AP gov Unit 2 terms

Incumbents

Current officeholders who are seeking re-election.

Casework

Assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents in solving problems with government services.

Pork barrel

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

Bicameral

A legislative body that has two chambers or houses.

Rule committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate on a bill.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by extending debate.

Cloture

A procedure used to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring a supermajority vote.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for maintaining order and managing legislative business.

Whip

A party member in Congress responsible for ensuring party discipline and mobilizing votes.

Standing committee

A permanent committee in Congress that deals with specific policy areas.

Joint committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate.

Conference committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill.

Legislative oversight

The process by which Congress monitors the executive branch and its agencies to ensure compliance with laws.

Seniority system

A practice in Congress where the member with the longest tenure in a committee is given preference in leadership roles.

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party to discuss policy or select candidates.

Bill

A proposed piece of legislation that must be approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the president to become law.

22nd amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits the president to two terms in office.

25th amendment

An amendment that outlines the procedures for presidential succession and disability.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body charges a government official with misconduct.

Executive orders

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

Cabinet

A group of the president's top advisors, typically the heads of the executive departments.

National Security Council

A group that advises the president on national security and foreign policy matters.

Council of Economic Advisors

A group that advises the president on economic policy and provides analysis of economic trends.

OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

A division of the Executive Office of the President that assists in the preparation of the federal budget.

Veto

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

A special type of veto that occurs when the president does not sign a bill within 10 days and Congress adjourns.

War Powers Resolution

A law that limits the president's ability to engage U.S. forces in hostilities without congressional approval.

Bureaucracies

Administrative systems governing any large institution, characterized by hierarchical structure and standardized procedures.

Patronage

The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

A law that established a merit-based system for federal employment and reduced patronage.

Merit principle

The idea that government jobs should be awarded based on ability and qualifications rather than political connections.

Hatch Act

A federal law that restricts political activities of federal employees to ensure nonpartisan government.

Office of Personnel Management

The agency responsible for managing the federal government's civilian workforce.

Independent regulatory agency

An agency created by Congress that operates independently of the executive branch to regulate specific areas.

Government corporations

Government agencies that operate like private businesses, providing services and charging for them.

Independent executive agency

An agency that is not part of a cabinet department and operates independently.

Policy implementation

The process of putting a law or policy into effect.

Standard operating procedures (red tape)

Established procedures and rules that bureaucracies follow, often criticized for being overly complex.

Administrative discretion (slippage)

The ability of bureaucrats to make choices in how to implement laws and policies.

Street-level bureaucrat

Public service workers who interact directly with citizens and have considerable discretion in their work.

Regulation

A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority to control conduct.

Deregulation

The reduction or elimination of government rules controlling how businesses can operate.

Command and control policy

A regulatory approach that sets specific limits and requires compliance through enforcement.

Incentive system

A policy that encourages specific behaviors through rewards or penalties.

Iron triangle

The stable, mutually beneficial relationship between a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and interest groups.

Class action suit

A lawsuit filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group.

Amicus curiae brief

A document submitted by a non-party to a case, offering information or arguments for the court's consideration.

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate jurisdiction

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

Senatorial courtesy

A tradition where senators support each other's nominations for federal appointments from their states.

Solicitor general

The attorney who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court.

Stare decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Precedent

A legal decision that serves as an example or rule for future cases.

Originalism

A judicial philosophy that interprets the Constitution based on its original meaning at the time it was enacted.

Judicial review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial restraint

A philosophy that courts should defer to the decisions of the elected branches of government.

Judicial activism

A philosophy that courts should take an active role in ensuring justice and protecting individual rights.