AP US Govt Chp 2 Vocab

Senate

One of the U.S. Congress’s two chambers, composed of 100 members (2 senators per state). They dictate policy decisions, the legislative process, and checks and balances

House of Representatives

One of the U.S. Congress’s two chambers, composed of elected representatives from each of the states’ districts based on apportioned population. They are responsible for making and passing federal laws. They primarily influence policy shaping, initiating revenue bills, and providing checks and balances.

Constituent

Individuals & groups that reside within a specific electoral district and are represented by an elected official in Congress. Their elected officials consider their needs and preferences to maintain support and legitimacy by influencing government policy and political decisions.

Revenue

The means of the government’s ability to fund its programs is by gaining money via several sources (income tax, corporate tax, leases, federal payment agencies) that are repurposed and reappropriated based on government priorities.

Tax Revenue

The funds a government collects from individuals and businesses through various forms of taxation are later used to fund public services and government operations.

Budget

Detailed financial plan that outlines the government’s expected revenue and proposed expenditures for a specific fiscal year. It reflects govt. priorities and policies. Which guide spending on various programs and services.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members. They oversee House proceedings & influence legislative agenda, appointing committee members, and ensuring that the House operates efficiently for shaping polices & communication between different factions within Congress

Filibuster

Tactic through which an individual senator may use the right of unlimited debate or other procedural means to delay a motion or postpone action on a piece of legislation. (requires supermajority of 3/5 to end debate)

Cloture

A procedure through which senators end a filibuster/close debates and proceed to action of voting, provided 3/5 of senators agree to it

Rules committee

Committee that determines when a bill will be subject to debate and vote on the House floor, how long the debate will last, and whether amendments will be allowed on the floor.

Committee of the whole

Consists of members of the House and meets in the House chamber, but is governed by different rules, making it easier to consider complex and controversial legislation

Discharge Petitions

Motion filed by a member of Congress to move a bill out of committee and onto the floor of the House of Representatives for a vote

Entitlements

Government-funded benefits that are available to individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria, regardless of financial need. It provides a social safety net, ensuring that access to essential services and resources is present.

Pork Barrel

Allocation of govt. funds for projects designed to please voters or legislators and win votes. This correlates with bringing federal money to local districts, which are used not for national priorities but for specific projects that gain favor from constituents (originally earmarked for the public now turned for political use).

Logrolling

Trading of votes on legislation by members of Congress to get their earmarks passed into legislation

Partisanship

Strong allegiance to a political party, influencing opinions, policies, and actions in government and policies. Inevitably leading to party affiliation rather than common ground being prioritized, afflicting legislative processes and judicial decisions.

One person, one vote

Principle asserts that each individual’s vote should carry weight in the electoral process, ensuring fairness and equality in democratic representation. This is vital for maintaining a representative democracy, measuring public opinion, balancing rights, and shaping legislative bodies.

Divided Government

A situation that occurs when control of the presidency and one or both chambers of Congress is split between the two major parties

Lame Duck

Elected official in the final period of their term, after a successor has been elected but before taking office. Leads to a decrease in political power and effectiveness as the outgoing president may be blocked by Congress for presidential initiatives, nominees, and legislation

Trustee Representative

The idea is that members of Congress should make decisions based on their knowledge and judgment for the best interests of their constituents rather than on public opinion.

Delegate Representative

The idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituent wishes rather than personal judgment

Politico Representative

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents for highly public issues and parties for complex/less visible matters in making decisions

Policy Agenda

A set of issues to which government officials, voters, and the public are paying attention. The media is most influential in reshaping this as they highlight certain issues, influence public opinion, and prompt govt. response

Veto

Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses and Congress (2/3 of each house required to ignore this)

Pocket Veto

Informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session. Congress cannot override this veto when not in session.

Line Item Veto

Power of an executive (governor) to reject specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation. Governors would use this power to remove expenditures or items from a budget while approving the rest of the bill, controlling the budget and legislative process

Commander in Chief

Role that the President of the US has as the highest-ranking military officer in the country, responsible for overseeing and directing military operations. It grants the President authority in national defense, deployment of troops, military strategies, and ensuring the security of the nation. It is explicitly outlined in the Constitution that the President is a civilian leader and a military authority

Executive Agreement

An agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty, but does not require a formal Senate ratification process. Results of this are managing foreign relations, addressing specific issues, and solidifying international commitments

Treaty

An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a 2/3 vote in the Senate to ratify

Executive Order

Policy directives for the federal govt. issued by the president that do not require congressional approval. It allows the president to enact policies, direct govt. agencies, and address pressing issues without needing congressional approval.

