AP US Gov Vocab CH: 1-12

10th Amendment

Powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution belong to the states or the people.

Enumerated power

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution.

Federalism

Government system where power is divided between the national government and the states.

Judicial review

Process where the Supreme Court decides if a law follows the Constitution.

Linkage institution

Ways like elections, parties, groups, and media connect citizens' concerns to the government.

Federalist 10

Essay saying a strong federal government protects freedom from narrow interests.

Federalist 51

Essay arguing that splitting government powers stops one person or group from having too much power.

Supremacy clause

Part of the Constitution making federal laws the highest, overriding state laws if they agree with the Constitution.

Writ of habeas corpus

Court order asking why a prisoner is held.

McCulloh vs. Maryland (1819)

Court case saying states can't tax federal groups.

United States v Lopez (1995)

Court decision that Congress can't regulate guns near state schools using the Commerce Clause.

Baker v Carr (1962)

Court ruling to make state voting areas have similar populations, promoting fairness.

Shaw v Reno (1993)

Court case saying race can't be the main reason for redrawing voting zones.

Marbury v Madison (1803)

Court case creating judicial review and setting a strong Supreme Court.

Hyperpluralism

Idea that strong groups make government weak.

Block grant

Money for general state programs.

Categorical grant

Funds for specific purposes.

Cooperative federalism

System where states and the national government share power and costs.

Dual federalism

System where states and national government are strong in their own areas.

Elastic clause

Part of the Constitution letting Congress make laws needed to carry out its power

Fiscal federalism

How money is managed and shared between the national government and state/local governments.

Full faith and credit

States must recognize and respect each other's laws and court decisions.

Gibbons v Ogden (1824)

Court case giving Congress broad power to control trade between states, setting a precedent for federal authority.

Implied power

Authority not directly listed in the Constitution but suggested by its wording.

Incumbent

The current holder of a specific office.

Schenck v United States (1919)

Court ruling that limits free speech if it poses a clear danger.

Tinker v Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Court case affirming students' rights to free speech in schools, involving protests against the Vietnam War.

New York Times v United States (1971)

Court decision limiting the government's ability to stop the press from publishing certain information, seen in the Pentagon Papers case.

Engel v Vitale (1962)

Court case that banned school-sponsored prayer in public schools, based on the separation of church and state.

Wisconsin v Yoder (1972)

Court case allowing Amish families to exempt their children from school after eighth grade based on religious freedom.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to serving two terms in office.

Casework

Actions by members of Congress to help individual constituents navigate government bureaucracy and get what they need.

Conference committee

A group of lawmakers from both the House and Senate appointed to work out differences on a bill passed in different forms by each chamber.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by continuously speaking on the floor.

House Rules Committee

A special committee in the House of Representatives that decides the rules and conditions for debate on bills before they are considered by the full House.

Legislative oversight

Congress's supervision of government agencies and their implementation of laws, often through hearings.

Pork barrel

Federal funds allocated to projects in specific congressional districts to benefit local interests and constituents.

Select committee

A temporary committee formed for a specific purpose and a limited time to investigate or address a particular issue.

Whip

A member of Congress responsible for keeping party members informed and ensuring party discipline in voting.

25th Amendment

Specifies the procedures for presidential succession and disability.

McDonald v Chicago (2010)

Supreme Court case ruling that the Second Amendment's right to bear arms applies to the states, limiting local gun regulations.

Gideon v Wainwright (1963)

Supreme Court decision guaranteeing the right to counsel for criminal defendants, regardless of their ability to pay, in state and federal trials.

Roe v Wade (1973)

Supreme Court decision establishing a woman's right to have an abortion under the constitutional right to privacy.

Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas (1954)

Landmark Supreme Court ruling declaring racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional and requiring desegregation with "all deliberate speed."

Citizens United v FEC (2010)

Supreme Court case determining that corporations and unions have First Amendment rights to spend money on political campaigns, allowing unlimited independent spending to influence elections.

Amicus curiae brief

A legal document filed by someone who is not directly involved in a case to give additional arguments or information to the court.

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a higher court to review decisions made by lower courts.

Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

A group of three experts appointed by the president to help with economic policy advice.

District courts

The basic federal trial courts where federal cases are initially heard and decided.

