National Government Exam 3 Review

These flashcards represent an extensive review of key concepts and questions related to the National Government Exam 3, consolidating essential information for effective study preparation.

What do presidents hope to achieve when they appear on television?

Shape public opinion.

What is the basic organizational structure of the federal court system?

District courts are the lowest tier, the Supreme Court is the highest tier, and courts of appeals are in between.

What is the primary role of whips in Congress?

Persuade party members to support the party's priorities.

How can a president be removed from office?

The House impeaches the president by a majority vote; the Senate convicts with a two-thirds majority.

What organization makes economic projections about the economy and proposed policies?

Congressional Budget Office.

Which cases fall under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

Cases involving states as states.

What must plaintiffs have in order to challenge a law in court?

Standing to sue.

How are Senate committee chairs chosen?

According to seniority.

What does no Republican and no Democrat voting for major health and tax reform illustrate?

Partisan polarization in Congress.

Who presides over the House of Representatives?

The Speaker of the House.

Why do presidents seek high approval ratings?

High ratings make it easier to achieve the president's agenda.

How have congressional parties changed in recent decades?

Each party has become internally more homogeneous.

How are legislative courts different from constitutional courts?

Legislative courts cannot exercise judicial review.

Who represents the federal government in appeals to the Supreme Court?

Solicitor general.

In which federal courts are trials conducted?

District courts.

Why do presidents need support from other branches to enact policies?

Because the Constitution established a system of shared powers.

What is an example of casework?

Helping a constituent resolve a problem involving the Veterans Administration.

Which cases are most commonly heard by the U.S. Supreme Court?

Civil actions from lower federal courts.

In which courts are the majority of cases tried?

State.

How is the number of House seats determined?

Population.

What judicial philosophy allows judges to make bold policy decisions?

Judicial activism.

How have past presidents utilized their vice presidents?

As policy advisers and for important diplomacy.

Which group is most underrepresented in Congress?

Women.

How can Congress check the president's war powers?

Determining the military's budget.

Who nominates judges to the U.S. district courts?

The president.

What form of legislature does the United States have?

Bicameral.

Which body must confirm all federal judges?

The Senate.

Which court was known for shaping public policy in a liberal direction?

The Warren Court.

Why has presidential power increased?

Increased prominence of the United States on the world stage.

What do judges believe in when they defer to elected representatives?

Judicial restraint.

Federal district court judges are appointed to what terms?

Lifetime.

What is a "rally event" in politics?

George W. Bush's surge in popularity after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

How does re-election affect Congress's responsiveness?

Reelection provides an incentive to establish new programs.

What was Watergate?

The events that led to Richard Nixon's resignation under the threat of impeachment.

What type of opinion is written by a justice who is with the majority but has a different legal basis?

Concurring opinion.

How are vacancies in the vice presidency filled?

New vice presidents are nominated by the president and approved by both houses of Congress.

What is substantive representation?

Representation of the interests of groups of which they themselves are not members.

What is the power called that allows courts to determine the constitutionality of other branches' actions?

Judicial review.

What principle do courts rely on when basing decisions on previous rulings?

Stare decisis.

What is an efficient way for a president to shape legislation?

Threatening to veto legislation if it is not changed to the president's liking.

Who breaks ties in the Senate?

Vice president of the United States.

What might Congress members form if they share common interests?

A caucus.

What is needed to end a filibuster?

Cloture; sixty votes.

What constitutional power does the president share with the Senate?

Making treaties.

Why does the perception of electoral mandate matter?

It offers legitimacy and credibility to proposals of a recently elected president.

What does the National Security Council do?

To coordinate the president's foreign and military policy advisers.

What is an electoral mandate?

The perception that the voters strongly support the president and his or her policies.

What might trigger presidential impeachment?

A president's decision to invade a country solely to increase public support.

What is the closest to the president in loyalty?

White House staff.

What is the public expectation of the president?

Americans want a powerful president who can do good but dislike concentrated power.

