Government Structure and Judicial Principles Study Guide

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the U.S. government structure, judicial principles, and the roles and responsibilities of various branches as outlined in the lecture notes.

Bureaucracy

A large organization structured hierarchically to carry out a specific function.

Bicameralism

A legislature with two houses (House + Senate).

Money Bills

Bills that are introduced in the House of Representatives.

Line-item veto

Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Amicus curiae brief

Filed by a third party with interest in the outcome, meaning 'friend of the court'.

Judicial Review

The power of the judicial branch to check the other branches and determine whether laws are constitutional.

Stare decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Habeas Corpus

The right to defend oneself and not be unlawfully detained.

War Powers Resolution

Requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops and limits troop deployment to 60 days without Congressional approval.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, led by the President.

Dred Scott (1857)

The Supreme Court case that found a legislative act to be unconstitutional.

Congressional Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to resolve disagreements on a bill.

Judiciary Act of 1789

Established the federal court system and the position of attorney general.

Chief Justice

The highest-ranking judge in the Supreme Court, currently John Roberts.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Found in Article One, Section 8, Clause 18; allows Congress to make any laws necessary to execute its powers.

Midnight Judges

Judges nominated by President John Adams the day before his inauguration to ensure federalist influence.

Rule of Four

The principle that at least four justices must agree to grant a writ of certiorari.

Federal Bureaucracy

A government system aimed at performing efficiently and saving taxpayer money.

Constitutional qualifications for the House

Must be at least 25 years old, a resident of the US for 7 years, and live in the same district they represent.

Petitions for Supreme Court review

About 7,000-9,000 are submitted each year.

Separation of Powers

A model of governance where the legislative, executive, and judicial powers are divided among separate bodies.

Judiciary's Duty (Marbury v Madison)

To say what the law is.

Power of the Purse

The influence that financial resources give Congress over other branches of government.

Political Gerrymandering

Redistricting for political advantage, which the Supreme Court ruled is not a justiciable question.

Executive Privilege

The right claimed by presidents to keep certain communications confidential.

Chief Executive's Responsibilities

Enforce acts of Congress, federal court judgments, and treaties.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Supreme Court's Appellate Jurisdiction

Determined by Congress.