AP EXAM REVIEW: UNIT 2

House of Representatives

One of the two chambers of Congress, composed of 435 members who serve 2-year terms and represent the people of their districts.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress, consisting of 100 members who serve 6-year terms and represent entire states.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official, initiated in the House of Representatives.

Filibuster

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

Cloture

A procedure for ending a filibuster and bringing a debate to a quick close, requiring a vote.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending that is required by existing law, including entitlement programs.

Discretionary Spending

Spending that is not required by law and can be adjusted annually in the budget.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare a law or executive action unconstitutional.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority's decision in a Supreme Court case.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the Court's decision that reflects the views of the majority of the justices.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

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

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate, often for specific purposes.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress that handles specific areas of legislation.

Civil Service System

A system that hires government employees based on merit rather than political affiliation.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which trained civil servants implement policies enacted by elected officials.

Pocket Veto

A method by which the President can indirectly veto a bill by not signing it within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.

Authorization Bill

A legislative measure that establishes a government program or changes an existing one.

Appropriations Bill

A legislative bill that specifies the funds allocated for a government program.

Party Leader

Role of the president to lead their political party, including campaign support and party positions.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in managing international relations and negotiating treaties.

War Powers Act

A federal law intended to check the president's power to commit the U.S. to an armed conflict without the consent of Congress.

Twelfth Amendment

Changed the procedure for electing the President and Vice President to run on the same ticket.

Twenty-second Amendment

Limits an individual to serving as President for two elected terms.

Marbury v. Madison

Established the principle of judicial review in the United States.

Baker v. Carr

Established the principle of 'one person, one vote' in legislative redistricting.

Shaw v. Reno

Ruled that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.