AP Gov Unit 2 Vocab

for Linser AP Gov 2024-25

“advise and consent”  

The advice and consent clause of the United States Constitution gives the Senate the power to advise and consent on the President's actions in making treaties and appointing officer

appropriation

the process through which congressional committees allocate funds to executive branch agencies, bureaus, and departments.

bicameral

“two houses”, refers to congress being made up of the House and the Senate

budget deficit 

The difference when the government spends more money than it recieves

bully pulpit

President appeals to the public to pressure (“bully”) other branches of government to agree

bureaucracy

the collective of a variety of government agencies responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing policies, laws, and regulations at the federal level

bureaucratic discretion

the power to decide how a law is implemented, and t times, to interpret Congress’ intentions for the law ('spirit of the law’)

casework

Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have the right to get. You could basically just call up your representative and have them help you with something

civil service system

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.

closed rule

limits debate on a bill (time limit basically), streamlines the legislative process by allowing for a quicker vote. Also ensures that the original bill does not have the majority of its contents discarded in an extended partisan debate

cloture

a procedure through which senators can end a filibuster and proceed to action, provided 3/5ths of senators agree to it

Commander-in-Chief

Refers to the President as the supreme military commander of the armed forces

committee chairperson

The member of Congress responsible for running a committee. Has great influence over the committee agency and the legislative process

committee hearings

where committee members gather information to inform committee business

Committee of the Whole

temporary legislative body in the House where all members serve. More relaxed rules and open debate. The whole House acts like a committee to consider legislation wit less stringent procedures.

conference committee

temporary joint committee formed when House and Senate pass different versions of a bill to combine them and send it to the President.

congressional committee

congressional oversight

In addition to appropriations, Congress has an oversight role over federal agencies. Congress carries out this function by holding hearings and conducts oversight of agency enforcement operations, functions and policies.

constituents

delegate role

Role where elected representatives vote the way their constituents would have wanted them to, regardless of personal opinion

discharge petition

A means of bringing a bill out of committee and to the floor without a report, “discharging” the committee from further consideration.

discretionary spending

the potion of the federal budget that is decided by annual appropriations bills, which includes funding for programs like education, defense, and transportation.

divided government

when one party controls executive and another controls legislative

impeachment

a motion to remove the president from office

“iron triangles”

the policy-making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups. It’s like checks and balances but not really

issue networks

an alliance of various interest groups and individuals who unite in order to promote a single issue in government

lame-duck president

A president whose term is coming to an end.

line item veto

presidential power to strike (remove) specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the whole thing. This was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court

logrolling

The practice of trading votes on different bills to pass things that they want in exchange for helping to pass some other bills. In practice, this tactic helps promote bipartisan and diverse interests

mandatory spending

Mandatory spending, also known as direct spending, is mandated by existing laws. This type of spending includes funding for entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security and other payments to people, businesses, and state and local governments. The compliment to discretionary spending

mark-up

the process where congressional committees and subcommittees debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation

Medicaid

Healthcare for poor people

Medicare

Federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Pays for hospital stays, doctors, and prescription drugs

merit system

partisan role

patronage

pocket veto

A pocket veto occurs when a bill fails to become law because the president does not sign it within the ten-day period and cannot return the bill to Congress because Congress is no longer in session.

politico role

Role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue

pork (barrel)

Pork barrel, or simply pork, is a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to direct expenditures to a representative's district.

power of the purse

quorum

The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action.

reapportionment

red tape

excessive or complex bureaucratic rules and regulations that often hinder efficient decision-making and slow down processes within a government agency

redistricting

redraw districts for House

rider

an additional provision or amendment attached to a legislative bill that is often unrelated to the main subject matter of the bill, essentially adding "strings attached" to the legislation

rule-making authority

earmarks

Earmarks are provisions in legislation that direct funds to specific projects or programs, typically at the request of a member of Congress.

entitlements

executive agreement

executive orders

executive privilege

filibuster

franking privilege

gerrymandering

government corporations

gridlock

holds

Rules Committee

select committee

signing statements

Speaker of the House

spoils system

standing committee

State of the Union

trustee role

unanimous consent

veto