AP U.S. Government: Key Terms and Concepts for Congress, Presidency, and Judiciary

Cloture

Procedure to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring 60 votes.

Coattail Effect

When a popular candidate helps others from the same party get elected.

Conference Committee

Joint committee to reconcile House and Senate versions of a bill.

Constituency

The voters represented by an elected official.

Filibuster

Tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches.

Representation

Elected officials serving the interests of their constituents.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a political party.

Incumbency

Holding political office; incumbents often have electoral advantages.

Majority/Minority Parties

Party with most seats vs. the one with fewer in a chamber.

Veto/Override

Presidential rejection of a bill; Congress can override with two-thirds vote.

Reapportionment

Redistributing House seats based on population changes.

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries after reapportionment.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the House of Representatives.

Whips

Party leaders who ensure members vote according to party lines.

Cabinet

Group of presidential advisors heading executive departments.

Commander-in-Chief

President's role as leader of the armed forces.

Divided/United Government

Different/same parties control presidency and Congress.

Executive Order

Directive from the president with the force of law.

Head of Government

President's role in managing the executive branch.

Head of State

President's ceremonial role representing the nation.

War Powers Act

Limits president's ability to deploy troops without Congress.

Pardoning Power

President's authority to forgive federal crimes.

State of the Union Address

Annual speech outlining legislative agenda.

Electoral College

Body that formally elects the president.

Bureaucracy

System of government agencies and departments.

Civil Service

Government employment based on merit.

Cabinet Agency

Major executive departments headed by Cabinet members.

Government Corporation

Government-run business (e.g., USPS).

Spoils System

Giving government jobs to political supporters.

Hatch Act

Limits political activities of federal employees.

Independent Exec. Agency

Agencies outside Cabinet departments (e.g., NASA).

Regulatory Board

Agencies that enforce rules in specific sectors.

Patronage

Granting favors or jobs for political support.

Pendleton Act

Established merit-based hiring for federal jobs.

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" briefs from non-litigants.

Civil Laws

Laws dealing with disputes between individuals.

Concurring Opinion

Justice agrees with majority but for different reasons.

Criminal Laws

Laws dealing with crimes and punishments.

Constitutional Law

Law based on the U.S. Constitution.

Dissenting Opinion

Justice disagrees with majority decision.

Executive Order

Presidential directive with legal force.

Judicial Activism

Judges interpret Constitution to reflect current values.

Strict Construction

Interpreting Constitution based on original meaning.

Judicial Review

Courts' power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

Case establishing judicial review.

Rule of Four

Four justices must agree to hear a case.

Writ of Certiorari

Supreme Court order to review a lower case.

Solicitor General

Represents federal government before Supreme Court.