AP Gov/Pol Unit 2 Vocabulary

Divided Government

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Gridlock

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

War Powers Act of 1973

In 1973, Congress passed this law which requires that soldiers sent into military action overseas by the President be brought back within sixty days unless Congress approves the action.

Iron Triangle

The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

Reapportionment Act 1929

act that provides for a permanent size of the house and for the number of seats, based on the census, each state should have

Presidential Succession

the order in which officials fill the office of president in case of a vacancy

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

establishes the line of succession to the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States in the event that neither a President nor Vice President is able to "discharge the powers and duties of the office".

25th Amendment

(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

Lame Duck President

Time after a new president is elected, but has not been inaugurated yet. (Today it would be from Nov. - Jan. 20)

20th Amendment

Commencement of Terms; Sessions of Congress; Death or Disqualification of President-Elect

Congressional Term

length of time between elections in congress (2 years)

Congressional Session

period of time during which, each year, Congress assembles and conducts business

Executive Agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

Executive Order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Partisan

Government action based on firm allegiance to a political party

Bipartisan

supported by two political parties

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Pocket Veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Discharge Petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

Constiuency

a group of voters or a geographic district that legislators or other elected officials represent

Bully Pulpit

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

Public Policy

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem

Civil Service

the permanent professional branches of a government's administration, excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials