politucal science final 2

Pocket Veto

An indirect absolute mechanism used by the president to kill a piece of legislation without affirmatively signing or rejecting it

Gerrymandering

The practice of intentionally manipulating the shape of electoral districts to give one political party or group an unfair advantage

Fillibuster

An attempt to stall or defeat a bill in the Senate by talking for an extended period of time

Whip

A senator or representative who assists the party leader by staying informed about the voting decisions of other members

Minority Leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the minority of seats in the House or the Senate

Majority Leader

The legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or the Senate

Bully Pulpit

The presidents use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public

Lame Duck

An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit

Iron triangle

A manually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Executive order

A directive that carries the weight of a law that is given by the president without the consent of congress

Describe the executive bureaucracy

The vast, unelected administrative network within the executive branch responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing the laws and policies passed by congress.

Criticisms of the executive bureaucracy

Accountability, inefficiency p, and the concentration of unconstitutional lawmaking power

Qualifications for becoming president

• at least 35 years old

• A natural born U.S. citizen

• Resident of the United States for at least 14 years

Consequences of divided government

• increased bias that makes it more difficult for moderators to negotiate compromise

• Slows the legislative process and creates gridlock

• Contributes to the decline of public trust in the government

Presidential powers

• Veto laws

• Sign treaties

• Commander in chief

• Deliver the state of the union address

• Grant pardons and amnesty

• Issue executive orders

• Issue executive agreements

• Use bully pulpit

Vice president powers

• president of the senate

• Tie breaking votes

Stare decisis

“Let the decision stand” or allowing prior ruling to determine the courts stand on a current case

Lemon test

Legal framework used by the courts to determine if a government law or action violates the first amendment

Establishment Clause

First amendment provision that declares the government may not declare a national religion or give preference to one religion

due process clause

14th amendment clause that protects individuals from infringements by the government and has been used to incorporate civil liberties to the states

De jure segregation

Racial segregation by law

De facto segregation

Racial segregation that occurs not as a result of the law, but as a result of residential patterns and customs

Libel

Written expression that is both false and malicious

Slander

Spoken expression that is both false and malicious

How does the court define obscenity

Defined as a narrow category of unprotected sexual expression

Original jurisdiction

A courts power to hear and decide a case for the first time, before any appellate review

Appellate jurisdiction

The legal authority of a higher court to review, amend, or overrule the decisions of a lower court or administrative tribunal

Separate but equal doctrine

Doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson that segregation facilities may be established for different races and still be considered equal

Free speech protections

Shields you from governmental censorship, restriction, and retaliation for spoken, written, or symbolic expression

Plessy V. Ferguson

A landmark United States Supreme Court decision that racial segregation laws did not violate the U.S. Constitution as long as facilities for each race were equal in quantity

Gideon v. Wainwright

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to legal counsel for poor defendants in felony criminal cases

Griswold v. Connecticut

A landmark Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to privacy, ruling that a state cannot prohibit married couples from using contraceptives

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, the power of the judiciary to declare an act of congress unconstitutional

The rule of 4

A Supreme Court practice that dictates that the court will grant a writ of certiorari only if at least four of the nine justices vote to do so

What percentage of cases that are appealed to the supreme courts are granted a petition of review?

Roughly 1% to 2%. Only 80 to 150 out of 7000 to 8000 petitions

Process of a bill becoming a law (house)

1. introduction

2. Standing committee/subcommittee

3. Rules committee

4. Floor debate

5. Vote

Process of a bill becoming a law (Senate)

1. Introduction

2. Standing committee/subcommittee

3. Floor debate

4. Vote