Landmark Legislation to Know for AP US Government

Civil Rights Act of 1964

A comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at eradicating discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, marking a significant step toward achieving racial equality in the United States.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A critical legislative measure designed to eliminate various discriminatory voting practices that disenfranchised African Americans and other minority groups, thereby securing their right to vote.

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) of 1935

A crucial law that protects the rights of workers to organize unions and engage in collective bargaining, alongside establishing the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to oversee labor relations.

Social Security Act of 1935

An essential program created to provide financial assistance through retirement benefits, disability income, and unemployment insurance to ensure the economic security of the elderly and vulnerable populations.

Clean Air Act of 1970

A landmark federal law aimed at regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and the environment by reducing air pollution.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990

A significant civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, ensuring equal opportunities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, and communication.

Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965

A pivotal law that reformed previous immigration policies by eliminating discriminatory quotas based on nationality and promoting family reunification and skilled immigration.

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) of 2010

A comprehensive health care reform law designed to increase health insurance coverage, improve access to healthcare services, and reduce healthcare costs for individuals and the government.

Patriot Act of 2001

Legislation enacted to enhance national security and surveillance capabilities following the September 11 attacks, allowing for greater monitoring of communications and funding potentially associated with terrorism.

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971

A law that regulates campaign financing in federal elections by setting limits on campaign contributions and expenditures, while ensuring transparency through public disclosure of campaign donors.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

A federal agency established to enforce civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, overseeing complaints related to employment bias based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

A federal agency created to oversee and enforce labor laws, resolving disputes between unions and employers while protecting the rights of workers to organize.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

An independent agency of the U.S. government tasked with protecting human health and the environment by enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress.

Individual mandate (Affordable Care Act)

A provision requiring all individuals to have health insurance coverage or pay a penalty; this rule was repealed in 2019, removing the financial incentive for purchasing health insurance.

Sneak-and-peek warrants

Judicially authorized search warrants that allow law enforcement to conduct searches without immediate notification to the property owner, typically used in terrorism and drug investigations.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

An independent regulatory agency responsible for enforcing federal campaign finance laws and overseeing the public funding of federal elections.

15th Amendment

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude,' strengthened by the Voting Rights Act.

Payroll tax system

A taxation system used to fund Social Security and Medicare programs, typically involving deductions from workers' paychecks to finance these social insurance programs.

Discriminatory voter suppression practices

Methods aimed at restricting voter access, particularly for minority communities, which were outlawed under the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Systemic barriers to voting

Long-standing institutional practices and policies that hinder certain groups from voting, which were addressed and dismantled by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Retirement benefits

Financial payments provided to individuals who have retired, primarily from the Social Security program, ensuring a source of income during retirement.

Health insurance marketplaces

Platforms established under the Affordable Care Act where individuals and families can compare and purchase health insurance plans, facilitating access to affordable coverage.

Terrorism financing measures

Provisions and regulations put in place by the Patriot Act to prevent and combat the financing of terrorism, enhancing law enforcement's ability to track and disrupt financial flows related to terrorist activities.

Campaign contributions and expenditures

Financial donations made to political candidates, parties, or committees, which are regulated and capped by the Federal Election Campaign Act to promote transparency and fairness in campaign financing.

Public disclosure of campaign donations

A requirement under the Federal Election Campaign Act that mandates candidates and parties to publicly disclose their campaign contributions and expenditures, ensuring transparency in electoral financing.