AP US Government Modules 2.4-2.11 Vocabulary

Vocabulary for the Executive and Judicial branches

Policy Agenda

The set of issues and policies that government officials, interest groups, and the public prioritize for action. It reflects the pressing concerns and challenges facing society and guides decision-making processes. It is influenced by political, social, and economic factors, and shapes the legislative and executive actions taken by policymakers.

Cabinet

The formal body of presidential advisers who head the fifteen executive departments. Presidents often add others to this body of formal advisers.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A mini-bureaucracy created in 1939 to help the president oversee executive branch bureaucracy

veto

The formal, constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed through both houses of Congress, thus preventing them from becoming law without further congressional action.

pocket veto

If Congress adjourns during the ten days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of Congress, the bill is considered vetoed without the president’s signature.

line item veto

Power granted to the executive to selectively approve or reject specific provisions within a bill, without vetoing the entire bill.

commander-in-chief

Role of the president of being the highest authority of the military

executive agreement

formal international agreement entered into by the president that do not require the advice and consent of the US Senate

treaty

An agreement between two or more countries or groups that outlines terms and conditions for peaceful cooperation, resolving conflicts, or achieving specific goals.

executive order

Rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of a law. Must be published in the Federal Register.

Signing Statements

Occasional written comments attached to a bill signed by the president

Congressional agenda

The set of issues and topics that the U.S. Congress plans to address and prioritize during a particular legislative session. It includes proposed bills, policies, and matters of national importance that lawmakers aim to discuss, debate, and potentially pass into law.

22nd Amendment

Adopted in 1951; prevents presidents from serving more than two terms, or more than ten years if they attain the office via death, resignation, or removal of their predecessor.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech delivered by the President to Congress, outlining the administration's policies, priorities, and legislative agenda for the upcoming year.

Bully pulpit

The view that a major power of the presidency, albeit not one prescribed in the Constitution, is to draw attention to and generate support fir particular positions

Agenda Setting

The process of forming a list of issues to be addressed by government

Judicial Review

Power of the courts to review acts of other branches of government and the states

precedent

A prior judicial decision that serves as a rule for settling subsequent cases of a similar nature

stare decisis

In court rulings, a reliance on past decisions or precedents to formulate decisions in new cases

judicial activism

A philosophy of judicial decision making that posits judges should use their power broadly to further justice

Judicial restraint

A philosophy of judicial decision making that posits courts should allow the decisions of other branches of government to stand, even when they offend a judge’s own principles

jurisdiction

Authority vested in a particular court to hear and decide the issues in a particular case

original jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These courts determine the facts of a case.

Appellate jurisdiction

The power vested in a particular court to review and/or revise the decision of a lower court