Untitled Flashcards Set

Naturalization

The process of becoming a U.S citizen.

Constituents

The people in a district represented by Congress.

Bill

Bills are potential laws.

Incumbent

The person currently holding office.

Speaker of the House

Leader of the majority party who recognizes who gets to speak and organize committees.

Majority and Minority Leaders

They guide discussion from their side of the aisle and are the first one to speak.

Whip

A party disciplinarian who disciplines weak and flaky party members.

House Judiciary Committee

Determines the laws and punishments as well as impeachment charges.

Standing Committee

A permanent committee that focuses on major problems.

Joint Committee

A committee that has members from both the House and Senate.

Select Committee

A temporary committee that focuses on a current issue.

Conference Committee

A committee where members from the House and Senate discuss conflicts within their bills.

Liaison

Works for the president but collaborates with other groups or organizations.

Cloture

When at least 60 senators vote to end a filibuster.

Unanimous Consent

The approval of all senators.

Hold

A measure used to stall a bill.

Riders

Nongermane amendments added to bills for a certain party's favor.

Medicare

Government healthcare for the elderly.

Medicaid

Healthcare for people who meet certain requirements.

Deficit Spending

When the government takes out loans to pay for something if the budget is too low.

Mandatory Spending

Spending that the government has to fund every year.

Discretionary Spending

Spending of leftover funds from mandatory spending.

Judicial Minimalism

When the court hears fewer cases and takes their time with each case.

Certiorari

The concept of rehearing a case.

Rule of 4

4 of the 9 justices have to agree to accept a case.

Majority Opinion

A reflection of the court's ruling written by the chief justice or a designated justice.

Concurring Opinion

Agreement with the court's decision but for different reasons.

Dissenting Opinion

Judges who vote against a decision explain their views of the law.

Amicus Curiae

Friend of the court; a brief submitted by a third party.

Editorials

Opinionated articles that explain a publication's view.

10th Amendment

Power is reserved to the states.

11th Amendment

Restricts lawsuits against states.

12th Amendment

Establishes the electoral process for the president and vice president.

13th Amendment

Abolition of slavery and involuntary servitude.

14th Amendment

Guarantees citizenship and equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Voting rights for African American men.

Bicameral Congress

The USA’s congressional structure with the House and Senate.

Incumbent

The existing officeholder.

Caucus

A group of like-minded individuals within the political system.

Gerrymandering

Redrawing districts to favor a political party.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation.

Pork-barrel Spending

Government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees focused on specific policy areas.

Select Committees

Temporary committees formed for a specific purpose.

Conference Committees

Committees formed to reconcile differences in legislation between the House and Senate.

Cloture

A procedure to end a filibuster and bring debate to a close.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to assess whether a law is constitutional.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment ensuring all individuals receive equal protection under the law.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed literacy tests and other discriminatory voting practices.

Affirmative Action

Policies that take factors such as race or gender into consideration to benefit an underrepresented group.

Social Safety Net

Government programs designed to provide support for the disadvantaged.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

Ballot Access

The ability of a candidate to appear on the ballot in elections.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values.

Public Opinion Polls

Surveys that gauge the sentiments of the public on various issues.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Checks and Balances

Mechanisms that allow each branch of government to limit the powers of the others.