What is judicial implementation?

How and whether judicial decisions are translated into actual policy.

What failure did Congress have in the lead-up to the 2008 recession?

Oversight.

What does senatorial courtesy allow?

A Republican senator from Oklahoma blocks a judicial nomination made by a Republican president to a seat in her home state.

Who leads in crafting national security policy?

The president.

What demonstrates legislators acting as instructed delegates?

A legislator follows the public opinion of his or her constituents.

Which power in the Senate is decentralized?

Power in the Senate.

What typically happens to most Supreme Court review requests?

The appeals are denied in conference and review is not granted.

What is original jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to hear a case first, determining the facts.

Who leads national security policymaking?

The president, but Congress exercises some influence.

What is the electoral composition in Congress regarding salaries?

Members of Congress are generally wealthier than the general population.

What is a congressional staff member likely to spend time doing?

Casework.

What might a skilled president do to pass their agenda?

Bargain with members of Congress unlikely to support the president's legislative agenda.

What limits a judge's decision-making authority?

Stare decisis.

What is the vice president's only constitutionally defined role?

To serve as president of the Senate.

What was the purpose of the War Powers Resolution?

To give Congress a greater voice in introducing U.S. troops into hostilities.

Why must presidents act as party leaders?

Members from the president's party cannot always be counted on to support their agenda.

When are incumbents most likely to be defeated?

After a state legislature redraws congressional district boundaries.

What gives incumbents an advantage in reelection?

Visibility in their districts.

What is the exclusive power of the president?

Extending diplomatic recognition to foreign governments.

What does the press focus on about the president?

What the president is doing.

When does a bill go to the Rules Committee in the House?

After it is approved by its full committee.

What is a major responsibility of the Supreme Court?

Ensuring that laws are interpreted in the same way throughout the nation.

How does pork barrel aid a member's district?

By bringing federal funds and projects to a district.

What argument supports a more aggressive role for the Supreme Court?

The judiciary can look out for the needs of the powerless.

What characterizes most U.S. presidents?

Being a Protestant.

What best describes the president's cabinet?

A group concerned with representing their departments' interests rather than broad advice.

What does the White House staff include?

The president's chief of staff and press secretary.

What is common law?

The accumulation of judicial decisions about legal issues.

Which Supreme Court cases are most likely to be heard on appeal?

A case involving a federal question.

Where does most of Congress's work happen?

In committees.

How do interest groups influence Supreme Court decisions?

By filing amicus curiae briefs.

How do modern presidents differ from the intentions of the Framers?

Modern presidents are more influential in the legislative process than the Framers intended.

What is an accurate statement about vetoes?

Bills that are not signed or vetoed become law after 10 days unless Congress has adjourned.

Where is malapportionment particularly acute?

The U.S. Senate.

What is the disadvantage of term limits?

Loss of experienced legislators.

What is the historical context of the War Powers resolution?

To give Congress a greater voice in military actions.

What might Congress enact to address financial negligence?

Oversight.

What is often the response to judicial actions?

Calls for more stringent checks and balances.

What often influences voting behavior in Congress?

Party allegiance.

What is a common characteristic of the House of Representatives?

It is more centralized than the Senate.

How are district court judges generally appointed?

Nominated by the president.

What checks executive power in Congress?

The Senate's ability to confirm or deny presidential appointments.

What is the significance of the Connecticut Compromise?

It resulted in a bicameral legislature.

What is a requirement to serve in the House of Representatives?

At least 25 years old, U.S. citizen for at least 7 years.

What does judicial restraint refer to?

Judges defer to elected branches of government, only overturning laws that clearly violate the Constitution.

What does the Supreme Court's rule of four mean?

Four justices must agree to hear a case.

What is the primary source of campaign funds for congressional members?

Contributions and fundraising from interest groups.

How are House districts redrawn?

Every ten years to reflect census data.

What do citizens need to apply for judicial review?

Standing.

What is a key aspect of the legislative process in Congress?

Committees filter bills.