

2 house legislative

Advice and Consent

Senate's power to approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Cloture Rule

A vote (60 senators) to end a filibuster and move to a vote.

Filibuster

A tactic used by Senators to delay or block a vote by speaking indefinitely.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one party or group over another.

Logrolling

I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine"; legislators trading votes.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funding for local projects tacked onto bills to please constituents.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that must be approved annually (e.g., defense, education).

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

Trustee Model

Reps vote based on their own judgment/conscience.

Delegate Model

Reps vote exactly how their constituents want.

Politico Model

A mix of Trustee and Delegate depending on the issue.

Discharge Petition

A House move to force a bill out of committee to the floor.

Confernece Committee

A joint committee to iron out differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Standing Committee

Permanent subject-matter committees (e.g., Agriculture).

Rules Committee

(House only) Sets the terms for debate (time limits, amendments).

Executive Order

A presidential directive that has the force of law without Congress.

Executive Agreement

An international agreement (like a treaty) that doesn't need Senate approval.

Executive Privilege

The right to keep internal executive communications confidential.

Bully Pulpit

Using the prestige of the presidency to advocate for an agenda.

Pocket Veto

Letting a bill die by not signing it when Congress is adjourned.

Lame Duck Period

The time between a new president's election and their inauguration.

Signing Statement

A written comment issued by the President upon signing a bill, explaining how they intend to interpret/enforce it.

War Powers Act

A law intended to check the president's power to commit the U.S. to armed conflict without Congressional consent.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

Stare Decisis

"Let the decision stand"; the principle of following precedent.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by a higher court to review a lower court's case.

Rule of Four

Four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case.

Amicus Curiae Brief

"Friend of the court"; a brief filed by an outside group to influence the court's decision.

Originial Jurisdiction

The power to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power to review a lower court's decision.

Iron Triangle

• The three-way relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Issue Networks

Complex groups (including media and academics) that debate policy.

Discretionary Authority

The power of bureaucrats to decide how to implement laws.

Merit System

Hiring government employees based on ability/exams rather than political loyalty (spoils system).

Fed: No.51

Argues for Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers ("Ambition must be made to counteract ambition").

Fed No.70

Argues for a single, energetic executive (one President).

Fed 78

Argues for an independent judiciary and the power of Judicial Review.

Marbury v. Madison

Established Judicial Review.

Baker v Carr

Established "one man, one vote" and the idea that redistricting is a justiciable issue.

Shaw v Reno

Ruled that race cannot be the sole factor in drawing district lines (no "bizarrely shaped" districts)

12th

Separate ballots for President and VP.

20th

Moved inauguration from March to January (shortened the "Lame Duck").

22nd

Two terms

25th

Establishes procedures for presidential disability and succession.