Unit 3 Vocab

17th Amendment

Allowed direct election of senators by the people instead of state legislatures.

20th Amendment

Changed the start date for the president and Congress (President takes office on January 20 instead of March 4).

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms (or a max of 10 years if they took over mid-term).

25th Amendment

Established presidential succession and procedures for replacing a disabled or incapacitated president.

16th Amendment

Gave Congress the power to collect income taxes.

Pendleton Civil Service

Ended the spoils system; government jobs must be based on merit, not political loyalty.

Hatch Act

Limits political activities of federal employees (e.g., they can’t campaign while on duty).

War Powers Resolution

• Requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops.

• Congress must approve military action within 60 days or troops must be withdrawn

Budget and Impoundment Control Act

• Limited the president’s power over the budget.

• Created the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to check the president’s budget.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

Set limits on campaign contributions and required candidates to disclose donors.

Civil Service Reform Act

• Reformed the hiring process for government workers.

• Created the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to oversee federal employees.

Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (1974)

• Prevented the president from refusing to spend money Congress allocated.

• Established the budget resolution process in Congress.

Pluralism

Many groups compete for influence; no one dominates.

Elite & Class Theory

The wealthy control politics through money and influence.

Hyperpluralism

Too many groups cause gridlock (nothing gets done).

Iron Triangle

Congress, Bureaucracy, and Interest Groups working together to influence policy.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats based on the census

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Introduced → Committee → Debate → Vote → President

Inherent Powers

Not listed in the Constitution but assumed (e.g., Louisiana Purchase).

Expressed Powers

Specifically listed in the Constitution (e.g., veto, commander-in-chief).

Federalist #51

Argues for separation of powers & checks and balances to prevent tyranny.

Federalist #70

Argues for a strong executive (president) for effective government.

Trustee

Legislators vote based on their own judgment and what they believe is best for the country, even if it goes against what their constituents want.

Delegate

Legislators vote based on the direct wishes of their constituents, acting as a mouthpiece for the people.

Politcio

Legislators balance acting as a trustee and a delegate depending on the issue.