AP Government & politics Unit II Study plan Ultimate Study Guide

House of Representatives

Composed of $435$ voting members, it represents the people directly based on state population.

Senate

Composed of $100$ senators, it represents the states equally with $2$ senators per state.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing the $435$ House seats among the states every $10$ years based on population counts.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional district boundaries within a state following reapportionment.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing legislative district boundaries to benefit a specific political party or group.

Filibuster

A Senate-specific procedural tactic used to delay or obstruct action on legislation or nominations.

Cloture

Formal mechanism used to end debate in the Senate, typically requiring a three-fifths ($\frac{3}{5}$) supermajority.

Logrolling

The reciprocal exchange of political favors and votes between lawmakers to ensure the passage of each other's bills.

Enumerated Powers

Authorities and duties explicitly written in the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Authorities not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from enumerated powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Casework

Direct assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents resolving issues with federal agencies.

Pork Barrel

Legislative appropriations directing federal funding to benefit local constituents and economic interests.

Standing Committee

A permanent legislative committee dedicated to a specific policy jurisdiction.

Select Committee

A temporary committee formed for a designated purpose or to investigate a specific issue.

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate to carry out studies or oversight.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton defending judicial independence and life tenure for judges.

Marbury v. Madison

A Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy wherein judges defer to policies enacted by elected bodies and do not strike down laws unless in clear conflict with the Constitution.

Judicial Activism

Decisions where judges are seen as taking an expansive role in interpreting constitutional provisions.

Writ of Certiorari

An official order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send records for review.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A 'friend of the court' brief filed by interested outsiders providing additional arguments or data to assist the Court.

Majority Opinion

The official opinion representing the views of more than half of the justices, forming the binding legal decision.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion by justices agreeing with the ruling but wishing to express alternate reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion by justices disagreeing with the majority ruling, articulating reasons for their opposition.