AP Gov Unit 2 Terms

Advice and Consent Power

The Senate’s authority to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties; a key check on the executive branch.

Bureaucracy

The system of federal agencies and departments that carry out public policy and enforce laws.

Cabinet

The heads of the 15 major executive departments who advise the president and oversee policy areas.

Entitlement Spending

Mandatory federal spending for programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

Executive order

A presidential directive to federal agencies that has the force of law.

US v Nixon (1974)

The Court ruled that executive privilege is not absolute, reinforcing checks on presidential power

Veto

The president’s power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

War Powers Act (1773)

Limits the president’s ability to use military force without congressional approval after 60 days.

Pocket Veto

When the president takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days, killing the bill.

Rule or Regulation (Bureaucracy)

A directive issued by a federal agency to implement legislation; has the force of law.

Baker v. Carr (1962(

Established “one person, one vote” and allowed courts to review redistricting cases.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Ruled that race-based gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause.

Conference Committee

joint committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Delegate (Congressional Role)

A representative who votes based on constituents’ preferences.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or block a vote by extending debate; can be ended by cloture (60 votes).

Gerrymandering

Drawing district lines to favor one party or group.

Incumbent

A current officeholder running for reelection

Speaker of the house

The leader of the House of Representatives and head of the majority party.

Majority Leader (senate)

The top member of the Senate’s majority party who sets the agenda and leads debate.

Minority Leader (senate)

The leader of the minority party in the Senate who organizes opposition.

Oversight Authority

Congress’s power to monitor and investigate the executive branch.

Polarization

The growing ideological divide between political parties.

Pork Barrel (Earmark)

Government spending on local projects to gain political support.

Redistricting

Redrawing congressional district lines based on census data.

Trustee (Congressional Role)

A representative who votes based on personal judgment rather than constituents’ wishes.

Amicus Curiea Briefs

“Friend of the court” briefs filed by outside groups to influence Supreme Court decisions.

Appellate Courts

Courts that review lower court decisions; focus on questions of law.

Civil Law

Laws dealing with disputes between individuals or groups, seeking compensation.

Criminal Law

Laws dealing with crimes against society, with punishments like fines or imprisonment.

District Courts

The lowest federal courts where trials are held and evidence is presented.

Judicial Activism

The belief that courts should interpret the Constitution to reflect modern values.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court’s power to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional

Judicial Restraint

The belief that courts should defer to elected branches and avoid policy-making.

Holding / Majority Opinion

The official decision and reasoning of the Court in a case; sets precedent.

Rule of Four

At least four justices must agree to hear a case for the Supreme Court to take it.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision.