Ap Government + Politics Vocabulary

Anti - Federalist

against federalism (aka the government rule) they didn’t want a strong government. If they were against the central government then they want the states to be strong 

Bicameral

2 chambers/ houses; The Senate and House of Representatives 

Checks and Balance

System of that gives each branch of the government power to limit the other. With this system hopefully an abuse of power won’t happen

Commerce Clause

Commerce (trading, merchandise/economy); congress has the power to regulate businesses in any state and foreign trade to promote economic growth.

his clause gives congress the power over most commercial activity 

Electoral College

The process of electing the chief executive. Chosen electors are the one who cast their vote for the chief executive based on the majority vote in a state 

Enumerated Powers

stated powers given to congress by the constitution

Extradition

states are to return fugitives to the state where the crime was committed 

Federalist

Those who support a strong cental government – Think Hamilton and the federalist papers

Impeachment

The process of charging a government official with a crime. The House of Representatives and the Senate hold the trial.

Judicial Review

when the judiciary deems the actions of the legislature as unconstitutional 

National Supremacy

States must follow national laws and treaties

Popular Sovereignty

the people are the one who give the government consent to rule 

Reserved Powers

Powers that are reserved for the states, these powers aren’t in given to the national government through the constitution and as such they (the powers) remade with the states

Separation of Power

the constitutional division of governmental powers; executive enforces, legislatives legalize policies/legislation; and the judicial judges

Social Contract

ndividuals adhere to the creation of a government in order for their rights to be protected. The citizens give the government their power

Supremacy Cause

The federal government/law is the supreme law of the land and as long as they aren’t acting unconstitutionally their decree takes priority over any local or state policies.

3/5 compromise

Slaves count at 3/5ths of a person; this adds more representatives in the house of representatives.

Veto

the executive’s power to reject a bill passed by the legislative  

The Great Compromise

each state would have 2 senators no matter their size 

Necessary and Proper Clause / Elastic Clause

congress has the power to enact any laws that help them fulfill their objective as long as it doesn’t obstruct the constitution 

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

prohibits discrimination from people with disabilities these include employment, public accommodations, transportation, etc. Its goal is to provide equality for all Americans 

Block Grants

financial assistance given to state and local governments to manage general policies such as community development, social services and more. These grants are given to recipients with leniency of how they wish to use them 

Categorical Grants

funds from higher government level to a lower level to be used for specific projects 

Concurrent powers

powers held by both the state and federal government

Conditions of aids/strings

restrictions states must meet to qualify for aide 

Cooperative federalism

marble cake federalism, the state, local and federal government all work together to deliver services and policies to the people 

Delegated Powers

given to the federal government by the constitution; listen in Article I Section 8 for congress, Article II for president and Article III for the courts 

Devolution

the process of central governments returning power back to state and local governments; power sharing by choice said powers can also be taken back by the central government it’s not permanent

Grants-in-aid

congress giving states federal funds to states that qualify for aid 

Implied powers

not written in the Constitution but derived from the Elastic Clause, these powers the government the ability to do what is necessary to carry out its enumerated powers

Mandates

orders from the government, can come with financial help to carry them out (funded mandates) or without (unfunded mandates)

Privileges and immunities clause

prevents discrimination of citizens from other states, gives them the same privileges and immunities as citizens of other states

Revenue Sharing

federal tax money shared with state and local governments

Tenth Amendment

powers not given to the government or prohibited from state seizure belongs to the states and the people

Unitary Government

all power is held by the central government, it’s the opposite of federalism where the powers of the central government is split constitutionally and legally with the lower governments

Full faith and credit clause

states must respect each others laws, court decisions and records

Federalism

shared and divided power between the state and central government, with each level retaining some degree of independence

Caucuses

an informal assembly, meeting of members of a political party, can also be of Congress members such as the Senate and house; or cross parties that have the same goal in mind

Cloture Rule

the most common way to overcome a filibuster, it's used by the Senate to end a debate, needs 60 votes in the senete

Committee of the Whole

a procedure used in the House to discuss on debates in a leisure setting, the rules are lax as such they can debate and amend bills efficiently

Conference Committee

an ad hoc (for this) panel of House and Senate members formed to reconcile differences between bills, as a result a single compromise bill

Congressional Oversight

the US congress reviewing, monitoring and supervising federal agencies to make sure the executive branch is caring out laws efficiently and effectively 

Delegate Model

Representatives are voting for their people. Their actions align with what the people want as such they ignore their personal views

Discharge Petition

A procedure in the House that allows a majority (218 members) to force a stalled bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote 

Filibuster

An action that delays a legislative vote on a controversial issue, these actions can be through refusing to give up the floor, prolonged speeches, postponing

It’s only used in the Senate

Germane

meaning relevant to the subject

Markup Session

a meeting where a legislative committee or subcommittee debates, amends and rewrites a bill

Politico Model

the political ground, it is a strategical role in which representatives switch between being a delegate and a trustee depending on the issue or political pressures.

It’s whats used by lawmakers

Rules Committee

the one that sets the stage for what the House of Rep. discusses; they control the length of the debates, the amendments allowed and the order of which bills are discussed (order of cosideration)

Senate Majority Leader

the one who leads the majority of the Senate, they direct the legislative program and party strategy

Seventeenth Amendment

the amendment that allows direct election of senators 

Standing Committee

permanent groups that handles bills/legislative in specific areas, they are also the first to review proposed bills/legislative if it corresponds to their subject

it’s in both the House and Senate

Also the bill graveyard, most bills die there

Trustee Model -

representatives use their own judgment to make decisions they believe would be better, they also may go against the constituents wishes, (people) 

Ways and Means Committee

it’s in the house of representatives, it's the standing committee for taxation, tariffs and revenue related matters. 

Unanimous Consent

all senators have to approve the bill, this is used to suspend rules and limit debate

House Judiciary Committee

a committee in the US House of Rep. With a jurisdiction over justice and federal law;

handles the articles or impeachment (aka charges of impeachment); they investigate to see if it’s a case worth impeaching

Hold

used to delay floor action, a senator tells party leader they object to a bill it doesn’t block the bill but it becomes the foreshadowing of a filibuster