AP GOV UNIT 2

Bicameral

The congress is considered bicameral because it is made up of two separate houses.

House of Representatives

Apportioned by population, more connected to their voters, elected every 2 years, and has 435 members.

Senate

Apportioned equally, less connected to their voters, elected every 6 years, and has 100 members.

Coalitions

Form among legislatures working together to advance or defeat a bill.

Enumerated Powers

Power explicitly listed in Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Nicknamed the 'elastic clause' because it allows the power of Congress to expand to meet the needs of the United States.

Speaker of the House

The only leader for the House of Representatives listed in the Constitution.

Whips

In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, whips render part of the discipline and ensure party members follow main goals.

Vice President

The president of the Senate, who usually doesn’t vote unless there is a tie.

Senate Majority Leader

The most powerful position in the Senate, setting the legislative agenda.

Committees

Small groups of lawmakers that allow for debate and drafting legislation.

Standing Committee

A committee that endures for a long time.

Joint Committee

Committees that have members of both the House and Senate.

Select Committee

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose.

Conference Committee

Committee that reconciles two versions of a bill.

House Rules Committee

This committee decides which bills make it to the floor for debate.

Committee of the Whole

A procedural move that allows all members of the House to debate and propose amendments.

Discharge Petition

Allows for a bill that is stuck in a committee to be brought out for consideration by a majority vote.

Filibuster

An action that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly.

Cloture Rule

Requires two-thirds of senators to shut down a filibuster.

Unanimous Consent

Uses agreement to limit debate and move legislation quickly.

Hold

An informal practice where a senator informs Senate leadership of their objection to a bill.

Riders

Additions to bills by legislators that can be non-relevant.

Pork Barrel Spending

Funds earmarked for special projects in a representative's district.

Logrolling

When lawmakers agree to vote for each other's bills.

Mandatory Spending

Payments required by law.

Discretionary Spending

Money allocated by Congress.

Entitlement Spending

Spending required for required programs.

Deficit

The gap between the budget and available funds.

Ideological Divisions

Differences in beliefs that shape political opinions.

Political Polarization

The growing ideological distance between political parties.

Gridlock

A stalled legislative process due to disagreement.

Hyperpluralism

Multiple groups become so strong that government is unable to function.

Divided Government

When the presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.

Lame Duck

A president in the last year of their presidency with little power.

Trustee Model

A representative that acts according to their best judgment.

Delegate Model

A representative that votes according to voters' will.

Politico Model

A representative that blends trustee and delegate models.

Census

A population count required every 10 years.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats among states based on census data.

Redistricting

Redrawing boundaries of electoral districts for fair representation.

Baker v. Carr

Established 'one person, one vote' principle in legislative redistricting.

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one group over another.

Shaw v. Reno

Addressed constitutionality of racially gerrymandered districts.

Formal Powers of the Executive Branch

Veto legislation, commander-in-chief, executive agreements.

Informal Powers of the Executive Branch

Pocket veto, bargaining, executive orders.

Veto

Active process where the president prevents a bill from becoming law.

Pocket Veto

Passive process where a bill does not become law if no action is taken in 10 days.

Treaty

Formal agreements between sovereign states requiring Senate ratification.

Executive Agreement

International agreements made without Senate approval.

Executive Orders

Official directives issued to manage federal government operations.

Signing Statement

Allows the president to express interpretation of laws.

Presidential Appointment

Authority of the president to nominate individuals for key positions.

Senate Confirmation

Process by which the Senate approves presidential nominations.

Federalist 70

Hamilton's argument for a strong executive leader.

Bully Pulpit

Platform for the president to advocate for their agenda.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech delivered by the president to Congress.

Supreme Court

9 Justices with appellate and original jurisdiction.

U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

12 courts with appellate jurisdiction.

U.S. District Court

94 courts with original jurisdiction.

Federalist 78

Hamilton's discussion on the role of the judiciary.

Judicial Review

The power to declare laws constitutional or unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

Established principle of judicial review.

Precedents

Binding templates for future judicial decisions.

Stare Decisis

Legal principle meaning 'to stand by things decided.'

Judicial Activism

Judges actively interpret laws and create new precedents.

Judicial Restraint

Judges limit their own power and uphold established laws.

Bureaucracy

A large system of administration in government.

Cabinet Secretary

High-ranking officials heading executive departments.

Agencies

Smaller subdivisions of executive departments.

Commissions

Regulatory groups operating independently from presidential authority.

Government Corporations

Hybrid of government and business serving public good.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

Power given to bureaucracy to implement rules.

Compliance Monitoring

Power given to hold industries accountable for compliance.

Iron triangles

Bureaucratic agency, congressional committee, and interest group collaboration.

Patronage System

Appointments based on political support rather than qualifications.

Merit System

Selecting candidates based on ability, knowledge, and skills.