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Apportionment
The process of determining the number of representatives to the U.S. House of Representatives each state receives based on population.
Bill
A proposed law that is presented to a legislative body and is set for approval by debate.
Cloture
A procedure used in the Senate to try and end a filibuster and bring a bill to vote.
Conference Committee
A temporary committee formed to try and resolve differences between House and Senate bill versions.
Congressional Budget Office
A federal agency that provides information on economic bills and analysis to help Congress make decisions on federal budgeting and spending.
Delegate
A member of Congress who represents a territory or district but does not have full voting rights within the House of Representatives.
Discharge Petition
A petition that, if signed by a majority of the House of Representatives, forces a bill out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote.
Divided Government
When one political party controls the presidency and another controls one or both chambers of Congress.
Filibuster
A tactic used in the Senate to prevent a bill from being passed through lengthy speeches.
Gerrymandering
The political manipulation of electoral districts and boundaries to favor one political party over another.
Government Accountability Office
An independent, nonpartisan agency that evaluates the performance of government agencies and programs.
House Committee on Rules
A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that sets terms and rules for debates.
Impeachment
The process by which the President, VP, or any federal officer can be removed from office for misconduct.
Incumbency
A person who is currently in office and is seeking re-election.
Joint Committee
A committee composed of members from both House and Senate that works together to address specific issues.
Logrolling
The practice of exchanging favors, such as voting for each other's respective bills, to gain support for legislation.
Markup
The process by which congressional committees review, revise, and amend bills before they are considered by the House or Senate.
Pork
The use of government spending for local projects intended to benefit a specific legislator's district or state.
President pro tempore
A senior member of the majority party in the Senate who serves as the backup for the VP when the Senate is in session.
Reconciliation
A legislative process used to expedite the passage of budget-related bills in the Senate.
Select Committee
A temporary committee established by either the House or Senate to investigate or study a specific issue.
Senatorial Courtesy
An unwritten tradition in which Senators from the President's party are consulted before nominations are made.
Standing Committee
A permanent committee in either the House or Senate that deals with specific areas of legislation.
Whip
A member of Congress who assists the party leadership in ensuring party discipline and counting votes.
Executive Agreements
An agreement between the President and a foreign government that does not require Senate approval.
Executive Order
A directive issued by the president that manages the operations of the federal government.
Executive Privilege
The President’s right to withhold information from Congress, the courts, or the public.
Office of Management and Budget
A division of the executive office that helps develop the federal budget and oversees its implementation.
Signing Statements
A written statement issued by the President when signing a bill into law.
25th Amendment
An amendment to the US constitution that outlines the process for presidential succession and disability.
22nd Amendment
An amendment to the US constitution that limits a President to two terms in office.
US v. Nixon
A landmark supreme court case that ruled the president cannot use executive privilege to withhold evidence.
Administrative Discretion
The authority given to government agencies to make decisions and implement laws.
Civil Service System
A system of hiring government employees based on merit rather than political loyalty.
Government Corporation
A government-owned entity that operates like a private business, providing services or goods.
Hatch Act
A federal law that restricts the political activities of government employees.
Implementation
The process of putting laws, policies, or programs into action.
Independent Executive Agencies
Agencies of the federal government that are not part of a cabinet department and report directly to the president.
Independent Regulatory Commission
A federal agency created by Congress to regulate specific industries or sectors.
Iron Triangles
The strong relationships between congressional committees, federal agencies, and interest groups.
Patronage
The practice of giving government jobs or benefits to political supporters.
Pendleton Act
A law that created the civil service commission and established merit-based government jobs.
16th Amendment
An amendment to the US constitution that allows Congress to levy an income tax.
Spoils System
The practice of awarding government jobs to political supporters after winning elections.
Amicus Curiae
A friend of the court brief submitted by someone who is not a party to a case.
Appellate Jurisdiction
The authority of a higher court to review the decisions of a lower court.
Brief
A written document that presents legal arguments in a case.
Dissenting Opinions
A written opinion by one or more judges expressing disagreement with the majority opinion.
Concurring Opinions
An opinion written by a judge who agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons.
Judicial Activism
A judicial philosophy where judges are willing to overturn precedent and change public policy.
Judicial Restraint
A philosophy where judges limit their power to interpret the constitution.
Judiciary Act of 1789
A law that established the federal judiciary system, including the Supreme Court.
Original Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.
Precedents
Previous court decisions that serve as examples for future cases.
Rule of Four
A rule requiring at least four justices to agree to hear a case.
Solicitor General
The lawyer who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court.
Stare Decisis
The legal principle that courts should follow precedents in decision-making.
Strict Constructionist
A judicial philosophy that interprets the constitution as it is written.
Writ of Certiorari
A formal order issued by a higher court to review the decision of a lower court.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
A Supreme Court case involving apportioning legislative districts, ensuring fair representation.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
A Supreme Court case addressing the constitutionality of a racially gerrymandered district.
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