Unit 2 IDs AP GOV

Bicameral

Two-chamber legislature (House and Senate). Example: U.S. Congress

Senatorial Courtesy

President lets senators from a nominee’s state approve nominations. Example: Judicial appointments.

Constituency / Constituents

The voters an elected official represents. Example: A representative’s district.

Congressional Committee

Group in Congress handling specific issues. Example: Judiciary Committee.

Select Committee

Temporary committee for special issues. Example: January 6th Committee.

Conference Committee

Committee that reconciles differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Speaker of the House

Leader of the House who sets agenda. Example: Nancy Pelosi (former).

President of the Senate

Vice President of the U.S.; breaks ties.

President Pro Tempore

Senior senator of the majority party who fills in for the VP.

Majority Leader

Leads the majority party in Congress.

Minority Leader

Leads the minority party in Congress.

Whip (Majority/Minority)

Tracks votes and ensures party discipline.

Filibuster

Senate tactic to delay a vote by prolonged debate.

Cloture

Vote (60 senators) to end a filibuster.

Quorum

Minimum number of members needed to conduct business.

Rules Committee

Decides debate time and amendment rules for House bills.

Discharge Petition

Forces a bill out of committee to the House floor.

Treaty Ratification

Senate must approve treaties by two-thirds vote.

Discretionary Spending

Congress decides annually how to spend. Example: Defense funding.

Mandatory Spending

Required by law. Example: Social Security and Medicare.

Entitlements

Guaranteed benefits for eligible people. Example: Medicaid.

Social Security

Retirement income program for older Americans.

Medicare

Health insurance for seniors (65+).

Medicaid

Health care for low-income individuals.

Budget Deficit

When government spending exceeds revenue.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Funding for local projects to gain support. Example: “Bridge to Nowhere.”

Earmarks

Money set aside in a bill for a specific project.

Omnibus Bill

Large bill combining many smaller bills.

Logrolling

Lawmakers trading votes to support each other’s bills.

Franking Privilege

Members of Congress can send mail for free.

Incumbency Advantage

Current officeholders have an easier time getting reelected.

Partisanship

Strong loyalty to one’s political party.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats based on population changes after the Census.

Census

Population count every 10 years.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to favor one political party.

Congressional Oversight

Congress monitoring executive agencies and actions.

Power of the Purse

Congress controls government spending and taxation.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee focused on specific policy areas.

Single-Member Districts

Each district elects one representative to the House.

Formal Presidential Powers

Powers directly stated in the Constitution. Example: Veto, Commander-in-Chief.

Veto

President’s power to reject a bill.

Pocket Veto

President lets a bill expire without signing it when Congress adjourns.

Commander-in-Chief

President’s role as head of the armed forces.

Executive Order

Rule or command issued by the President. Example: Biden’s order on climate policy.

The Cabinet

Advisors who lead executive departments.

Advice and Consent

Senate must approve presidential appointments.

20th Amendment

Moved presidential inauguration to January 20.

22nd Amendment

Limits the President to two terms in office.

25th Amendment

Establishes line of succession if the President is incapacitated.

State of the Union Address

Annual message where the President outlines priorities to Congress.

Honeymoon Period

Early months of a presidency with high public approval.

Bully Pulpit

Using the presidency’s visibility to influence public opinion.

War Powers Act (1973)

Limits the President’s ability to use military force without Congress’s approval.

Imperial Presidency

When the President acts beyond constitutional limits.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Helps prepare the federal budget.

White House Press Secretary

Spokesperson who communicates with the media.

Federal Bureaucracy

All executive agencies that carry out government policy.

Regulations

Rules issued by agencies to enforce laws.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Agencies’ ability to decide how to enforce laws.

Iron Triangles

Alliance among Congress, bureaucrats, and interest groups.

Patronage

Giving jobs or favors for political support.

Political Machines

Organizations trading jobs or favors for votes.

Merit System

Hiring based on qualifications, not politics.

Spoils System

Giving government jobs to loyal supporters.

Hatch Act (1939)

Limits federal employees’ political activities.

Red Tape

Excessive bureaucratic rules or procedures.

Department of State

Handles foreign affairs and diplomacy.

Department of Homeland Security

Protects the U.S. from terrorism and emergencies.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Provides services to military veterans.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Enforces environmental laws.

Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

Regulates campaign finance.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Regulates stock and securities markets.

NASA

Oversees space exploration and research.

Chief Executive Officer

President’s role as head of the executive branch.

Executive Privilege

President’s right to keep some communications secret.

White House Staff

President’s closest group of advisors and aides.

Linkage Institutions

Connect people to government (media, political parties, interest groups).

Issue Networks

Looser alliances of interest groups and experts shaping policy.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional. Example: Marbury v. Madison.

Precedent / Stare Decisis

Courts follow earlier rulings to ensure consistency.

Judicial Activism

Judges interpret the Constitution to reflect current values. Example: Brown v. Board of Education.

Judicial Restraint

Judges defer to elected branches, limiting their own power.

Loose Constructionism

Broad interpretation of the Constitution.

Strict Constructionism

Narrow, literal interpretation of the Constitution.

Original Jurisdiction

Court hears a case first. Example: State vs. State in Supreme Court.

Appellate Jurisdiction

Court reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Writ of Certiorari

Supreme Court order agreeing to review a case.

Solicitor General

Government’s lawyer before the Supreme Court.

Court Opinion

Written explanation of the court’s decision.

Selective Incorporation

Applying parts of the Bill of Rights to states through the 14th Amendment.

Strict Scrutiny

Highest standard of judicial review used when fundamental rights are restricted.