AP Gov Unit Test

Bully Pulpit

A position of authority or visibility that allows someone, particularly the president, to speak out and influence public opinion.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the United States Congress, consisting of representatives elected to serve two-year terms (435 seats). It is responsible for making laws and has the power to initiate revenue bills.

Senate

The upper chamber of the United States Congress, consisting of senators elected to serve six-year terms (100 seats). It plays a key role in lawmaking, confirming appointments, and ratifying treaties. con

constituents

The residents of a congressional district or state who are represented by elected officials. Their interests and opinions are considered by lawmakers when making decisions.

Personal Staff

Individuals employed by members of Congress to assist with legislative duties, constituent services, and administrative tasks.

Committee Staff

Employees who support congressional committees in their functions, including research, organization, and analysis of legislation.

Staff Agencies

Government entities that provide support and expertise to Congress, helping with research, policy analysis, and administrative functions.

Congress Checks

Congress can impeach judges and confirm/deny presidential appointments, as well as override presidential vetoes.

Treaties

Formal agreements between countries that require Senate approval before ratification.

Legislative Override

The process by which Congress can pass a law despite a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in both houses.

Congressional Oversight

The review and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation by Congress to ensure accountability and transparency.

Line-Item Veto

A power that allows an executive to reject specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation, often used in budgetary contexts.

The Congressional Investigations of the House of Representatives

initiates articles of impeachment, initiates revenue bills, and its members are highly specialized.

Congressional Investigations in the Senate

conducts trials for impeached officials, unlimited debates, and members are generalists.

House of Representatives Requirements

Members must be at least 25 years old, a citizen for at least 7 years, and reside in the state they represent.

Senate Requirements

Members must be at least 30 years old, a citizen for at least 9 years, and reside in the state they represent.

Power of the Purse

Refers to the government's ability to tax and spend public funds, primarily exercised by Congress.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by extending debate.

Cloture Vote

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster or bring a debate to a close, requiring a three-fifths majority.

Double Tracking

A procedure in the Senate that allows for the continuation of business during a filibuster by setting aside the obstructed bill and moving on to other matters.

Incumbent

An elected official currently holding office, often seeking re-election.

Challenger

A candidate running against an incumbent in an election, often seeking to unseat them.

President Requirements

A candidate must be at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen of the United States, and have been a resident of the country for at least 14 years.

Franking Privilege

The right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents free of charge, thus helping them communicate with voters.

Incumbent Advantages

Incumbents often have greater name recognition, established fundraising networks, and access to media coverage, which can enhance their chances of reelection.

Descriptive Representation

Substitive Representation

Trustee

Official relies on their own judgement. “I trust myself.”

Delegate

Mirrors the constituents.

Politico

Combination of trustee and delegate.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate and amendments for legislation.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for maintaining order and overseeing House proceedings. Second in line for President.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in the House or Senate, responsible for scheduling legislation and guiding party strategy.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in the House or Senate, responsible for representing minority party interests and coordinating opposition to majority party initiatives.

Vice President

The second-highest executive officer in the United States, who also serves as President of the Senate and is first in line to succeed the President.

President Pro Tempore

The senior member of the majority party in the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President and is third in the presidential line of succession.

Majority/Minority Whip

A party member in Congress who makes sure party members vote together and helps leaders organize support for laws.

Bicameral

Refers to a legislative system with two separate chambers or houses.

Role of Committees

review proposed legislation, conduct hearings, and gather information to make recommendations to the full chamber, organize debates, and facilitate oversight of federal agencies

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress that focus on specific areas of legislation.

Joint Committees

made up of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, which is formed to investigate or address specific issues

Conference Committees

Temporary, formed when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill

Casework

The assistance provided by congressional members and their staff to constituents in resolving problems with government services or matters. This can include helping with issues related to social security, veterans' benefits, immigration, and other federal programs.

