Government Unit 2 Vocab

Article 1

Defines & establishes the legislative branch of the federal government —> congress/lawmaking

Bicameral

A legislature divided into two separate chambers, houses, or assemblies such as the House Representatives & the Senate

Congressional Committee

A smaller group of members of the U.S congress who work together to review bills, investigate issues, & oversee government agencies

Filibuster

A political tactic used in the U.S Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate indefinitely

Rules of Committee

A group of lawmakers in Congress who set ground rules for how a bill will be debated & voted on by the full house

House of Representatives

It originates all revenue bills

Senate

Ratifying international treaties

Gerrymandering

When politicians redraw the boundaries of voting districts to give their own political party an unfair advantage in elections

Reapportionment

The process of dividing up the 435 seats in the U.S House of Representatives among the 50 states based on their population

Redistricting

The process of redrawing the boundaries of voting districts to make sure each district has roughly the same number of people

Safe Seat

An electoral district - like a Congressional or legislative district - that is virtually guaranteed to be won by a specific political party

Partisanship

The strong, fierce loyalty to one specific political party over all others

“Trustee” role

A model of political representation where an elected official votes based on their own judgement, conscience, & expertise

“Delegate” role

A model of political representation where an elected official votes exactly how the majority of their voters want them too, setting aside their own opinions

“Politico” role

A model of political representation where an elected official blends the delegate & trustee role

Fed 70 (concepts)

Alexander Hamiliton argues that a single, energetic, united executive is essential for effective & protective republican government

Formal Presidential Powers

The specific authority & responsibilities expressly granted to the president of the U.S by article II of the U.S constitution

Informal Presidential Powers

An authority or tool of influence not explicitly written down in article II of the U.S constitution

Veto

used for providing a check on congressional power

Pocket Veto

An automatic veto that happens when a president does nothing with a bill while congress is away

Executive Order

An official command issued by the president to the federal administration that carries the same power as a regular law without needing approval from congress

State of the Union Address

An annual speech given by the president to a joint session of congress

Bully Pulpit

The president’s ability to use the visibility of the office to shape public opinion

Fed 78 (concepts)

Alexander Hamilton notes the Judiciary branch has no control over the military or state wealth, arguing it is the “least dangerous” branch

Judicial Review

The power of courts to examine actions by the legislative & executive branches of government & declare them null & void if they violate the constitution

Marbury V. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review in 1803 in the Supreme Court

Precedent

When a judge makes a decision about a case, other judges will look back at that decision to help them solve similar cases in the future

Judicial Activism

When judges use their power to change laws or create social policy, rather than just interpreting the law as it is written

Judicial Restraint

When judges limit their own power & avoid striking down laws passed by elected officials

Strict Constructionism

A way of interpreting the constitution that focuses on the exact text & its literal meaning

Loose Contructionism

A way of interpreting the constitution that allows judges to read between the lines to give the government more flexibility to handle modern problems

Jurisdiction

The legal authority given to a court or government offical to hear a case, make legal decisions, & enforce laws

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of court to hear a case first before any other court

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a higher court to review, change, or offically uphold a decision made by a lower court

Federal Bureaucracy

The large network of unelected workers, offices, and agencies inside the executive branch of the government.

Departments

The 15 primary major administrative units of the federal governments executive branch

Agencies

Specific offices or organizations created to handle one particular job, program, or rule for the country

Regulations

The official, detailed rules created by executive agencies to explain exactly how laws will be carried out and enforced

Iron Triangles

A tight, three-way relationship between lawmakers in Congress, government agencies, and interest groups.

Rule-making

The official process that government agencies use to write, change, or cancel the detailed regulations and rules that enforce federal laws.

Red Tape

Term used to describe the excessive rules, paperwork, and official procedures that slow down government actions.

Department of State

The primary executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for handling the country's foreign policy and international relations

Department of Defense

The primary executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for national security and the U.S. Armed Forces

Department of Justice

The primary executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for enforcing federal laws and administering justice

Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA)

An independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government responsible for protecting human health and the environment

Divided Government

Occurs when different political parties control different branches of government.

Ideological Division

Occurs when government officials hold deeply conflicting political beliefs and values, making it difficult for them to agree on how to run the country.

Gridlock

A situation where the government cannot pass laws or make decisions because opposing political parties refuse to compromise.

Policy Agenda

The list of issues, problems, and laws that government leaders prioritize and plan to address.

Power of the Purse

The ability of a government branch to control public money by deciding how taxes are collected and how federal funds are spent.

Committee Hearings

Official meetings held by a small group of lawmakers to gather information, listen to expert testimony, and investigate specific issues or bills.

Congressional Oversight

The power of the legislative branch to review, monitor, and supervise the executive branch and its federal agencies.

“Advice and Consent” Power

A formal constitutional authority given exclusively to the United States Senate to approve or reject the President's key appointments and international treaties.

Political Polarization

The growing ideological gap and deep division between opposing political parties.

Bipartisanship

A situation in government where two opposing political parties find common ground, cooperate, and work together to pass laws.

Census

An official, complete count of a population conducted by a government at regular intervals.