unit 2 ap go po

Rule of 4

At least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case

Amicus curiae

A “friend of the court” who submits briefs to provide information or arguments relevant to a case

Judicial activism

Judicial philosophy where courts interpret the Constitution loosely to promote social change

Delegate model

Representation model where elected officials act strictly according to constituents’ wishes

Non-germane

Amendments or provisions unrelated to the main subject of a bill

25th Amendment

Allows the vice president and Cabinet to remove a president deemed unfit for office

Legislative oversight

Congressional review of executive branch actions and agencies

20th and 22nd Amendments

20th sets inauguration dates; 22nd limits the president to two terms

Solicitor General

The Justice Department official who represents the U.S. before the Supreme Court

Bully pulpit

The president’s use of their position to influence public opinion

Omnibus

A large bill that combines multiple issues or spending measures

Federalist 51

Essay by James Madison arguing for separation of powers and checks and balances

Ways and Means Committee

House committee responsible for taxation and revenue measures

Line-item veto

Presidential power to veto specific parts of a bill (not allowed at the federal level)

27th Amendment

Prevents Congress from raising its own pay until after an election

Partisanship

Strong party loyalty that often leads to political polarization

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions of lower courts

Writ of certiorari

A Supreme Court order to review a lower court’s decision

Compliance monitoring

Use of bureaucratic rules and oversight to ensure agencies follow laws

Pendleton Act

Law that created a merit-based system for federal hiring

Writ of mandamus

A court order requiring a government official to perform a duty

Reprieve

Presidential postponement of a punishment

Cracking

Redrawing district boundaries to dilute the voting power of a grou