APGOV 2

Pork barrel legislation

laws passed by Congress that appropriate money for local federal projects

discretionary spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.

House Rules Committee

An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

Filibuster

a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

Confirmation powers

Senate has the power to approve presidential appointments of federal officials

Committee of the Whole

A committee that consists of an entire legislative body; used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the principle of "one person, one vote" and made such patterns of representation illegal. The Court asserted that the federal courts had the right to tell states to reapportion their districts for more equal representation.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965

Trustee

A legislator who acts according to her or his conscience and the broad interests of the entire society.

partisan

Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause

Politico Model

Legislators should follow their own judgment (that is, act like a trustee) until the public becomes vocal about a particular matter, at which point they should follow the dictates of constituents

Delegate

a legislator who functions as a conduit for constituency opinion

veto power

the ability to prevent the passage of a measure through a unilateral act, such as a single negative vote

veto override

reversal of a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress

pocket veto

president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service

Chief Executive

The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government.

Chief Administrator

the president's executive role as the head of federal agencies and the person responsible for the implementation of national policy

Party Chief

The President is the head of their political party.

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

signing statement

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

White House Staff

Personnel who run the White House and advise the President. Includes the Chief of Staff and Press Secretary

Federalist No. 70

Here Hamilton argues for the necessity of a single president (rather than an executive committee). Hamilton states that Americans should not fear the president becoming a tyrant because a single person would be easier to control. Additionally, a single president could act with more energy, efficiency, and secrecy than could a committee.

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.

25th Amendment

Presidential Succession; Vice Presidential Vacancy; Presidential Inability

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review; "midnight judges;" John Marshall; power of the Supreme Court.

Federalist No. 78

written by Alexander Hamilton; talks about the federal judiciary; judiciary must depend on other two branches to uphold its decisions

Judicial Appointments

Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Once a nomination is made by the President, a simple majority vote in the Senate only is required. Presidents will nominate judges who share their same political views.

judicial confirmation process

District Courts, Senatorial Courtesy

Appeals and Supreme Court, President takes most interest

Senate Judiciary Committee, Hearings

Confirmation Process, Role of Interest Groups

issue network

A network that includes policy experts, media pundits, congressional staff members, and interest groups who regularly debate an issue.

Iron Triangle

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

Chevron Deference

the principle enunciated by the Supreme Court that courts must defer to agency interpretations of their own laws

committee hearing

committees collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking

oversight function

review by legislative committees of the policies and programs of the executive branch