U2 Vocabulary

Cloture

Senate motion to end a filibuster that requires a 3/5 vote

Discharge Petition

a motion to force a bill to the House floor that has been bottled up in a Committee

Filibuster

nonstop Senate debate that prevents a bill from coming to a vote

Franking privilege

allows member of Congress to send mail postage free

Gerrymandering

redrawing district lines to favor one party at the expense of the other

Logrolling

when two members of Congress agree to vote for each other's bill

Pocket Veto

presidential killing of a bill by inaction after Congress adjourns

Reapportionment

reallocation of House seats to the states on the basis of changes in state populations, as determined by the census

Redistricting

redrawing of congressional district boundaries by the party in power of the state legislature

Standing Committees

the permanent congressional committees that handle legislation

Ways and Means Committee

House committee that handles tax bills

Bureaucracy

departments, agencies, bureaus, and commissions in the executive branch of government

constituents/constituency

the people who are represented by elected officials

Executive Agreement

an agreement between the President and another head of state that, unlike a treaty, does not require Senate consent

Executive Order

presidential rule or regulation that has the force of law

Impoundment

refusal of a president to spend money that has been appropriated by Congress

Iron Triangle

an informal association of federal agency, congressional committee, and interest group that is said to have heavy influence over policy making

Oversight

the effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies

Line item veto

power of most govenors (and President Clinton for only a few years) to delete a bill on a line by line basis

War Powers Act (1973)

President could send troops overseas to an area where the hostilities were imminent only if:
*He notified Congress within 48 hours *He withdrew troops within 60-90 days *He consulted with Congress if troops were to engage in combat. Congress can pass resolution to have troops withdrawn at any time.

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Discretionary Spending

spending category about which government planners can make choices

Mandatory Spending

spending on certain programs that is mandated, or required, by existing law

Entitlement spending

spending that Congress has authorized by prior law, primarily providing support for individuals

Budget deficit

the difference between tax revenue and government spending when government spending exceeds tax revenue

Pork-barrel legislation

Legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary of unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection

Divided government

Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

"lame duck" president

president with no real power because his or her period in office will soon end

Trustee model

a model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions

Delegate Model

The view that an elected represent should represent the opinions of his or her constituents.

Politico Model

Legislators should follow their own judgment (that is, act like a trustee) until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, at which point they should follow the dictates of constituents

Emergency powers

Wide-ranging powers a president may exercise during times of crisis or those powers permitted the president by Congress for a limited time.

Stare decisis

A Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle.

Judicial activism

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.

Judicial restraint

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say.

Precedent

an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances.