AP GOPO - Waples Textbook's Unit 2 (Chapters 4- 7)

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws; the U.S. Congress.

Constituencies

The groups of voters represented by elected officials.

Chambers/Bicameral

A legislative body composed of two chambers, typically the House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives’ Powers

The lower house of Congress, primarily creates and passes federal laws with the Senate, controls federal spending by originating revenue bills, investigates government activities, and holds the power to impeach federal officials, representing their states' populations in the legislative branch of the U.S. government. They also have unique powers, like electing the President if the Electoral College is tied.

House of Representatives Members

Made up of 435 voting members, representing districts within the 50 states based on population, plus 6 non-voting members from D.C. and U.S. territories, totaling 441 members, all elected to two-year terms.

The Senate’s Powers

The upper house of Congress, shares legislative power with the House of Representatives, passing federal laws, but also holds unique powers like confirming presidential nominations (judges, cabinet, ambassadors) and ratifying treaties, acting as a check on the executive branch, and holding impeachment trials for officials.

The Senate Members

Provides equal representation for each state (two senators each) and serves to balance the population-based representation in the House. Made up of 100 members in total.

Enumerated/Expressed Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but inferred from the enumerated powers.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, responsible for overseeing House proceedings.

President of the Senate

The Vice President of the United States, who presides over Senate sessions.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either the House or Senate, responsible for setting the legislative agenda.

Minority Leader

The head of the minority party in either the House or Senate, responsible for representing minority party interests.

Majority Whip

An official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in votes.

Minority Whip

An official in the minority party who assists the minority leader in managing party strategy.

Trustee

A member of Congress who acts according to their own judgment and conscience, rather than strictly following constituents' wishes.

Delegate

A member of Congress who acts according to the wishes of their constituents.

Bill

A proposed piece of legislation that must be approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the president to become law.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate.

Cloture

A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that is not mandated by existing law and can be adjusted through the budget process.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending that is required by existing law, such as entitlement programs.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements, such as Social Security.

Budget Deficit

The financial situation that occurs when government expenditures exceed revenues.

Discharge Petition

A means by which members of the House can force a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage over others.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically after a census.

Public Policy

The principles and actions adopted or proposed by a government to address issues affecting the public.

Committees

Subgroups within Congress that handle specific areas of legislation and oversight.

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate on a bill.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee in Congress that meets regularly to consider legislation.

Joint Committee

A committee composed of members from both the House and Senate, typically for specific purposes.

Committee of the Whole

A device used in the House of Representatives to allow all members to consider legislation as a single group.

Select Committee

A temporary committee established for a specific purpose, often to investigate a particular issue.

Subcommittee

A smaller division of a committee that focuses on a specific area of legislation.

Coalitions

Temporary alliances formed between different groups or parties to achieve a common goal.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out laws.

Veto

The constitutional right of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket Veto

A special type of veto that occurs when the president does not sign a bill into law within ten days while Congress is adjourned.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Signing Statements

Written comments issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often outlining their interpretation of the legislation.

Policy agenda

A set of issues, problems, or subjects that are viewed as important by policymakers and the public.

Formal powers

The powers explicitly granted to the president by the Constitution.

Informal powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are implied through the president's role.

Bargaining & Persuasion

Informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his policy initiatives.

State of the Union Address

An annual address delivered by the president to Congress, outlining the nation's condition and the legislative agenda.

Foreign policy powers

The powers of the president to direct the country's foreign affairs and relations.

Bully pulpit

The president's use of their platform to advocate for policies and influence public opinion.

Executive agreements

International agreements made by the president without the need for Senate approval.

Confirmation process

The procedure by which the Senate approves presidential appointments to the executive and judicial branches.

22nd Amendment (1951)

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution that limits the president to two terms in office.

Judicial Branch

Branch of government that decides if laws are carried out and enforced fairly.

Classification of Judicial Branch

The "Least Dangerous" Branch

Federalist #78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton that discusses the role of the judiciary and the principle of judicial review.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution.

Precedent

A legal decision or form of case law that serves as an example for future cases.

Writ of Certiorari

A document issued by the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.

Per Curiam decision

A ruling issued by an appellate court that does not identify any specific judge as the author.

Litigants

Individuals or parties involved in a lawsuit.

Standing to sue

The legal right to bring a lawsuit in court.

Class action lawsuit

A lawsuit filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group.

Amicus Curiae briefs

Documents submitted by non-parties to a case, offering information or arguments for the court's consideration.

Stare decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Judicial activism

The philosophy that courts should interpret the Constitution and laws broadly to promote social change.

Judicial restraint

The philosophy that courts should limit their own power and defer to the decisions of the legislative and executive branches.

Majority opinion

The official statement of the court's decision, reflecting the views of the majority of justices.

Dissenting opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority decision.

Concurring opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority decision but for different reasons.

Civil law

The body of law dealing with private rights and obligations.

Criminal law

The body of law that relates to crime and the punishment of those who violate laws.

Common law

Law derived from judicial decisions instead of statutes.

Strict constructionism

An approach to constitutional interpretation that emphasizes a literal reading of the text.

Loose constructionism

An approach to constitutional interpretation that allows for broader readings of the text.

Jurisdiction

The official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Original jurisdiction

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

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review and revise the decision of a lower court.

Concurrent jurisdiction

The authority of more than one court to hear the same case.

Solicitor general

The lawyer who represents the federal government before the Supreme Court.

Senatorial courtesy

The tradition of allowing senators to block nominations in their home state.

Docket

A list of cases scheduled to be heard by a court.

Original intent

The concept of interpreting the Constitution based on the intentions of its framers.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials. Part of executive branch.

Departments

Major administrative units of the federal government responsible for specific areas of public policy.

Agencies

Organizations within the federal government responsible for specific functions and services.

Commissions

Bodies created by Congress or the president to oversee specific areas of public policy or regulation.

Government corporations

Government-owned entities that operate like private businesses, providing services and generating revenue.

Regulations

Rules or directives made and maintained by an authority to regulate conduct.

Compliance Monitoring challenges...

policy implementation.

Iron triangles

Stable, mutually beneficial relationships between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies.

Law vs Policy

The distinction between legal statutes and the broader goals and strategies for addressing issues.

Examples of Government Corporations

AMTRAK & U.S Postal Service

Issue Networks

Complex systems of relationships among groups that influence policy, including elected leaders, interest groups, specialists, consultants, and research institutes

Political patronage

The practice of giving government jobs and appointments to supporters and friends.

Spoils System

The practice of a successful political party giving public office to its supporters.

Political Machine

A party organization that recruits voter loyalty with tangible incentives and is characterized by a high degree of control over member activity.

Civil service system

A system that ensures government jobs are awarded based on merit and qualifications.

Merit system

A system of hiring and promoting based on individual ability or achievement.

An Independent Executive Agency Example

NASA

National Security Council (NSC)

An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security.