AP GOV UNIT 1 TEST

Mr. Valley's class CHS

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly granted to the federal government in the text of the Constitution, such as the power to collect taxes, coin money, and declare war.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but reasonably inferred from the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause) to carry out constitutional duties.

Exclusive Powers of the House of Representatives

The constitutional authority to originate all revenue and tax bills, initiate impeachment charges, and choose the president if the Electoral College deadlocks.

Exclusive Powers of the Senate

The constitutional authority to give advice and consent on presidential nominations and treaties, as well as to conduct the trial of impeached officials.

Delegate Model of Representation

A representation model where an elected official votes strictly according to the expressed desires and preferences of their constituents, regardless of personal judgment.

Trustee Model of Representation

A representation model where a lawmaker relies on their own conscience, expertise, and independent judgment to decide what is best for constituents.

Politico Model of Representation

A representation approach where lawmakers act as delegates on high-profile constituent issues and as trustees on complex or low-visibility issues.

Partisan Model of Representation

A voting behavior where lawmakers prioritize party loyalty and leadership directives above constituent demands or personal conviction.

Gerrymandering

The deliberate redrawing of legislative district boundaries to advantage one political party or demographic group over another.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral boundary lines following the decennial census to accommodate population shifts.

Safe District vs. Toss-Up District

A safe district routinely elects candidates from a single party by wide margins, while a toss-up district features competitive, unpredictable elections with balanced partisan support.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

The Supreme Court decision establishing that legislative redistricting is a justiciable question reviewable by federal courts under the Equal Protection Clause, establishing the 'one person, one vote' doctrine.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

The Supreme Court decision ruling that legislative redistricting cannot be drawn predominantly on the basis of race without satisfying strict scrutiny, even when creating majority-minority districts.

Discharge Petition

A procedural mechanism in the House of Representatives that forces a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration upon obtaining a majority of signatures ($218$ members).

Pork Barrel Legislation

Appropriations of government funds for localized projects that primarily benefit a specific lawmaker's district rather than the general public.

Logrolling

An agreement between lawmakers to support each other's bills through reciprocal vote-trading.

Impeachment Process

A two-step constitutional process where the House votes to impeach a civil officer by simple majority, followed by a trial in the Senate requiring a two-thirds supermajority for conviction and removal.

Filibuster and Cloture

A filibuster is a prolonged Senate debate used to delay or block a vote on legislation; it can be ended only by invoking cloture, which requires a three-fifths majority vote ($60$ senators).

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, chosen by the majority party, who leads legislative business, assigns bills to committees, and directs floor debate.

Majority and Minority Leaders

The chief legislative strategists and floor leaders for their respective parties in Congress who manage schedules, advance legislative agendas, and coordinate party policy.

Party Whips

Party officers responsible for tracking member vote counts, rallying party discipline on contentious bills, and communicating strategy between leaders and rank-and-file members.

President Pro Tempore

The constitutionally recognized presiding officer of the Senate in the absence of the Vice President, customarily given to the longest-serving member of the majority party.

Congressional Committee System

A legislative division of labor where specialized standing committees review, mark up, and hold hearings on bills before they reach the full chamber floor.

Committee Chairs

Members of the majority party who lead congressional committees, determine the committee agenda, schedule hearings, and decide which bills receive consideration.

Veto vs. Pocket Veto

A regular veto is an explicit presidential rejection sent back to Congress that can be overridden by a two-thirds vote; a pocket veto occurs when the president takes no action on a bill within $10$ days while Congress is adjourned, killing the bill without override.

Formal vs. Informal Presidential Powers

Formal powers are explicitly enumerated in Article II (such as the veto, pardon, and commander-in-chief role), while informal powers are implied or developed through practice (such as executive agreements, executive orders, and the bully pulpit).

Electoral College

The constitutional body that formally elects the president and vice president, where each state receives a number of electors equal to its total congressional delegation.

Constitutional Qualifications for President

Article II requirements stating that the president must be a natural-born citizen, at least $35$ years of age, and a resident within the United States for at least $14$ years.

Line-Item Veto

An executive power to strike specific funding items or provisions from a bill while signing the rest into law, ruled unconstitutional for the U.S. President in Clinton v. City of New York.

Federalist No. 70

Alexander Hamilton's foundational essay arguing for a single, energetic executive to ensure government accountability, energy, and rapid decision-making.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president to manage federal agencies and administrative operations that carries the force of law without needing direct congressional passage.

Executive Agreement

An international accord negotiated between the president and a foreign government that does not require Senate ratification, unlike a formal treaty.

Political Patronage

The practice of rewarding campaign contributors, political loyalists, and party workers with civil service jobs, appointments, or government contracts.

Presidential Succession Act Line of Order

The statutory order of succession following the Vice President: Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Cabinet department heads in order of department establishment.

Signing Statement

A written presidential comment attached to a newly signed law outlining how the administration interprets the statute and intends to enforce it.

Constitutional Roles of the Vice President

Serving as the President of the Senate with the power to break tie votes, presiding over the counting of electoral votes, and assuming the presidency upon executive vacancy.

Divided vs. Unified Government

Divided government occurs when one party holds the presidency and another controls at least one chamber of Congress; unified government occurs when the same party controls the executive branch and both houses of Congress.

War Powers Resolution of 1973

A federal law requiring the president to notify Congress within $48$ hours of deploying armed forces and withdraw them within $60$ days unless Congress authorizes force or grants an extension.

Advice and Consent Power

The constitutional authority granted to the Senate to confirm presidential nominations (such as federal judges and cabinet secretaries) and ratify treaties by a two-thirds majority.

Incumbency Advantage

The structural, financial, and political edge held by current officeholders seeking re-election, including franking privileges, name recognition, established donor networks, and constituent casework.