Powers only used in the Senate

confirming presidential appointments (such as Cabinet members and federal judges), ratifying treaties, and conducting impeachment trials for federal officials, filibusters

The Powers the Legislative Branch has over the President

the ability to override presidential vetoes, conduct oversight of executive actions, approve funding, confirm presidential appointments, and impeach the President

The Powers the Legislative Branch has over the Supreme Court

the power to create and alter the structure of the federal court system, determine the jurisdiction of the courts, and can propose constitutional amendments to override court decisions, impeach and remove federal judges

How can a Supreme Court Ruling be Changed?

overturn its own decision in a future case, pass a constitutional amendment to change the law related to the ruling, create new laws that address the issue from the ruling

reapportionment

the process of redistributing congressional seats among the states based on changes in population. This occurs every ten years after the census, ensuring that each state's representation in the House of Representatives reflects its population size. States that gain population may receive additional seats, while those that lose population may have seats removed.

Gerrymandering

the practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage over others

Pork Barrel

Government spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a particular politician in return for their electoral support, often characterized by the allocation of funds for localized projects that may not be a high priority for the larger public.

Seniority System

Old system, whoever had served the longest and whose party controlled the chamber became chair.

Congressional Caucus

a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives

Government Accountability Office

Helps Congress perform its oversight by reviewing the activities of the executive branch.

Congressional Budget Office

Focuses on analyzing the president’s budget and making economic projections on the performance of the economy.

Bill

A proposed law, drafted in legal language.

The Process for Lawmaking

22nd Amendment

limited presidents to 2 terms in office

25th amendment

allows the VP to become president if the VP and cabinet think the president to be diabled.

the impeachment terms

does not have to be a crime, the offense should be grave, policy disagreement shouldn’t lead to it, and it is a political proccess

Watergate Scandal

Nixon was about to be impeached because he refused to turn over tapes because the Constitutional principle of executive privilege extends to the tapes and citing the separation of powers and checks and balances within the Constitution, and second, claiming they were vital to national security

Chief Executive Roles

laws be faithfully executed, recommend agency budgets to congress, appoint officials and check on regulations issued by agencies.

executive order

a regulation originating with the executive branch.

cabinet

a group of presidential advisors not mentioned in the constitution, established new executive departments.

Executive office

consists of the national security council, council of economic advisors, and office of management and budget.

white house staff

provides the chief executive with a wide variety of services

role of chief of staff

sees that everyone else is doing their job and that the president’s time and interests are protected.

coattails

occurs when the voters cast their ballots for Congressional candidates of the president’s party because those candidates support the president.

midterm elections

the president’s party usually loses seats during this time.

chief diplomat

extends diplomatic recognition to foreign governments

treaties and executive agreements

negotiate treaties and executive agreements with other nations

commander in chief

president is in charge of the armed forces.

war powers resolution

a law passed to require presidents to consult with Congress whenever using military forces

president and the press

the press usually conveys the presidents actions, whether good or bad.

executive privilege

discretion to decide that the national interest will be better served if certain information is withheld

Amendment 12

how we elect the VP (runner up to president would be VP)

Amendment 20

if president elect dies before taking office, VP elect becomes new president

budget

a policy document allocating burdens and benefits

deficit

expidentures (spending) exceed revenue (financial resources)

expidentures

gov spending usually spent on social services and national defense.

revenue

the financial resources of the gov

three sources of revenue

personal income taxes, corporate income taxes, and social insurance taxes

16th amendment

allowed congress to levy a tax

progressive taxes

richer ppl get taxed more bc they make more money

flat taxes

everyone should be taxed at same rate

federal debt

rises when spending occurs in a deficit

interest groups

involved in defending and agencys budget request

agencies

send requests to omb and present themselves before congressional committees

OMB - office of management and budget

makes decisions in place of president about the budget

congress in the budgetary process

apporves tax codes that are written senate finance committee and house ways and means committee

congressional Budget office in the budgetary process

advises Congress onm the probable consequences of its decisions and forecasts revenues

budget resolution

a resolution binding congress to a total expenditure level

authorization bill

an act of Congress that establishes, continues, or changes a discretionary gov program

appropriations bill

funds programs within limits of authorization bills

continuing resolution

when Congress cannot reach an agreement so they use the same resolution form last year

patronage

somone is hired or promoted because of political factors

pendleton civil service act

hiring and promotion has to be based on skill and merit

merit principle

hiring should be based on exams and promotion ratings

hatch act

prohibited gov employees from participating in partisan politics.

cabinet departments

each department manages specific policy areas and each has its own budget and staff

independent regulatory comissions

responsible for making and enforcing rules to protect the public interest