AP US Gov Test 2/20 v2

Baker v. Carr (1962)

Established the principle of 'one person, one vote,' allowing federal courts to hear cases about legislative redistricting under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause, even if done with good intentions.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Article I of the U.S. Constitution

Establishes the legislative branch (Congress) and its powers.

Article II of the U.S. Constitution

Establishes the executive branch and presidential powers.

Article III of the U.S. Constitution

Establishes the judicial branch and the Supreme Court's jurisdiction.

Federalist 70

Alexander Hamilton argues for a strong, single executive to ensure accountability, energy, and decisive leadership.

Federalist 78

Hamilton defends the judiciary's independence and promotes judicial review, stating courts should protect constitutional rights.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending directed toward specific projects in a legislator's district to gain political support.

Logrolling

A practice where legislators trade votes to secure the passage of their favored bills.

Oversight

Congress's ability to monitor and review the executive branch's implementation of laws through hearings and investigations.

Constituency

The residents of a district or state represented by an elected official.

Apportionment

The process of distributing congressional seats among states based on census population data.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district boundaries after each census.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party.

Partisan Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to give one political party an electoral advantage.

Majority-Minority Districts

Electoral districts where a racial or ethnic minority makes up the majority.

Malapportionment

Unequal distribution of voters among districts, violating the 'one person, one vote' principle.

Incumbency

The status of already holding an elected office.

Incumbency Advantage

The electoral edge enjoyed by current officeholders due to name recognition and constituent services.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, second in line for presidential succession.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organizations that raise and spend money to influence elections or legislation.

House Majority Leader

The second-ranking member of the House majority party, assisting the Speaker in legislative planning.

Whip

Party leaders who ensure members vote according to the party line.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party in either the House or Senate, acting as the chief strategist.

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson and legislative strategist for the majority party in the Senate.

Committee Chair

The head of a congressional committee, overseeing hearings and managing legislation.

Discharge Petition

A procedure in the House to force a bill out of committee for a floor vote with majority support.

House Rules Committee

Sets the terms for debate, including time limits and amendment procedures for bills.

Committee of the Whole

A House procedure allowing faster consideration of legislation with a reduced quorum.

Hold

A Senate procedure where a senator temporarily blocks the consideration of a bill.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate to set terms for considering a bill, requiring all senators' consent.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator speaks indefinitely to block or delay a vote.

Cloture

A Senate vote requiring 60 votes to end a filibuster and proceed to a vote.

Veto

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

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Assists the president in preparing the federal budget and overseeing agencies' performance.

Entitlement Program

Government programs providing benefits to eligible individuals regardless of income.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law for entitlement programs and interest on the national debt.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that Congress must approve annually.

Budget Surplus

When government revenues exceed expenditures in a fiscal year.

Budget Deficit

When government expenditures exceed revenues in a fiscal year.

National Debt

The total amount of money the government owes from borrowing.

Delegate Role

A model of representation where legislators vote based on constituents' preferences.

Trustee Role

A model where legislators vote based on their judgment, even if it contradicts constituents' views.

Politico Role

A hybrid model where legislators act as delegates or trustees depending on the issue.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between political parties to achieve common goals.

Gridlock

A political stalemate where government action is stalled due to divided control.

Divided Government

When one party controls the presidency and the other controls one or both congressional houses.

Lame Duck Period

The period between an election and when new officials take office, reducing outgoing officials' influence.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, headed by the president.

Formal (Enumerated) Powers

Constitutionally granted powers of the president, such as vetoing bills.

Informal Powers

Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as executive orders.

Treaty

A formal agreement between countries requiring Senate approval.

State of the Union Address

The president's annual speech to Congress outlining their legislative agenda.

Pocket Veto

When the president ignores a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days, killing the bill.

Presidential Pardon

The president's power to forgive a person for a federal crime.

Executive Privilege

The president's right to withhold information from Congress for national security reasons.

Executive Agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

Signing Statement

A statement issued by the president when signing a bill, explaining their interpretation.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president carrying the force of law without congressional approval.

War Powers Resolution (1973)

Limits the president's ability to commit troops without congressional approval.

Impeachment

The process by which Congress can remove officials for high crimes and misdemeanors.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The group of presidential advisers and agencies assisting the president in governing.

Bargaining and Persuasion

The president's informal power to influence Congress and others.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of their platform to promote their agenda and sway public opinion.

Going Public

When the president appeals directly to the public to pressure Congress.

Federal Judiciary

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws under the Constitution.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the U.S., with both original and appellate jurisdiction.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first before any other court.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional.

Criminal Law

Laws dealing with actions considered harmful to society, prosecuted by the government.

Civil Law

Laws dealing with disputes between individuals or organizations.

Federal District Courts

The lowest level of the federal court system, where trials are held.

Federal Courts of Appeals

Intermediate federal courts that review cases from district courts.

Precedent

A judicial decision that serves as a rule for future cases.

Stare Decisis

The principle of following established precedents in court rulings.

Majority Opinion

The official opinion of the Supreme Court, reflecting the view of the majority of justices.

Concurring Opinion

A separate opinion written by a justice agreeing with the majority but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority ruling.

Judicial Restraint

The belief that courts should defer to elected branches and avoid overturning laws.

Judicial Activism

The belief that courts should actively interpret the Constitution to address societal issues.

Federal Bureaucracy

The large system of government agencies and departments implementing and enforcing federal laws.

Bureaucrat

A government official who works in the federal bureaucracy.

Political Patronage

The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters.

Pendleton Act (1883)

Established the merit system for federal hiring, ending the spoils system.

Federal Civil Service

The system of hiring and promoting government employees based on merit.

Merit System

A hiring system based on qualifications and performance rather than political favoritism.

Iron Triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Issue Network

A broader coalition of interest groups, experts, and government officials influencing policy.

Implementation

The process by which bureaucratic agencies carry out laws passed by Congress.

Bureaucratic Discretion

The authority of bureaucrats to interpret and implement laws as they see fit.

Regulation

The process of creating and enforcing rules within the bureaucracy.

Bureaucratic Adjudication

The process by which bureaucratic agencies settle disputes and enforce regulations.