Legislative veto

A power Congress once thought it had to overturn presidential actions after they happened, but the Supreme Court ruled that Congress does not have this authority.

National Security Council (NSC)

A group advising the president on foreign policy, including key cabinet members and other officials.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

A group helping the president with budget plans and reviewing proposed rules from federal agencies.

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time and establish the facts.

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973 to define when a president can send troops into combat without Congress's direct approval.

Writ of certiorari

A formal request asking the Supreme Court to hear a case.

16th Amendment

Gives the federal government the power to collect income tax.

House Ways and Means Committee

The group in the House of Representatives that helps write tax laws, subject to Congress's approval.

Judicial activism

When judges let current issues and national needs shape their decisions, especially in the Supreme Court.

Judicial restraint

A legal approach where judges avoid making laws and leave that job to lawmakers.

Precedent

An earlier legal decision that sets an example for future cases.

Senatorial courtesy

A tradition where senators can block presidential appointments from their own state if they object, especially if the senior senator from the president's party disagrees.

Social Security Act

A law that taxes workers and employers to provide pensions for retired people on a regular basis.

Stare decisis

A legal principle where decisions in court cases are based on precedent from earlier cases.

United States v. Nixon (1974)

A significant Supreme Court case that ruled unanimously against President Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, forcing him to turn over recordings.

Appropriations bill

A law passed by Congress that funds specific government programs within budget limits set by authorization bills.

Authorization

Approval or permission granted to do something.

Bureaucracy

A large and complex organization made up of appointed officials who help run government programs.

Congressional Budget Impoundment Control Act of 1974

A law that sets rules for Congress to review and decide on executive branch decisions to withhold budget funds.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

An agency of Congress that examines the president's budget proposals and estimates the cost of new laws.

Hatch Act

A federal law that stops government employees from active involvement in political party activities.

Independent Regulatory Agency

An organization outside major government departments that makes and enforces rules and regulations.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

A law that set up a commission to hire government employees based on their skills, not political connections.

Senate Finance Committee

A group in the Senate that, with the House Ways and Means Committee, helps write tax laws that Congress then votes on.

Closed primary

An election where only registered members of a specific political party can vote for their party's candidates.

Deregulation

Removing government rules and restrictions on business, industry, and certain professional activities.

Executive order

A rule created by the president that carries the force of law.

Independent executive agency

A federal organization that isn't part of a major government department and reports directly to the president.

Iron triangle

A close relationship between a government agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group that work together to shape policies and decisions.

Open primary

An election where voters can choose which party's candidates they want to vote for, regardless of their own party affiliation, when they arrive at the polling place.

Reapportionment

The process of redistributing the number of seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population changes from the census.

Regulation

Government rules and interventions that influence how goods or services are produced and distributed in the market.

Ticket splitting

Voting for candidates from different political parties in the same election.

Trial balloons

Intentional news leaks used to test public or political reactions to potential policies or ideas.

Coalition

A group of people or organizations with shared interests or goals, often forming the basis of political parties.

Critical election

An election where significant groups of voters change their usual party loyalties, often leading to major shifts in political power.

Legitimacy

Political authority that is recognized and accepted by law or constitutional principles.

National convention

A meeting held every four years by each political party to nominate their presidential and vice-presidential candidates and adopt their party platform.

Party dealignment

A trend where fewer voters identify strongly with one political party, leading to weaker party loyalty overall.

Party realignment

A major shift in party dominance or voter support, often occurring after critical elections.

Proportional representation

A voting system where seats in a legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes each party receives.

Referendum

A direct vote by the public on a proposed law or constitutional amendment.

Winner-take-all system

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins all the seats or delegates, rather than being distributed proportionally.

14th Amendment

Grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States and guarantees equal protection of the laws.

5th Amendment

Protects individuals from self-incrimination and double jeopardy, and ensures due process of law.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

A government agency that oversees campaign finance laws and regulations.

Frontloading

When states schedule their primary elections early in the year to attract more media attention and influence the nomination process.

Party platform

A statement of a political party's goals and policies for the next few years, adopted at the party's national convention.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A private group that supports political candidates or issues by raising and spending money.

Presidential Election Campaign Fund

Money collected from taxpayers to fund presidential election campaigns for qualified candidates.

Soft money

Unregulated campaign contributions given to political parties or committees for general party activities, not tied to specific candidates or races.