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Chief Legislator

President influences law-making and proposes ideas to Congress

Bully Pulpit

President uses position to influence public opinion and pressure Congress

Chief Diplomat

Directs foreign policy and represents the U.S.

Treaty

Formal agreement between countries requiring Senate approval

Executive Agreement

Agreement with another country that does not need Senate approval

Power of Recognition

President officially accepts foreign governments

Commander in Chief

President is head of the U.S. military

War Powers Act

President reports troop use within 48 hours and may deploy for 60 days without Congress

Chief of State

Represents the U.S. at ceremonial events

Chief Executive

Runs the executive branch and enforces laws

Executive Order

Order from president that has force of law

Chief Magistrate

Handles federal punishment powers

Reprieve

Delays punishment

Commutation

Reduces sentence

Pardon

Forgives crime and removes penalty

Amnesty

Pardon for a group

Quorum

Minimum number of members needed to conduct business

Floor Action

Debate and amendment of bills

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay a vote by talking endlessly

Cloture

Vote to stop a filibuster

Propose a Bill

Any House member or Senator may introduce a bill

Committee Actions

Pass kill amend or pigeonhole a bill

Conference Committee

Resolves differences between House and Senate bills

Bill Becomes Law

President signs or 10 days pass while Congress is in session

Veto

President rejects a bill

Pocket Veto

President does nothing and Congress adjourns

Override Veto

Two thirds vote in both houses

Appointments Check

Senate approves or rejects presidential nominees

Treaty Check

Senate approves treaties by two thirds vote

Agency Control

Congress limits agencies by funding or changing laws

Judicial Review

Power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Marbury v Madison

Case that established judicial review

Selective Incorporation

Bill of Rights applied to states

Fourteenth Amendment

Used to apply rights to states

Majority Opinion

Main ruling of Supreme Court

Concurring Opinion

Agrees with ruling but for different reason

Dissenting Opinion

Disagrees with ruling

Judicial Activism

Broad interpretation of Constitution

Judicial Restraint

Judges avoid overturning laws

Litmus Test

Checking beliefs of judicial nominees

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Friend of the court briefs from outside groups

Law Clerks

Assist justices with research and opinions

Impeachment

Congress removes officials from office

Amendment Process

Two thirds Congress and three fourths states

Court Check by Congress

Congress can change size of Court or rewrite laws

Court Check by President

President appoints justices