SS202 WPR 2

Logrolling

The practice of lawmakers exchanging favors, such as voting for each other’s bills.

Earmarks

Specific funds provided by Congress for particular projects, often benefiting a legislator’s district.

Seniority

The status given to members of Congress based on the length of their service, often influencing leadership and committee positions.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, and the most powerful leader in the chamber.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in a legislative chamber, responsible for managing the party’s agenda.

Whip System

Party leaders who work to gather votes and ensure party discipline among members.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in a legislative chamber, representing the opposition and coordinating the party's strategy.

Committee System

A system in Congress where legislation is reviewed and shaped by smaller groups specializing in specific areas.

Distributive Theory

The idea that Congress tends to distribute resources to meet the needs of individual members’ districts.

Informational Theory

The concept that committees are used to gather expertise and make more informed legislative decisions.

Veto

The president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Omnibus Legislation

Large bills that combine many measures into one package, often to secure enough votes for passage.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Reconciliation

A legislative process that allows certain budget-related bills to pass with a simple majority in the Senate, bypassing a filibuster.

Positive Agenda-Setting Powers

The ability of party leaders to bring issues or bills to the legislative agenda for discussion or voting.

Negative Agenda-Setting Powers

The power to block or prevent certain issues or bills from reaching the legislative floor.

Bill

Proposed legislation introduced in Congress.

Legislation

Laws passed by Congress and signed by the President.

Markup

Committee process of amending and revising a bill.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President to implement policy.

Bureaucracy

Executive branch agencies that enforce laws and regulations.

Civil Servants

Permanent government employees.

Political Appointees

Presidential appointees to senior government positions.

Regulation

Rules issued by agencies to enforce laws.

Notice-and-Comment Procedure

Public feedback process before finalizing regulations.

Judicial Review

Supreme Court’s power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Constitutional Interpretation

Determining a law’s alignment with the Constitution.

Statutory Interpretation

Clarifying ambiguous statutory language.

Bicameralism

Two-chambered legislature (House and Senate).

Permanent Campaign

Ongoing reelection efforts due to short election cycles.

Descriptive & Substantive Representation

Reflecting constituents' demographics vs. advocating their interests.

Trustee

Voting based on personal judgment and national interest.

Delegate

Voting strictly according to constituents’ preferences.

Electoral Connection

The idea that reelection drives legislative behavior.

Advertising, Credit Claiming, Position Taking

Strategies to maintain visibility and support.

Incumbency Advantage

Benefits incumbents enjoy, leading to high reelection rates.

Constituency Service

Assisting constituents with federal agencies or programs.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries after the Census.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

Gridlock

Legislative inaction due to partisan conflict.

Constitutional Authority

Powers directly granted by the Constitution (e.g., veto, commander in chief).

Statutory Authority

Powers granted by Congress through legislation.

Vesting Clause

Grants executive power to the president (Article II, Section 1).

War Powers Resolution

Limits presidential war-making powers without Congressional approval.

Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF)

Congressional authorization for military action without a formal declaration of war.

State of the Union

Presidential address recommending legislative priorities.

Executive Privilege

The president’s right to withhold information from Congress or the courts.

Persuasion

Neustadt’s theory that presidential power is largely the power to persuade.

Separated Institutions Sharing Powers

Concept that each branch of government has separate powers but must work together.

Unilateral Action

When a president takes action without the approval or cooperation of Congress (e.g., executive orders).

Unitary Executive Theory

A theory that argues the president has broad and centralized control over the entire executive branch, with limited checks from Congress or the courts.

Executive Orders

Official directives from the president that have the force of law, used to manage operations within the federal government.

Executive Agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval, often used in place of a formal treaty.

Going Public

A strategy where the president appeals directly to the public to gain support for policies, hoping to pressure Congress into action.

Civil Servants

Government employees hired based on merit, not political affiliation, who perform the day-to-day work of the bureaucracy.

Political Appointees

Individuals appointed by the president (often with Senate confirmation) to top-level government positions, usually serving at the president’s discretion.

Regulation

Rules or directives made and enforced by government agencies to control or guide behavior in specific areas (e.g., environment, economy).

State Capacity

The ability of a government to administer its territory effectively, enforce laws, and implement policies.

Principal-Agent Game

A model describing how elected officials (principals) delegate tasks to bureaucrats (agents), who may have different goals, creating a need for oversight.

Regulatory Capture

A situation where regulatory agencies are dominated by the industries they are supposed to regulate, leading to biased decision-making.

Federal Civil Service

The permanent, professional branches of government administration, where employees are hired based on merit through exams and qualifications.

Independent Agencies

Government bodies that exist outside of the executive departments and have more autonomy, often to limit political influence (e.g., the Federal Reserve).

Bureaucratic Drift

When bureaucratic agencies implement policy in a way that deviates from the original intent of lawmakers or executives.

Police Patrol Oversight

A proactive, routine form of congressional monitoring of bureaucratic agencies to ensure compliance with the law.

Fire Alarm Oversight

A reactive form of oversight where Congress responds to complaints or problems raised by citizens or interest groups, rather than actively monitoring.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A group of agencies and offices that support the president’s policy agenda and administrative duties (e.g., Office of Management and Budget).

Original Jurisdiction

Authority to hear cases for the first time.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the structure of the federal court system.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review.

Judicial Review

Power to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.

Precedent (Stare Decisis)

Legal principle of following previous court decisions.

Writ of Certiorari

Request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court decision.

Amicus Curiae Briefs

'Friend of the court' briefs offering additional perspectives.

Selective Incorporation

The process by which the Supreme Court has applied the Bill of Rights to the states through the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Original Intent

An interpretive philosophy focusing on the intentions of the Constitution's framers.

Living Constitution

An interpretive philosophy suggesting that the Constitution evolves with societal changes.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy advocating minimal judicial interference with the legislative and executive branches.

Judicial Activism

A philosophy encouraging judges to broadly interpret the Constitution to address societal issues.

Substantive Due Process Doctrine

A principle allowing the Court to protect fundamental rights not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Strategy on the Court

Justices' strategic considerations, including political backlash and compliance with rulings.

Majority Opinion

Reflects the views of the majority of justices.

Concurring Opinion

Agrees with the outcome but differs on reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

Disagrees with the majority's decision.