AP Gov ch11-12

Pocket Veto

A veto that takes effect when the president doesn’t act on a bill and Congress adjourns within ten days

Inherent Powers

Authority claimed by the president that’s not clearly specified in the Constitution. Typically inferred from the Constitution.

Executive Orders

A presidential directive that tells the executive branch officials and agencies to create/modify public policies without direct approval from Congress.

Signing Statement

A statement issued by the president declaring his interpretation of legislation being signed into law

Presidential Memorandum

A presidential policy directive similar to an executive order, but not published in the Federal Register

Delegation of Powers

Congress giving the executive branch additional authority needed to address new problems

Proclamation

Presidential statement declaring their intention to use their formal/delegated powers

Cabinet

Presidential advisors; the heads of executive departments and other key officials

Gridlock

When the government can’t act on important issues

Legislative Liaison Staff

People who act as communications between the White House and Congress, advising the president or cabinet secretaries on the status of pending legislation

Executive Agreement

A pact between the heads of two countries that doesn’t require Senate ratification

War Powers Resolution

An act of Congress that forces that body to decide whether a commitment of troops into a war zone is permissible

National Security Directives

A highly classified presidential order that guides national security policy

Executive Privilege

The right of a president to maintain confidential executive branch communications in some circumstances, declaring immunity from subpoenas and info requests made by Congress and the courts

Subpoena

A command issued by a government agency, court, or authorized attorney requiring someone to appear to testify or produce documents/evidence

Trustee

Government elected official authorized to use their own judgement to act in the best interests of the public

Delegate

Elected officials authorized to represent/act/vote on the behalf of their constituents

Lame Duck

A representative at the end of their term with reduced accountability

Politico

A politician or person with strong political views

Baker v. Carr

Federal courts have jurisdiction to hear lawsuits challenging unequal redistricting under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause

Article 2

President can enforce law, manage foreign affairs, grant pardons, make treaties, appoint ambassadors and judges, and act as commander-in-chief

Article 1, Section 8

Congress’ powers include taxing, borrowing money, regulating commerce, declaring war, and maintaining the armed forces

Oversight

Monitoring executive branch agencies and implementation to ensure accountability, efficiency, and compliance with laws

Reorganization

Congress can change a government agency’s functions/duties

Cloture

Senate procedure that limits debate and forces a vote on legislation, allowing the body to bypass a filibuster

Filibuster

A minority of senators attempt to delay/block a vote by speaking indefinitely

Logrolling

Politicians trade votes or support on different bills to benefit each other

Reapportionment

Redistribution of HoRs among the states based on population change

Gerrymandering

Redistricting in a way to benefit one political party

Casework

Solving problems for constituents, especially problems involving government agencies

Descriptive Representation

A belief that constituents are best represented by legislators who fit their key demographics (race, ethnicity, gender, religion)

Select Committee

A temporary committee for a specific purpose and disbanded after that purpose is fulfilled

Standing Committee

A permanent congressional committee that specializes in a particular policy area

Conference Committee

A temporary committee made to work out differences between the House and Senate versions of a specific piece of legislation

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the HoR

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in the Senate; the second-highest ranking member of the majority party in the House

Parliamentary System

System of gov in which the chief executive is the leader whose party holds the most seats in the legislature after an election or whose party forms a major part of the ruling coalition

Earmarks

Federal funds appropriated by Congress for use on local projects

Direct/Mandatory Spending

Spending that is not subject to the appropriations process/legal authority for them provided by authorizations

Markup Session

Congressional committee meeting where members debate, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation before it proceeds to the floor