Gov Unit 4 Vocab

Bicameral

A legislature divided into two chambers, such as the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States, designed to provide checks and balances and ensure thorough debate before laws are enacted.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution, primarily listed in Article I, Section 8, such as the power to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

Implied Powers

Powers exercised by Congress that are not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are deemed necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated powers, as authorized by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer and highest-ranking member of the House of Representatives, responsible for overseeing House proceedings, guiding the legislative agenda, and maintaining order.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill by prolonging debate, often through continuous speeches or procedural delays.

Cloture

A parliamentary procedure in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring debate to a close, allowing for a vote on the matter at hand.

Rules Committee

A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that establishes the rules for debate on bills and determines how and when legislation will be considered, often called the "traffic cop" of the House.

House Ways and Means Committee

The oldest and most influential committee in the House, responsible for overseeing taxation, health care, Social Security, Medicare, and international trade.

Discharge Petition

A procedural tool in the House that allows a majority of members to force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote, bypassing committee leadership.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending that Congress decides on annually through the appropriations process, such as defense, education, and transportation.

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law, such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which does not require annual appropriations.

Entitlement Spending

A subset of mandatory spending that provides benefits to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Debt/Deficit

The national debt is the total amount of money the federal government owes, while the deficit is the amount by which government spending exceeds revenue in a given year.

Monetary Spending

Not a standard AP US Government term; likely refers to government spending financed by the Federal Reserve or monetary policy actions.

Fiscal Policy

The use of government spending and taxation to influence the economy, including decisions about the budget, deficits, and debt.

Pork Barrel Legislation

Legislation that provides funding for projects benefiting a specific district or group, often to gain political favor.

Logrolling

The practice of trading votes among legislators to secure passage of legislation, often involving mutual support for each other's bills.

Divided/United Government

Divided government occurs when one party controls the presidency and another controls Congress; united government occurs when the same party controls both.

Incumbency

The advantage held by current officeholders in elections, often due to name recognition and access to resources.

Partisanship Voting

Voting in Congress based on party affiliation rather than personal or constituent interests.

Polarization

The increasing ideological divide between political parties, leading to less compromise and more gridlock.

Gridlock

The inability of Congress to pass legislation due to partisan disagreement or procedural obstacles.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, usually after a census.

Reapportionment

The redistribution of seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population changes.

Trustee Model

The idea that elected officials should use their own judgment to make decisions in the best interest of the nation, rather than strictly following constituent wishes.

Delegate Model

The idea that elected officials should act as representatives of their constituents, voting according to the wishes of the people they represent.

Politico Model

The idea that elected officials balance the trustee and delegate models, considering both their own judgment and constituent preferences.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The group of agencies and offices that assist the president in carrying out executive duties, including the White House staff and the National Security Council.

The Cabinet

The group of top executive department heads who advise the president and oversee federal agencies.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law, used to manage federal operations and implement policy.

Executive Agreement

An agreement between the president and a foreign government that does not require Senate ratification.

Executive Privilege

The president's right to withhold information from Congress or the courts, based on the need for confidentiality in executive decision-making.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office.

25th Amendment

Outlines procedures for presidential succession and the transfer of power if the president is unable to serve.

Formal Powers of the Presidency

Powers explicitly granted to the president by the Constitution, such as commander-in-chief, treaty-making, and appointment powers.

Informal Power of the Presidency

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but exercised by the president, such as the bully pulpit and agenda-setting.

State of the Union

The annual address by the president to Congress, outlining the administration's agenda and priorities.

Bully Pulpit

The president's ability to use the office to influence public opinion and shape policy debates.

Bureaucracy

The administrative system of government, consisting of agencies and departments that implement and enforce laws.

Executive Departments

Major agencies of the federal government, such as the Department of Defense and Department of Education.

Independent Regulatory Agencies/Commissions

Agencies that regulate specific sectors of the economy, such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Independent Executive Agency

Agencies that operate outside the executive departments but are still part of the executive branch, such as the CIA and NASA.

Government Corporation

Government-owned businesses that provide services, such as the U.S. Postal Service.

Civil Service

The system of hiring and promoting government employees based on merit rather than political connections.

Patronage

The practice of awarding government jobs to political supporters.

Merit

The principle of hiring and promoting government employees based on qualifications and performance.

Iron Triangles

The close relationships among congressional committees, federal agencies, and interest groups that influence policy.

Power of the Purse

The authority of Congress to control government spending through the appropriations process