Unit 2: Vocab Quiz 2

Baker v. Carr

The Supreme Court CAN render judgment on the constitutionality of legislative districts.

Gridlock

The “congestion” of opposing forces that prevents ideas from moving forward due to intensifying partisanship.

Redistricting

Reshaping congressional districts based on shifts in population.

Gerrymandering

Illogical district lines drawn to give the advantage to one party.

Racial Gerrymandering

The intentional drawing of legislative districts on the basis of race.

Shaw v. Reno

A congressional district designed for the purpose of assuring a majority black population (racial gerrymandering) VIOLATES the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause.

Commander in Chief

The President is the civilian commander of the U.S. armed forces and can dictate defense if attacked.

Formal Powers

Powers explicitly delegated to the President in Article II.

Executive Agreement

A simple contract between two heads of state that resembles a treaty, does not require two-thirds approval from the Senate, and is non-binding.

Executive Order

Empowers the president to carry out the law or to administer the government, and have the effect of law.

Executive Privilege

The right of presidents to withhold information or their decision-making process from another branch, especially Congress.

Informal Powers

Political powers interpreted to be inherent in the presidential office to achieve policy goals.

Line-Item Veto

An executive eliminates a line of spending from an appropriations bill/budgeting measure, allowing the president to veto part, but not all, of the bill.

Pocket Veto

A president receiving a bill in the final ten days of a congressional session and doing nothing, which allows the bill to die.

Signing Statements

Statements that explain the president’s interpretation of a bill, their understanding of what is expected of them to carry it out, or just a commentary on the law.

Veto

The president’s official rejection of a bill from becoming a law.

Ambassadors

Top diplomats appointed to represent the United States with a foreign nation.

Cabinet

The principal officers in each of the executive departments that advise the president.

Chief of Staff

Position responsible for the smooth operation of the White House and the swift and accurate flow of business, paper, and information.

Inherent Powers

Presidential powers that are not explicitly listed but are nonetheless within the jurisdiction of the executive.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

A council of top uniformed officials from each division in the Defense Department, which advises the president on military strategy.

Federalist 70

Foreshadows the ingredients of the presidency and mainly focuses on the value of the unity in a single executive to avoid conflicts and to ensure accountability (energetic executive).

Imperial Presidency

A powerful executive position guided by a weaker Congress.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Prevents any president from serving more than two consecutive terms or a total of ten years.

Bully Pulpit

A prominent stage where the president could pitch ideas to the American people, who would then persuade Congress.

State of the Union Address

The president explains the economic, military, and social state of the nation, proposes new policies, and explains how government programs are being administered.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The power of a higher court to review and rule on decisions made by lower courts (SCOTUS can review decisions of lower courts).

Certiorari

The losing party from a fact-based trial can appeal “to make more certain.”

Federalist 78

The independent judicial branch has the power of judicial review to examine acts of legislatures to see if they comport with the proposed Constitution. Permanency of the judges will protect them from the other branches when they make unpopular but constitutional decisions.

Judicial Review

The power of SCOTUS to examine acts of legislatures to see if they are constitutional or not.

Marbury v. Madison

Initiated the practice of judicial review in American jurisprudence and in defining common law. It asserted SCOTUS’ powers and checked Congress.