U.S. Government and Politics: Key Concepts and Amendments

Primary role of the President as "Chief Executive"?

To ensure that federal laws are properly executed and enforced

Which power allows the President to reject legislation?

Veto

A line-item veto (as it applies to the president of the U.S.)

is unconstitutional, allowed canceling portions of bills/ illegal

Which of these institutions checks the President through impeachment?

Legislative

The President's role as Commander-in-Chief refers to:

control over military forces

Which of the following requires Senate approval?

Appointments and treaties

What is the State of the Union address?

Annual message to Congress proposing a legislative/presidential agenda

Which amendment limits presidents to two terms?

22nd amendment

What is a "bully pulpit"?

Providing an opportunity to speak out and listen to

What is divided government?

One party controls the presidency, another controls the House of Congress

The Federal Reserve is responsible for:

managing the nation's monetary policy. Control inflation, promote job growth, and stablize the economy

What is the main goal of the Federal Reserve?

To promote employment and keep inflation in check

What is an interest rate?

Amount charged by a lender to a borrower for the use of assets

When the Fed cuts interest rates, what usually happens?

Stimulates growth by making borrowing cheaper

Who appoints the Chair of the Federal Reserve?

Appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate

Very simply put, what is inflation?

Increase in prices and fall in purchase value

The federal bureaucracy primarily:

implements and administers federal laws and programs

What is an "iron triangle"?

Alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups Relationship between 3 parties.

What is agency capture?

Agency advances concerns of special interest groups it regulates.

Which is an example of a federal agency?

FBI, DEA, DOJ

What do bureaucrats typically do?

Rulemaking Administer programs

Rulemaking refers to:

process executive agencies use to create new laws or regulations

Particularly powerful institution that wields a lot of influence over bureaucratic agencies:

Wall Street

Judicial review (established in Marbury v. Madison) allows:

To interpret laws and determine their constitutionality

The Supreme Court is the highest court in:

the US

Federal judges are appointed by:

the president and confirmed by the senate

Federal judges serve:

Life

What is judicial activism?

Judges making rulings based on personal or political considerations

What is judicial restraint?

Judges limiting the exercise of their own power.

Civil liberties are:

Freedoms that protect citizens from government abuse

The Fourth Amendment protects against:

unreasonable search and seizures

What is due process?

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

Net neutrality refers to:

internet service providers treating all data on the internet the same

Interest groups aim to:

influence public policy decision-making

Lobbying is:

attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of officials.

What is a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

Campaign fundraising

What is an example of an interest group tactic?

Filling lawsuits

Which clause of the United States Constitution establishes that federal law takes precedence over conflicting state laws?

McCulloch v Maryland Supremacy Clause

Under the Controlled Substances Act, how is marijuana currently classified at the federal level?

Schedule 3

Which amendment is cited for states not cooperating in the federal law enforcement efforts against marijuana once they legalize it at the state level?

10th amendment