(13) AP Government UNIT 2 REVIEW [Everything You Need to Know!]

Bicameral

Refers to a legislative body having two chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution that outline the specific authorities of Congress.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but assumed to exist due to their necessity in executing enumerated powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the elastic clause, it allows Congress to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, typically a member of the majority party.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislative action, often by prolonged speech.

Pocket Veto

A special type of veto occurring when the president takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned, effectively killing the bill.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

Iron Triangle

The relationship among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that work together to develop policies.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage.

Judicial Activism

The philosophy that the court should take an active role in policy-making and consider broader societal implications.

Judicial Restraint

The belief that judges should limit their own power by not making policy and should defer to the legislature.

Trustee Model

A model of representation where elected officials believe they are entrusted to act according to their own judgment.

Delegate Model

A model of representation where elected officials feel they must act according to the wishes of their constituents.

Politico Model

A blend of the trustee and delegate models where an official may act as a trustee on some issues and as a delegate on others.

Mandatory Spending

Expenditures required by law, primarily for entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that is not mandated by law and can be adjusted through the regular budget process.

State of the Union Address

An annual speech delivered by the president to Congress outlining the legislative agenda and priorities.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Signing Statement

A written declaration issued by the president when signing a bill into law, outlining how they interpret the law.

Department of Homeland Security

The executive department responsible for protecting the U.S. from terrorist attacks and managing border security.

Department of Transportation

The executive department responsible for overseeing federal transportation policies and programs.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The executive department responsible for providing services and support to military veterans.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark case that established the principle of judicial review in the U.S. legal system.

Federalism

The division of power between the national and state governments in the United States.

Political Polarization

The increasing ideological divide between the two major political parties in the U.S.

Coalition

A group formed by individuals or parties who come together to achieve a common goal.

Legislative Process

The series of steps through which a proposed law must pass before it can become law.

Confirmation Hearing

A Senate hearing to confirm presidential appointments, especially for cabinet members and judges.

Census

A population count conducted every ten years that affects congressional representation and district drawing.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

An 1883 law that established a merit system for federal employment, reducing patronage.

Civil Service Reform Act

A series of laws aimed at improving the public service and making the bureaucracy more professional.

Compliance Monitoring

The process of ensuring that entities are adhering to rules and regulations established by authorities.