AP US Gov Test 2/20

Apportionment

The process of distributing seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district boundaries following the census to reflect population changes.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

'One Person, One Vote'

A principle established by the Supreme Court mandating that legislative districts across states have roughly equal populations.

Majority-Minority Districts

Electoral districts drawn to ensure that a racial minority group constitutes a majority of the district's population.

Bicameral Legislature

A two-chamber legislative system, as established in the U.S. by the Constitution, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution, including taxation, coinage of money, regulation of commerce, and declaration of war.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the Elastic Clause, allowing Congress to pass laws necessary and proper to carry out its enumerated powers.

Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution, granting Congress the authority to pass all laws necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.

Committee System

The division of legislative workload among various committees and subcommittees specializing in specific policy areas.

Filibuster

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

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring a supermajority vote.

Conference Committee

A temporary, joint body formed to reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of a particular bill.

Legislative Oversight

Congress's monitoring of the executive branch and its administration of policy, primarily through committee hearings.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for a single, energetic executive as essential for accountability and effective governance.

Unitary Executive Theory

The idea that the President possesses the power to control the entire executive branch.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President that have the force of law without requiring congressional approval.

Signing Statements

Written pronouncements issued by the President upon signing a bill into law, often outlining the interpretation or intended implementation of the legislation.

Veto Power

The President's constitutional authority to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law unless overridden by a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

Pocket Veto

A special veto exercised by the President after a legislative body has adjourned; if the President does not sign the bill within ten days, it does not become law and cannot be overridden.

Commander-in-Chief

The role of the President as the supreme leader of the military forces of the United States.

Executive Agreements

International agreements made by the President that do not require Senate approval.

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisors, consisting of the heads of the executive departments and other officials designated by the President.

White House Staff

Personnel who assist the President, including the Chief of Staff and various advisors, not requiring Senate confirmation.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the power of judicial review and the importance of an independent judiciary.

Judicial Review

The authority of the Supreme Court to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Life Tenure

The provision that federal judges hold their positions for life, contingent on good behavior, to ensure independence from political pressures.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

Writ of Mandamus

A court order compelling a government official to perform a duty they are legally obligated to complete.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first, as opposed to on appeal.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials.

Civil Service System

A merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees to ensure a competent and nonpartisan workforce.

Independent Agencies

Federal organizations that operate independently from the executive departments, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Government Corporations

Government-owned entities that operate like private businesses, providing specific services; for example, the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Regulatory Agencies

Independent governmental bodies established to enforce standards and regulations in specific areas, like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Iron Triangle

A close, mutually beneficial relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.