Congress and Judiciary Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a lecture on the US Congress and Judiciary.

Demographic Representation

The idea that the composition of Congress (in terms of race, gender, wealth, etc.) does not accurately reflect the demographics of the US population.

Single-member Districts

The system where each of the 435 Congressmen and 100 Senators represents a specific geographic area within the US, making it difficult to form a cohesive majority.

District Focus

A situation where members of Congress prioritize the needs and interests of their specific districts, sometimes hindering broader cooperation.

Low Congressional Rating

The tendency for Congress to have low public approval ratings, fueled by perceptions of being out of touch or ineffective.

Bureaucratic Structure (Congress)

The organizational structure of Congress, including leadership positions, personal staff, and committee staff.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress that focus on specific subject areas, such as agriculture, defense, or education.

Party Division (Committees)

The distribution of committee seats between political parties, reflecting the overall partisan balance in Congress.

Seniority within Committee

The system where committee members gain power and influence based on their length of service on the committee.

Committee Chair

The member of the majority party who leads a committee, sets the agenda, and controls the committee's proceedings.

Mark-up Session

The process where a bill is revised and amended in committee before being sent to the full House or Senate for a vote.

Markup Session

A closed process that helps settles disputes blocking passage of legislation

Iron Triangle

A close working relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups to advance shared policy goals. Does not include president

Incumbency Advantage

The tendency for current officeholders to win reelection at high rates, due to factors like name recognition, fundraising advantages, and access to resources.

Party Cohesion

The extent to which members of a political party vote together on legislation and share similar policy positions.

Congressional Campaign Committees

The committees within each party's structure that raise and distribute money to support candidates in elections.

Executive Order

A presidential directive that carries the force of law, used to manage operations of the executive branch.

District Court

The first level of the federal court system where cases are initially heard, evidence is presented, and juries render verdicts.

Federal Appeals Court

The court that reviews decisions made by district courts, determining whether errors of law or procedure occurred.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the federal judiciary, responsible for interpreting the Constitution and resolving disputes over federal law.

Precedent

The principle that courts should follow precedents set in previous cases when deciding similar disputes.

Attorney General

The chief law officer of the federal government, head of the Department of Justice.

FBI

The investigative arm of the Department of Justice, responsible for investigating federal crimes and enforcing federal laws.

Senatorial Courtesy

A political tradition where senators from the state where a federal judicial vacancy occurs have significant influence in the selection of the nominee.

American Bar Association (ABA)

A professional organization that evaluates the qualifications of potential judicial nominees.

Federalist Society

A conservative legal organization that promotes a textualist or originalist interpretation of the Constitution.

Living Constitutionalism

The idea that judges should interpret the Constitution and laws in light of contemporary values and societal changes.

Strict Constructionism

The idea that judges should interpret the Constitution based on its original meaning and intent.