ap gov unit 2 flashcards

Enumerated Powers vs. Implied Powers

Enumerated: Listed in Art 1 Sec 8 (tax, borrow, commerce). Implied: Assumed necessary under N&P Clause.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Gives Congress implied powers to carry out enumerated functions.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee where most bills start, are researched, and edited.

Special/Select Committee

Temporary committee formed for a specific purpose.

Conference Committee

Temporary joint committee formed to resolve differences between House/Senate versions of a bill.

House Rules Committee

Most powerful House committee; sets debate rules, time limits, and amendment rules.

House of Representatives

435 members, 2-year terms, strict debate rules, initiates revenue bills.

Senate

100 members, 6-year terms, unlimited debate, handles treaties and confirmations.

Speaker of the House

Most powerful House leader; influences bill votes and committee assignments.

Party Whip

Tracks vote counts and pressures party members to vote with leadership.

Filibuster

Long speech or delay tactic used in the Senate to block a vote.

Cloture

A 3/5ths vote (60 senators) required to end a filibuster.

Hold

A notice by a Senator to block a bill from coming to the floor.

Rider

An unrelated/unpopular provision attached to an important bill.

Pork Barrel / Earmark

Government funds used for local projects to satisfy constituents.

Logrolling

Trading legislative votes among lawmakers.

Discharge Petition

House petition signed by a majority to force a bill out of committee.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law for entitlement programs (e.g., Social Security).

Discretionary Spending

Annual spending approved by Congress (e.g., defense, education).

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Non-partisan agency reviewing economic impacts of budget proposals.

Reapportionment

Reallocating House seats among states every 10 years after the census.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district lines within a state.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district boundaries to intentionally favor a specific political group.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the "one person, one vote" rule for district population equality.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled racial gerrymandering unconstitutional if race is the sole factor.

Delegate Model

Representative votes strictly based on constituent wishes.

Trustee Model

Representative uses their own best judgment to vote.

Politico Model

Representative acts as delegate on high-profile issues, trustee on low-profile ones.

Formal Powers of President

Commander-in-Chief, veto, state of the union, pardons, appointments.

Informal Powers of President

Executive orders, executive agreements, signing statements, bully pulpit.

Pocket Veto

President takes no action for 10 days while Congress adjourns, killing the bill.

Executive Order

Presidential directive with the force of law that can bypass Congress.

Executive Agreement

International pact between President and foreign leader not requiring Senate approval.

Bully Pulpit

President's use of prestige and media visibility to guide the public and pressure Congress.

Federalist No. 70

Hamilton's defense of a single, decisive executive for unity and accountability.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Requires President to notify Congress within 48h of military action and pull troops after 60 days unless approved.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

Established a merit-based system for civil service jobs instead of patronage.

Hatch Act (1939)

Prohibits civil service workers from active partisan political campaigning while on duty.

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Agencies insulated from presidential politics that regulate economic sectors (e.g., Fed Reserve).

Discretionary Authority

Freedom given to civil servants on how to enforce broad congressional laws.

Rule-Making Authority

Agency power to issue regulations carrying the full force of law.

Iron Triangle

Mutually beneficial policy network between an Interest Group, Bureaucratic Agency, and Congressional Committee.

Issue Network

Loose, informal group of experts, media, and staffers debating policy.

Federalist No. 78

Hamilton's essay defining the judiciary as the "least dangerous branch" with life tenure.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Landmark case that established Judicial Review.

Rule of 4

At least 4 Supreme Court Justices must agree to grant certiorari to hear a case.

Writ of Certiorari

Formal request for lower court records sent up for Supreme Court review.

Judicial Restraint

Philosophy that judges should strictly defer to precedents and elected legislatures.

Judicial Activism

Philosophy that judges should actively interpret laws to protect rights and correct injustices.

Strict Constructionism

Interpreting the Constitution strictly based on its explicit written text.

Stare Decisis

Legal doctrine requiring courts to follow established legal precedents.

16th Amendment

Gives Congress the power to lay and collect federal income taxes.

17th Amendment

Established direct popular election of U.S. Senators by citizens.

Omnibus Bill

Large bill combining several smaller appropriations bills into one vote.

Incrementalism

Budgeting approach where budgets increase by small amounts each year.

Uncontrollable Spending

Budget spending driven automatically by the number of eligible recipients.

Fiscal Policy

Government management of the economy through taxing and spending.

Germaneness Requirement

House rule requiring amendments and debate to be strictly relevant to the bill.

Committee of the Whole

House committee structure operating under modified rules to expedite legislation.

Double-Tracking

Senate procedure allowing other legislative business to move forward during a filibuster.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

Senate agreement setting aside standard debate rules to speed up action.

Clinton v. City of New York (1998)

Ruled the presidential line-item veto unconstitutional under separation of powers.

Executive Privilege

Implied presidential right to keep executive communications confidential.

Mandate Claim

Presidential assertion that election victory reflects a popular mandate for their agenda.

Cabinet vs. White House Staff

Cabinet heads require Senate confirmation; White House staff do not.

Administrative Adjudication

Semi-judicial power of bureaucratic agencies to resolve disputes and levy fines.

Red Tape

Complex, rigid rules and procedures that delay bureaucratic action.

Article III

Section of the Constitution establishing the Supreme Court and federal judicial system.

Justiciable & Standing

Legal requirements that a case can be settled by law and that the plaintiff has direct harm.

Amicus Curiae Brief

"Friend of the court" brief filed by outside groups to influence a Supreme Court case.

Senatorial Courtesy

Custom where Senate rejects a nominee if opposed by a home-state senator of the president's party.

Strategic Retirement

Judges timing their retirement so a president of their preferred political party appoints their replacement.