ap gov unit 2 apgovstyle

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress with two members per state

House

The lower chamber of Congress where membership is based on population; members serve two-year terms and initiate revenue bills.

Constituent

A resident of a district or state represented by an elected official.

Implied powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but assumed under the necessary and proper clause.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution

Revenue

Income collected by the government

Tax revenue

Funds collected from individuals and businesses by the government through taxation.

Budget

A financial plan for the federal government's income and expenditures.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate.

Cloture

A Senate procedure to end a filibuster

Rules Committee

A powerful House committee that sets the terms for debate and amendment of bills.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure that allows for faster consideration of legislation by reducing quorum requirements.

Discharge petition

A House mechanism to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

Entitlements

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet eligibility criteria

Discretionary spending

Government spending that is decided annually through appropriations bills.

Pork barrel

Federal spending for localized projects secured to bring money to a representative's district.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging votes in Congress to gain support for bills.

Partisanship

Loyalty to a political party that influences lawmakers’ decisions and actions.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor a party or group.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district lines based on population changes.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of House seats among states based on census data.

Baker v. Carr

A Supreme Court case that enabled federal courts to intervene in redistricting; established “one person

One person

one vote

Shaw v. Reno

A Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional if race is the predominant factor.

Divided government

A situation in which different parties control the presidency and one or both houses of Congress.

Lame duck

A government official who is still in office after losing reelection or not seeking another term.

Trustee representative

A representative who uses their own judgment to make decisions for the public good.

Delegate representative

A representative who votes according to the preferences of their constituents.

Politico representative

A representative who acts as a delegate or trustee depending on the issue.

Policy agenda

A list of priorities or issues that political leaders focus on.

Veto

The president’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

The president’s indirect veto by not signing a bill within 10 days while Congress is not in session.

Line-item veto

The power to reject specific provisions in a bill; ruled unconstitutional at the federal level.

Commander in Chief

The president's role as leader of the armed forces.

Executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate ratification.

Treaty

A formal agreement with another country that requires Senate ratification.

Executive order

A rule or command issued by the president that has the force of law.

Cabinet

The president’s group of top advisors

Signing statement

A statement issued by the president when signing a bill

Life tenure

A term used to describe federal judges who serve for life unless they resign

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for a strong energetic executive leader

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

Formal powers

Powers explicitly granted to the president by the Constitution.

Informal powers

Powers not directly stated but derived from the president’s role and responsibilities.

State of the Union

An annual address by the president to Congress outlining the administration’s policy agenda.

Bully pulpit

The president’s ability to speak out and be listened to on any matter

Agenda setting

The power of the media or political leaders to influence the issues that receive public attention.

Article III

The section of the Constitution that establishes the judicial branch.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton defending the judiciary's independence and the power of judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison

A landmark Supreme Court case that established judicial review.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Precedent

A previous court decision that serves as a rule for future cases.

Stare decisis

The practice of following judicial precedents in decision-making.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case.

Appellate

Refers to courts that review the decisions of lower courts.

Judicial activism

A philosophy that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.

Judicial restraint

A philosophy that judges should limit the exercise of their own power and defer to the elected branches.

Confirmation

The Senate's process of approving presidential appointments

Issue network

A network of individuals and organizations that influence public policy on specific issues.

Iron triangle

A stable relationship between a bureaucratic agency

Bureaucracy

The administrative system that implements laws and policies through agencies and departments.

Government corporations

Government agencies that operate like businesses

Merit system

Hiring and promotion based on qualifications and performance rather than political affiliation.

Patronage

A system where jobs and promotions are awarded based on political connections.

Oversight

Congress’s power to monitor and review the activities of executive agencies.

Power of the purse

Congress’s ability to influence government policy by controlling spending.

Appropriation

A legislative grant of money to fund government programs.