APGOV Unit 2 Review

Vocabulary flashcards based on the Heimler's History Unit 2 Review Guide covering the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of the U.S. Government.

Bicameral

Having two branches or chambers in a legislative body.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Clause allowing Congress to pass laws required to carry out enumerated powers; also known as the 'elastic clause'.

Filibuster

A legislative technique used in the Senate to delay or block a bill by talking for a very long time.

Cloture Rule

A rule requiring a supermajority (usually 60 votes in the Senate) to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote.

Riders

Non-relevant amendments added to bills, often containing benefits for a representative’s agenda.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funds earmarked in a bill for special projects in a representative’s district.

Logrolling

An agreement between lawmakers to vote for each other’s bills.

Deficit

The gap between a budget and the funds available; occurs when the government spends more money than it makes.

Divided Government

A situation where the presidency and Congress are controlled by different political parties.

Lame Duck

A president in the final period of office, after a successor has been elected.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one group over another, giving an advantage to one side.

Veto

The power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

A passive way for the president to kill a bill by not acting on it when there are less than ten days left in the congressional session.

Treaty

A formal agreement between nations that requires Senate ratification.

Executive Agreement

A contract between the president and another world leader that does not require Senate ratification.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law for the federal bureaucracy and military.

Signing Statement

A written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States upon the signing of a bill into law.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws as constitutional or unconstitutional.

Precedent

A previous court decision that serves as a binding template for future judicial decisions.

Judicial Activism

A proactive role for the courts in shaping public policy.

Judicial Restraint

A limited role for the courts, deferring to other branches of government for policy creation.

Bureaucracy

A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

The power given to the bureaucracy by Congress that gives them the discretion on how to make rules and carry out law.

Compliance Monitoring

The power given to the bureaucracy to establish rules for certain industries and then hold those industries accountable for complying with those rules.

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Patronage System

Government appointments based on political support, connections, and loyalty rather than qualifications.

Merit System

Selecting candidates for government jobs based on their demonstrated ability, knowledge, and skills through competitive exams or other objective criteria.