AP gov vocab

What is a bicameral legislature?

A two-house legislative structure consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives.

What are enumerated powers?

Specific powers granted to Congress in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

What are implied powers?

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause.

What is the role of the Senate in Congress?

The upper chamber of Congress, providing equal representation for states.

What is the House of Representatives?

The lower chamber of Congress with members apportioned by state population.

Who is the Speaker of the House?

The leader of the House of Representatives elected by the majority party.

What is the President Pro Tempore?

A senior member of the Senate's majority party who presides in the vice president's absence.

What is the legislative process?

The multi-step process through which Congress drafts, debates, amends, and votes on bills.

What are committees in Congress?

Specialized groups that review, amend, and advance bills and legislative matters.

What are riders in legislation?

Additional provisions attached to a bill, unrelated to its main subject.

What is pork-barrel legislation?

Funding allocated to specific local projects within larger bills to benefit particular districts.

What is a discharge petition?

A House mechanism to bring a bill out of committee for debate without a committee report.

What is a filibuster?

A procedural tactic in the Senate allowing prolonged debate to delay a vote.

What is cloture?

A Senate procedure requiring a three-fifths majority to end a filibuster.

What is logrolling?

The practice of exchanging support for each other's proposals in legislation.

What is gridlock?

A situation where partisan divisions stall legislative action.

What is the delegate model of representation?

A model where representatives vote based on the expressed desires of their constituents.

What is the trustee model of representation?

A model where representatives make policy decisions based on their own judgment.

What is the politico model of representation?

A hybrid model balancing individual judgment with constituents' preferences.

What is gerrymandering?

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.

What are formal (expressed) powers of the president?

Constitutionally granted powers, such as vetoing legislation and commanding the armed forces.

What are informal powers of the president?

Powers not explicitly listed but developed through practice, like executive orders.

What is the Faithful Execution Clause?

An article that provides the president broad authority to enforce laws.

What is a veto?

The president's authority to reject a bill passed by Congress.

What is a pocket veto?

When the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning.

What are executive orders?

Directives from the president to federal agencies with the force of law.

What are signing statements?

Written pronouncements by the president explaining the interpretation of a law.

What is executive privilege?

The president’s right to withhold information from Congress or courts.

What is 'Advice and Consent' in the Senate?

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

What is a divided government?

A situation where the executive and legislative branches are controlled by different parties.

What is the Bully Pulpit?

The president's platform to engage with the public and influence opinion.

What is the State of the Union Address?

An annual address by the president to Congress outlining legislative priorities.

What is mandatory spending?

Budgetary spending required by law for entitlement programs.

What is discretionary spending?

Spending authorized annually by Congress in areas like defense and education.

What is bureaucracy?

A hierarchical organization within the executive branch responsible for implementing laws.

What is the civil service?

A merit-based system of hiring and promotion for government employees.

What did the Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883) establish?

A merit-based system for hiring federal employees.

What is delegated discretionary authority?

The power of federal agencies to interpret legislation and make decisions.

What is rulemaking authority?

The process by which bureaucratic agencies create specific rules and regulations.

What are executive departments?

The main administrative units of the federal government, each led by a Cabinet Secretary.

What are executive agencies?

Sub-agencies within executive departments focusing on specific functions.

What are independent agencies?

Agencies outside executive departments operating with greater independence.

What are independent regulatory commissions?

Agencies established to regulate specific industries with significant independence.

What are government corporations?

Government-owned entities that provide services focusing on public needs.

What are iron triangles?

Stable alliances among congressional committees, agencies, and interest groups influencing policy.

What are issue networks?

Temporary coalitions of interest groups and agencies formed around specific issues.

What is compliance monitoring?

The process by which federal agencies ensure laws are followed.

What is congressional oversight?

The process by which Congress reviews the implementation of laws by federal agencies.

What is the power of the purse?

Congress’s authority to control agency funding and influence bureaucratic priorities.

What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 establish?

The federal judiciary structure, including district and circuit courts.

What is jurisdiction in a court?

The authority of a court to hear and decide cases.

What is a federal district court?

The lowest tier of the federal judiciary, exercising original jurisdiction.

What are federal circuit courts of appeals?

The middle tier of the federal judiciary reviewing district court decisions.

What is the Supreme Court of the United States?

The highest court with both original and appellate jurisdiction.

What is judicial review?

The authority of courts to determine the constitutionality of laws and actions.

What is a writ of certiorari?

An order by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send records for review.

What is stare decisis?

The principle of relying on precedent in judicial decision-making.

What is life tenure for federal judges?

The provision allowing federal judges to serve for life to ensure independence.

What is judicial ideology?

The beliefs and interpretive approaches influencing judges' decisions.

What is strict construction (originalism)?

A judicial philosophy focusing on a literal interpretation of the Constitution.

What is a living Constitution (judicial pragmatism)?

A philosophy interpreting the Constitution as evolving with societal changes.

What is judicial activism?

A philosophy where judges shape policy by overturning precedent and invalidating laws.

What is judicial restraint?

A philosophy emphasizing deference to the legislative and executive branches.

What are checks on the judicial branch?

Actions by other branches to limit judicial power, including legislation and appointments.