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Hopper
A box located by the Speaker's seat in the House where members formally introduce their bills
Committee Referral
The process of referring bills to a committee, which often refers them to subcommittees for study, hearings, and recommendations
Markup Stage
The stage where a final version of the bill is written
Rules Committee
In the House, the committee that decides the length of debate and the extent of amendments to a bill
Filibuster
A tactic used in the Senate to allow unlimited debate on a bill
Cloture
A procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote
Log Rolling
The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics by reciprocal voting for each other's proposed legislation
State of the Union Address
An annual message delivered by the President of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
A joint resolution that delegated powers to the President to escalate military involvement in Vietnam
Fast Track Authority
A legislative process that allows expedited consideration of trade agreements by Congress
National Security Adviser
Provides regular briefings on military and intelligence matters
Agenda Setting
The media's ability to define the importance of particular events and issues
Bully Pulpit
A platform for pushing the President's agenda to the public
Fire Side Chats
A series of radio addresses given by U.S President Franklin D Roosevelt
Sound bites
Short phrases used to sum up ideas and convey larger policies
Market-Driven Journalism
The practice of selecting and prioritizing news stories based on their ability to generate interest and attract viewers, often influenced by newsworthiness and entertainment value
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The regulatory body created by the U.S government to hold the media accountable, regulate them, and prevent any one network from gaining too much power
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
A law that allows the public and media to request government documents, promoting transparency, but the government can withhold information based on nine exemptions such as national security, personnel rights, or trade secrets
Article Three, Section One of the Constitution
States that Federal Judges shall hold their offices during good behavior, ensuring their tenure unless found to have broken the law, to protect judicial independence
Judiciary Act of 1801
The Act that reduced the number of Supreme Court justices from six down to five, demonstrating Congress's control over the number of justices who may sit on the court as a check on the power of the Supreme Court
Judicial Review
The power of the judiciary to review and potentially invalidate laws and actions of the legislative and executive branches that are found to violate the Constitution
Fletcher versus Peck
A landmark case in 1810 where Chief Justice Marshall upheld the principle that matters of constitutional interpretation should be heard in the highest courts of the land
Dartmouth College versus Woodward
A case in 1819 where Chief Justice Marshall decided that Dartmouth's original charter was a contract and was thus protected under the constitutional prohibition against state interference in contracts
Court-packing plan
President Franklin D Roosevelt's 1937 plan to prevent the Supreme Court from overturning his New Deal programs by adding new judges to the Court
Rule of Four
At least four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree to issue a writ of certiorari for a case to be heard
U.S Circuit Court of Appeals
Reviews district court decisions for errors
Judicial Implementation
Process of putting court decisions into practice
Precedent
Legal principle established in previous court cases
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
Presiding judge managing the Federal court system
Article Three, Section Two
Outlines the process for appointing Supreme Court Justices
Federal Judges
Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate
Senate Judiciary Committee
Responsible for evaluating judicial nominees
U.S Court of Appeals
Appellate courts reviewing district court decisions
Amicus Curiae Brief
Submitted by interested parties not involved in the case
Precedents
Earlier court decisions relevant to the current case
FISA Court
Grants Federal government surveillance powers for national security
Civil Rights
Guarantees equal treatment by the federal government
The United States Report
Publication making Supreme Court decisions accessible
Civil Liberties
Freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution
Griswold v Connecticut
Protected the right to privacy by striking down a law
Ninth Amendment
States individual rights are not limited to those in the Constitution
Lawrence v Texas
Ruled consenting adult homosexuals have a right to privacy
Obergefell v Hodges
Legalized same-sex marriage in the United States
Obergefell v Hodges
The Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, marking a milestone in marriage equality and individual rights protection
Civil Liberties
Freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution that limit government power, also known as negative rights
Right to Privacy
Found in various amendments, it includes protection against self-incrimination and rights not explicitly stated in the Constitution
Griswold v Connecticut
Supreme Court case protecting the right to privacy by striking down a law banning contraceptives
Bowers v Hardwick
1986 Supreme Court case denying the right to engage in homosexual acts
Lawrence v Texas
2003 Supreme Court case overturning Bowers v Hardwick, affirming privacy rights for consenting adult homosexuals
Roe v Wade
1973 Supreme Court case establishing the right to abortion under the right to privacy
Judicial Activism
Judges influencing public policy through decisions, often criticized by those favoring judicial restraint
Executive Order 9066
Signed by F. Roosevelt, authorized sending Americans of Japanese descent to prison camps during WWII
Japanese Internment
Forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII
Korematsu v United States
Supreme Court case declaring the evacuation of Japanese Americans constitutional during WWII
Patriot Act
Passed after 9/11 to enhance surveillance and counter terrorism
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments protecting individual liberties, influenced by the English Bill of Rights
First Amendment
Safeguards freedoms of expression, religion, speech, press, and political activity
Second Amendment
Guarantees the right to keep and bear arms
Fourth Amendment
Protects against unreasonable search and seizure
Fifth Amendment
Includes rights in criminal cases like due process and protection against self-incrimination
Eighth Amendment
Guarantees protection against excessive bail, fines, or cruel punishment
Ninth and Tenth Amendments
Reserve powers not given to the federal government to the people or states
Constitutional Amendment Process
Requires 2/3 vote of Congress and 3/4 state approval for ratification.