Cabinet

Group of high-ranking officials in the executive branch of govt., comprising heads of various depts. who advise the president and help implement policy decisions. This advisory body shapes national policies and is linked to the bureaucracy's functioning, overseeing the various depts. Responsible for executing laws and managing public services.

Signing Statement

Text issued by the president while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill, but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself.

Life Tenure

Practice of granting judges, particularly US federal judges, the right to hold their position for life unless they resign, retire, or are impeached. This ensures judicial independence by insulating judges from political pressures and allows them to make decisions based on the law and the Constitution.

Federalist

Supporter of the proposed Constitution, who called for a strong national government and system of checks and balances. They believed in a centralized govt. for maintaining order and ensuring the country’s survival.

22nd Amendment

Amendment that limits the president to two elected terms in office, or a maximum of ten years if they assumed the presidency via succession. This was to prevent concentration of power in the executive branch and reinforce democratic ideals.

State of the Union

Annual speech from the president to a joint session of Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs (administration goals, legislative agenda, and national priorities

Bully pulpit

Presidential appeals to the public (for agenda & influence of public opinion) to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies

Agenda setting

Media’s ability to highlight certain issues and bring them to the attention of the public. They determine which topics are prioritized for discussion and action, shaping public perceptions and policy outcomes.

Federalist 78

Argument by Alexander Hamilton that the federal judiciary would be most unlikely to infringe upon rights and liberties, but would serve as a check on the other two branches. He believes the judiciary is the weakest of the three govt. Branches due to a lack of influence, but serves as a guardian & interpreter of the laws to ensure constitutional principles are upheld

Judicial review

Authority of the Supreme Court to examine and invalidate a law or executive action if it conflicts with the Constitution

Precedent

Legal principle/rule established in a previous court case that is binding or persuasive in future cases with similar circumstances. It ensures consistency and predictability in law, ensuring fair and just trials.

Stare decisis

Legal principle of ‘to stand by things decided’, emphasizing the importance of precedent for the judicial decision-making process and of letting a previous legal decision stand. It essentially applies precedents through legal obligation.

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first, which includes the finding of facts in the case. (determined by factors of case type, geography, and level of govt. involved) It establishes the legal boundaries within which a court can operate for appropriate rulings.

Appellate

The authority of a court to hear and review decisions made by lower courts in that system, but cannot conduct trials (corrects legal errors and promotes fairness and justice in the judicial process)

Judicial activism

The philosophy of constitutional interpretation is that justices should wield the power of judicial review, sometimes creating new, bold policies and precedents or changing existing ones to protect individual rights and advance societal changes.

Judicial restraint

The philosophy of constitutional interpretation that asserts justices should be cautious in overturning laws that uphold precedents set by the legislative and executive branches. This promotes stability and continuity in the legal system.

Confirmation

Process by which the Senate approves or rejects presidential appointments to the federal judiciary (Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, and district court judges). This is necessary to check the judicial branch, ensuring that the appointed judges are qualified and suitable for the role. (Process is presidential nomination, then hearings before Senate committees, and a final vote from the Senate)

Issue network

Webs of influence between various stakeholders, such as interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

Iron Triangle

Coordinated and mutually beneficial activities of the bureaucracy/govt. agencies, congressional committees/subcommittees, and interest groups to achieve shared policy goals.

Bureaucracy

A system of administration of departments and agencies within the executive branch that manages and organizes government functions and laws via a hierarchical structure & set of formal rules and procedures.

Government Corporation

Entities created by the govt. to provide specific services that private businesses have but are important for government use. These corporations operate in the commercial sector, funded by government appropriations, and generate their own revenue.

Merit system

System of hiring and promotion based on competitive testing results, education, and other qualifications rather than politics and personal connections/patronage. Purpose is to create a competent & efficient workforce in the public sector.

Patronage

Providing government/administrative positions, contract, or other benefits as a reward for support, rather than merit

Discretionary spending

Spending of the federal budget for programs and policies is at the discretion of Congress’s annual appropriation process and the president

Oversight

Efforts by Congress to ensure that executive branch agencies, bureaus, and cabinet departments, as well as their officials, are acting legally, in accordance with congressional goals, and effectively

Power of the purse

Constitutional power of Congress to control govt. spending and taxation, serving as a check on the executive branch. It enables Congress to influence policy decisions via determining fund allocations, resulting in influence over foreign and domestic affairs.

Appropriation

The process through which congressional committees allocate federal funds for specific govt. expenditures to executive branch agencies, bureaus, and departments