US Government: Branches and Political Actors Study Set

A set of vocabulary flashcards detailing the powers, procedures, and roles of various political actors and branches of the US government as described in the lecture notes.

Presidential veto override

The power of Congress to counteract a presidential veto with a specific $\%$ of votes from both chambers.

Impeachment

A process where the House initiates hearings and the Senate conducts a trial for individuals committing treason, bribery, or "High Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Oversight

The Congressional power to initiate investigative hearings and subpoena executive branch officials to testify before committees.

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to hold hearings and confirm Presidential appointees.

Power of the purse

The legislative ability to increase or decrease budget appropriations for bureaucratic agencies or executive directives.

Grassroots

An interest group tactic asking members to contact their congressman or Senator to express support or disapproval for laws or nominees.

Amicus curiae briefs

Documents submitted to a court by interest groups in support of specific lawsuits.

Cabinet secretaries

Individuals selected by the President based on similar ideological concerns to direct the bureaucracy.

Executive orders

Informal presidential directives provided to bureaucratic agencies to circumvent the need for congressional approval.

Executive agreements

Informal negotiations conducted between the President and foreign countries.

Ninety-day troop limit

An informal presidential power to use troops for up to $90$ days in emergency situations.

Bureaucratic rule-making

The process where bureaucrats craft specific rules and regulations to implement legislation.

Initiative

A proposal by individual citizens to be placed on the ballot, available for state policies only.

Petition for certiorari

A request to the Supreme Court to hear a case, granted through the rule of $4$.

Judicial review

The power of the court to declare a state or federal law or regulation unconstitutional.

Remand

The judicial action of sending a case back to a lower court for further consideration of facts.