government Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for political science review.

Bicameral legislature

A legislature with two chambers (e.g., U.S. Congress: House & Senate).

Caucus

Meeting of party members to choose candidates or delegates.

Conference committee

Temporary committee to resolve differences in House and Senate bills.

Legislative oversight

Congress monitoring the executive branch's implementation of laws.

Legislative veto

Congress's power to disapprove executive actions (ruled unconstitutional).

Budget

A financial plan of expected revenues and expenditures.

Deficit

Government spending exceeding income in a given period.

Federal debt

Total accumulation of past government deficits.

Bureaucracy

Large, complex administrative structure with hierarchy and specialization.

Civil service

Merit-based system for hiring/promoting government employees.

Capitalism

Private ownership of production and distribution of goods/services.

Antitrust policy

Regulations promoting competition by preventing monopolies.

Supreme Court

Highest U.S. court; final authority on Constitutional interpretation.

Stare decisis

Legal principle of following established precedents.

Original jurisdiction

Court's authority to hear a case first.

Class Action Suit

Lawsuit wherein one or a few people represent many different people harmed in a similar way, acting for collective justice

Appellate Jurisdiction

Ability of courts to review previously decided cases to look for error or injustice, Appellate Courts can NOT partake in original jurisdiction

Bill

Formal proposal for a new law.

Committee chairs

Members of Congress who lead committees; influence legislation.

Filibuster

Senate procedure to delay/prevent a bill vote through extended speech.

Select committees

Temporary committees to investigate specific issues.

Pocket veto

Presidential veto when Congress adjourns without a signature on a bill.

Entitlements

Government programs guaranteeing benefits to specific groups.

Medicaid

Joint federal-state program aiding low-income individuals with medical costs.

Revenues

Government income from taxes, fees, etc.

Governmental corporations

Government-run organizations providing services like private companies.

Independent executive agencies

Federal agencies operating independently from cabinet departments.

Senatorial courtesy

Senate custom of respecting home-state senators' judicial appointments.

Opinion

Court's written explanation of a decision.

Precedent

Court decision used as authority for similar future cases.

Original intent

Constitution interpreted based on Founding Fathers' intentions.

Justiciable disputes

Conflicts resolvable through legal means in court.

House Rules Committee

Sets terms for debate/amendments on House bills.

Incumbents

Individuals currently holding a political office.

Joint committees

Committees with members from both House and Senate.

Standing committees

Permanent committees in Congress specializing in specific legislation.

Appropriations Bill

Law authorizing and allocating government spending for specific programs.

Medicare

Federal health insurance for those 65+ or with disabilities.

Tax expenditures

Tax law exceptions reducing taxable income, losing government revenue.

Social Security Act

Established old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to families.

Iron triangles

Close relationships between agencies, interest groups, and committees.

Independent regulatory agency

Regulates a specific industry or economic sector, can not be influenced by President

Judicial restraint

Judges limit power, deferring to other government branches.

Judicial review

Courts' power to declare laws/actions unconstitutional.

District courts

General trial courts of the federal system

Amicus curiae briefs

Filed by those interested, but not involved, in a court case.

Street-level bureaucrats

Government employees who directly interact with citizens.

Pork barrel

Government spending on localized projects for a representative’s district.

Cabinet

Advisors to the president, heads of executive departments.

Impeachment

Formal accusation of unlawful activity, leading to removal from office.

Seniority system

Privileged positions based on group association length.

Authorization bill

Authorizes/allows the activities of federal agencies, gives them the greenlight

House Ways and Means

House's chief tax-writing committee.

Income tax

Tax on net personal or corporate income.

Uncontrollable expenditures

Mandatory budget expenditure