Gov Unit 2

Federal Bureaucracy

The administrative system that implements and enforces federal laws, made up of government agencies and departments.

Bureaucrat

A non-elected government official working in the bureaucracy.

Political Patronage

Appointing individuals to government jobs as a reward for political support.

Pendleton Act (1883)

Established the merit system, reducing political patronage.

Federal Civil Service

Government employees hired based on merit rather than political affiliation.

Merit System

Hiring and promotion based on ability and qualifications rather than political connections.

Iron Triangle

A relationship between a congressional committee, a bureaucracy, and an interest group that influences policy.

Issue Network

A broader, informal coalition of interest groups, media, and policymakers that influence policy.

Bureaucratic Discretion

The ability of bureaucrats to make policy decisions when implementing laws.

Regulation

Government rules that control business, industries, and activities to enforce laws.

Bureaucratic Adjudication

The process by which federal agencies settle disputes involving their regulations.

Federal Judiciary

The system of federal courts that interpret and apply laws.

SCOTUS

The highest court in the U.S. that has the final say on constitutional matters.

Original Jurisdiction

The power of a court to hear a case first, before any other court.

Appellate Jurisdiction

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

Judicial Review

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

Criminal Law

Laws dealing with crimes against society, with penalties like fines or imprisonment.

Civil Law

Laws dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations.

Federal District Courts

The lowest level of federal courts where trials are held.

Federal Courts of Appeals

Courts that review cases from district courts; no new trials, only legal review.

Stare Decisis

The principle that courts should follow precedents set in previous cases.

Majority Opinion

The official decision of the Supreme Court, reflecting the views of most justices.

Concurring Opinion

A separate opinion written by a justice who agrees with the majority but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by justices who disagree with the majority ruling.

Judicial Restraint

The idea that courts should defer to elected officials and avoid making policy decisions.

Judicial Activism

The idea that courts should actively interpret laws and the Constitution to shape policy.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, led by the president.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the president by the Constitution.

Informal Powers

Powers not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but exercised by the president.

Treaty

A formal agreement between nations that requires Senate approval.

State of the Union Address

The president’s annual speech to Congress outlining legislative priorities.

Veto

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

Pocket Veto

When the president indirectly vetoes a bill by not signing it before Congress adjourns.

Presidential Pardon

The president’s power to forgive crimes and eliminate punishments.

Executive Privilege

The president’s right to withhold information from Congress or the courts.

Executive Agreement

An agreement between the president and a foreign leader that does not require Senate approval.

Signing Statement

A written statement by the president when signing a bill, explaining how they interpret it.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Limits the president’s ability to deploy troops without congressional approval.

Impeachment

The process by which a president or federal official is charged with misconduct by the House and tried in the Senate.

Bully Pulpit

The president’s ability to use the media to influence public opinion and policy.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending for localized projects to gain political support.

Logrolling

A practice where legislators trade votes to gain mutual benefits.

Oversight

Congressional review and supervision of the executive branch and its agencies.

Constituency

The voters an elected official represents.

Apportionment

The process of determining the number of representatives each state gets in the House.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries after a census.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district boundaries to benefit a particular political party.

Partisan Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts specifically to favor one political party.

Majority-Minority Districts

Congressional districts drawn to ensure a racial or ethnic minority is the majority.

Malapportionment

Unequal population distribution among districts, violating the principle of equal representation.

Incumbency

The advantage held by current officeholders seeking re-election.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party.

House Majority Leader

The second-ranking member of the House majority party, helps set legislative agenda.

Whip

A party leader responsible for ensuring members vote in line with party positions.

Minority Leader

The leader of the party with fewer seats in either chamber of Congress.

Senate Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in the Senate, directs legislative strategy.

Committee Chair

The head of a congressional committee, influencing which bills get discussed.

Discharge Petition

A House procedure to force a bill out of committee for a floor vote.

House Rules Committee

Sets the terms for debate and amendments on bills in the House.

Committee of the Whole

A procedure that allows the House to expedite legislation by considering bills with fewer formal rules.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic to delay a vote by speaking for an extended period.

Cloture

A Senate motion requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Entitlement Program

A government program that provides benefits to those who qualify.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending required by law.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that must be approved by Congress each year.

Budget Surplus

When the government collects more revenue than it spends.

Budget Deficit

When the government spends more than it collects in revenue.

National Debt

The total amount of money the government owes.

Delegate Role

Legislators vote according to their constituents' preferences.

Trustee Role

Legislators vote based on their judgment of what is best.

Politico Role

Legislators switch between the delegate and trustee roles depending on the issue.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between political parties.

Gridlock

A situation where government action is stalled due to political conflict.

Divided Government

When one party controls the presidency and the other controls Congress.

Lame Duck Period

The time between an election and when the new official takes office, often leading to reduced influence for the outgoing president or Congress.