Studied by 0 people
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
Note 
Flashcard (38)