AP Gov McMullen Unit 2 Vocab 2024

Cabinet

the head of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government

class action suit

A case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated

closed rule

An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor

concurring opinion

a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view but for different reasons

conference committee

joint committees appointed to resolve differences in the Senate and House versions of the same bill

Constitutional court

A federal court authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They are the Supreme Court (created by the Constitution) and appellate and district courts created by Congress

Court of Appeals

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

discharge petition

a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor

dissenting opinion

a signed opinion in which one or more justices disagree with the majority view

district courts

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

divided government

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

executive order

a presidential directive that calls for action within the executive branch

judicial restraint

the view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution

judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

joint committee

committees on which both senators and representatives serve

legislative courts

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes whose judges do not enjoy the protections of Article III of the Constitution

litmus test

An examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge

majority leader

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

minority leader

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

Party voting

A vote where most Democrats are on one side of the bill, and most Republicans are on the other.

Plantiff

the party that initiates a lawsuit

pocket veto

A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before Congress adjourns

political question

An issue the Supreme Court will allow the executive and legislative branches decide

select committee

Congressional committees appointed for a limited time and purpose.

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

standing committee

permanently established legislative committees that consider and are responsible for legislation within a certain subject area

speaker

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives and the leader of his or her party in the House.

stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

veto

Literally, "I forbid": it refers to the power of a president to disapprove a bill; it may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress.

bully pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

whips

a senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

pork-barrel legislation

legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return