Policymakers and Policies

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review

Federalist 78 (Hamilton)

Judiciary branch isn't too powerful because it doesn't have the power of the purse or sword; can't tax, enforce laws, or bring the nation to war

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

Enumerated Powers of Congress

congressional powers specifically named in the Constitution (Article I, Section 8)

Implied Powers of Congress

Powers not specifically written in the Constitution.

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

Rules Committee (House)

13 members, Speaker appoints 9, proposed laws go through them before going to the House. They decide which bills get talked about, for how long, amendments added and when its brought to the floor

discharge petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

discretionary spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

budget deficit

a situation in which the government spends more than it takes in

pork-barrel legislation

legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Cabinet Departments

The fifteen largest and most influential agencies of the federal bureaucracy (e.g., Department of State, Treasury, Justice...) Headed by Secretary or Attorney General (Department of Justice)

trustee model

a model of representation in which a member of the House or Senate follows his or her own conscience when deciding issue positions

Delegate Model

Legislators should adhere to the will of their constituents

Politico Model

Members of Congress act as delegates or trustees depending on the issue

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Commander in Chief

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

executive order

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

State of the Union Address

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

Precedent (stare decisis)

a legal norm established in court cases that is then applied to future cases dealing with the same legal questions

Patronage

Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support

civil service

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.

independent agencies

agencies in the executive branch of the federal government formed by Congress to help enforce laws and regulations not covered by the executive departments

Congressional oversight of bureaucracy

The United States Congress has the authority to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the actions by the executive branch.