AP U.S. Government & Politics Key Terms

Flashcards for U.S. Government & Politics Key Terms

A two-chamber legislative body, such as the U.S. Congress, which is divided into the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Bicameral legislature

A proposed piece of legislation that requires approval from both houses of Congress and the president's signature to become law.

Bill

The powerful committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate and amendments on most legislation.

House Rules Committee

Government spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support.

Pork barrel

A group of members of Congress sharing some interest or characteristic, often from the same party.

Caucus

Leaders of congressional committees, who have significant power over legislation in their area.

Committee chairs

Current officeholders who are seeking reelection.

Incumbents

A group of presidential advisers, composed of the heads of the executive departments and other key officials.

Cabinet

A temporary panel formed to reconcile differences in legislation that has passed both chambers of Congress in different forms.

Conference committee

Committees that include members from both the House and Senate to address specific issues.

Joint committees

Temporary committees created to deal with specific issues or investigations.

Select committees

Permanent committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas.

Standing committees

A system in Congress where members with the longest service are given preference for committee assignments and leadership roles.

Seniority system

The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision (declared unconstitutional in INS v. Chadha).

Legislative veto

A presidential veto occurring when Congress adjourns within ten days of submitting a bill, and the president does not sign it.

Pocket veto

A legislative motion that authorizes the government to spend money.

Appropriations bill

A type of legislation that creates programs and specifies how much money can be spent on them.

Authorization bill

A financial plan for the use of government funds, detailing anticipated revenues and expenditures.

Budget

Government benefits that must be paid to all who meet the eligibility requirements (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).

Entitlements

A federal program that provides health insurance to people over 65 and certain younger people with disabilities.

Medicare

The chief tax-writing committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.

House Ways and Means

The amount by which government expenditures exceed revenue.

Deficit

A federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources.

Medicaid

Revenue losses attributed to tax provisions that allow special exclusions, exemptions, or deductions.

Tax expenditures

A tax imposed by the government on individuals' and corporations' earnings.

Income tax

The total amount of money that the government owes to creditors.

Federal debt

The financial resources of the federal government, largely derived from taxes.

Revenues

The 1935 law that created Social Security and provided welfare benefits for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled.

Social Security Act

uncontroable expenditures

Government spending that is determined by existing obligations and the number of eligible beneficiaries.

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials responsible for implementing policy.

Bureaucracy

Government agencies that operate like businesses, providing services that could be handled by the private sector (e.g., USPS).

Governmental corporations

The strong, stable relationships among agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Iron triangles

The idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and performance rather than political connections.

Merit principle

The permanent professional branches of a government's administration.

Civil service

Agencies that exist outside the federal executive departments but report directly to the president.

Ind. executive agencies

A government agency responsible for regulating specific economic activities or interests.

Ind. regulatory agency

A law passed in 1883 that created a merit-based civil service system.

Pendleton Act

An economic system in which trade, industries, and the means of production are largely or entirely privately owned and operated for profit.

Capitalism

A tradition in which nominations for federal judicial positions are not confirmed if opposed by a senator from the president's party and the state of the nominee.

Senatorial courtesy

A philosophy of judicial decision-making that asserts courts should allow the decisions of other branches to stand, even if they offend the judge's principles.

Judicial restraint

How and whether court decisions are translated into actual policy.

Judicial implementation

Government regulations that aim to prevent monopolies and promote competition.

Antitrust policy

A statement that explains the reasoning behind a judicial decision.

Opinion

The power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Judicial review

Federal courts that review decisions of district courts and federal agencies.

Courts of appeal

The highest federal court in the United States, with the power of final judicial review.

Supreme Court

A judicial decision that serves as a rule for settling subsequent cases of a similar nature.

Precedent

The lowest level of federal courts, where federal cases begin and trials are held.

District court

A philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges are willing to strike down laws and policies even if it involves active role-making.

Judicial activism

The principle that similar cases should be decided in the same way as past cases.

Stare decisis

The idea that judges should interpret the Constitution based on the original intentions of the framers.

Original intent

Legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" to provide additional perspectives on a case.

Amicus curiae briefs

Lawsuits in which a small number of people sue on behalf of all others similarly affected.

Class action suits

The authority of a court to hear a case first.

Original jurisdiction

Issues capable of being settled as a matter of law.

Justiciable disputes

Government workers who directly interact with citizens, such as police officers and social workers.

Street-level bureaucrats

The power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts.

Appellate jurisdiction