AP GOV VOCCAB UNIT 2

Budget Deficit

A financial situation where the government's expenditures exceed its revenues, leading to borrowing and debt accumulation.

Bully Pulpit

The influential platform the president holds to advocate for policies and engage the public, leveraging media attention to promote specific agendas.

Bureaucracy

A complex system of government agencies and departments responsible for implementing laws, administering public policies, and providing various services.

Impeachment

The formal process by which a legislative body, such as Congress, charges a president or other official with misconduct, potentially leading to removal from office.

Iron Triangles

The stable, influential relationships formed between congressional committees, government agencies, and interest groups that collaborate to create and manipulate policy outcomes.

Lame-Duck President

A sitting president nearing the end of their term, often influencing policies less effectively due to a lack of electoral stakes.

Line-Item Veto

A power that allows a president or governor to reject specific provisions of a spending bill without vetoing the entire bill (currently deemed unconstitutional for the president).

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging votes among lawmakers to gain mutual support for each other's legislative proposals.

Closed Rule

A procedural guideline in the House of Representatives that limits or completely prohibits debate and amendments on a specific bill.

Cloture

A Senate motion to bring a debate to a quick closure, requiring a minimum of 60 votes to overcome a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Commander-in-Chief

The constitutional role of the president as the highest authority over the U.S. armed forces, responsible for military operations and national defense.

Committee Chairperson

A senior member of a congressional committee, typically from the majority party, who leads discussions, sets agendas, and oversees committee activities.

Committee Hearings

Official meetings organized by congressional committees to collect information, question witnesses, and explore topics concerning proposed legislation.

Congressional Committee

A specialized group of lawmakers organized to focus on particular policy issues, such as education, defense, or health.

Congressional Oversight

The legislative power of Congress to monitor and supervise the actions of the executive branch and its agencies to ensure accountability.

Constituents

The citizens and voters residing within the district represented by a lawmaker, whose interests they aim to serve.

Pocket Veto

A strategic action by the president where they ignore a bill, allowing it to die automatically if Congress adjourns within a ten-day period.

Pork (Barrel)

Refers to government spending that targets specific local projects or initiatives to benefit constituents in a lawmaker's district.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional authority granted to Congress to regulate and control federal government spending and taxation.

Quorum

The minimum number of congressional members required to conduct official business and make decisions in legislative sessions.

Earmarks

Provisions in legislation that allocate funds for specific local projects, often used to gain political support.

Entitlements

Government programs that guarantee specific benefits to qualified individuals, including well-known programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Executive Agreement

An international accord made by the president with another country that does not require approval from the Senate, allowing for greater flexibility in foreign relations.

Executive Orders

Presidential directives issued to manage the operations of the federal government, carrying the force of law without the need for congressional approval.

Executive Privilege

The privilege claimed by the president to withhold certain sensitive information from Congress, the courts, and the public to ensure national security or effective functioning of the executive branch.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic wherein a senator employs prolonged debate or speechmaking to obstruct or delay legislative action, often requiring a cloture vote to end.

Rider

An additional provision or amendment attached to a bill that is typically unrelated to the main subject of the legislation.

Signing Statements

Official comments issued by the president at the time of signing a bill into law, expressing interpretations and intended enforcement of the legislation.

Speaker of the House

The elected leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party, responsible for maintaining order, scheduling votes, and overseeing legislative discussions.

Gerrymandering

The practice of altering electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group, thus influencing election outcomes.

Government Corporations

Entities created by Congress to provide goods or services that could be provided by the private sector, characterized by greater operational flexibility (e.g., U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak).

Gridlock

A situation in which opposing parties or factions in government cannot agree on legislation or policy, resulting in stagnation and inaction.

Standing Committee

A permanent congressional committee that addresses specific areas of policy and legislation, with the authority to review bills and recommend actions.

State of the Union

The annual address delivered by the president to a joint session of Congress, outlining the administration's accomplishments, future goals, and proposed legislation.

What is an Iron Triangle?

An Iron Triangle is a close relationship between three parts of government: a congressional committee that makes rules, a government agency that carries out those rules, and interest groups that want to influence the rules for their own benefit.

How does an Iron Triangle work?

The committee creates laws, the agency implements them, and interest groups provide support or information. This cooperation often leads to policies that benefit specific interests, sometimes ignoring the needs of the general public.