Government Departments and Legislative Processes

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to government departments, legislative processes, and political concepts essential for understanding U.S. government structure and functioning.

Department of Defense

The cabinet department that has the most employees and is responsible for national defense.

Attorney General

The head of the Department of Justice, which is the only department that does not have a 'Secretary of…'.

Order of Presidential Succession

The established order of officials who are to succeed the President in case of vacancy: VP, Speaker, Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury.

OMB (Office of Management and Budget)

An agency that advises the President on the budget.

CBO (Congressional Budget Office)

An agency that advises Congress on the budget.

Fiscal Policy

Economic policy related to taxing, spending, and borrowing, controlled by Congress.

Monetary Policy

Economic policy that involves setting interest rates to control inflation, handled by the Federal Reserve Board.

Pendleton Act

Legislation requiring government workers to be hired based on merit instead of patronage.

Hatch Act

Legislation prohibiting active partisan behavior by government employees.

Entitlements

Mandatory expenditures such as Social Security and Medicare that are required by law.

Logrolling

A practice in which legislators vote for each other's bills in exchange for votes.

House Rules Committee

A committee that determines the rules for debate on bills in the House.

Cloture

A procedure used to limit debate in the Senate, requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster.

Filibuster

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

Pocket Veto

A bill becomes dead if the President does nothing for ten days and Congress ends their session.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to mail for free, providing an advantage to incumbents.

Casework

Assistance provided by congressional members to constituents, contributing to incumbent advantage.

Impeachment

The process by which the House may accuse federal officials, while the Senate holds the trial.

GAO (Government Accountability Office)

An agency that audits government agencies to ensure accountability in spending and operations.