UNIT 2 AP GOV TEST REVIEW

Revenue bills must originate in the…

House

When it comes to The house and the Senate, The house has more…

Formal rules

When it comes to The house and the Senate, The Senate allows more…

More individual influence and debate

Conference committees reconcile what versions of bills?

Both House and Senate

Filibuster

To delay a Senate action

Cloture

To end a Senate debate

Pork Barrel

Government spending on local projects benefiting constituents

Who is the most powerful house leader?

The Speaker

Pocket Veto

No action while Congress is adjourned

Commander in chief

President’s military role

A presidential veto can be overridden by how many and of what legislative chambers?

2/3; Both chambers (The House and The Senate)

Delegate

Follows constituents

Trustee

Uses personal judgement

Politico

Combinations of delegate and trustee

Reapprotionment

Redistribution House seats among states based on current populations

Redistricting

Redrawing district boundaries

Packing

Concentrating opposing voters

Cracking

Splitting opposing voters

Gerrymandering…

manipulates district boundaries to benefit a group or party

Judicial review

Determines constitutionality (And Continuity)

Stare Decisis

“To stand by things decided”

Follow precedent

Judicial activism

More active judicial role

Judicial restraint

More limited judicial role

Original jurisdiction

Review a lower court’s decision

Life tenure

Judge serve during good behavior

Baker v. Carr =

REAPPORTIONMENT can be reviewed by federal courts

What was the Baker v. Carr case significance

Expanded the judiciary's role in reapportionment and helped establish the foundation for one-person, one-vote.

Marbury v. Madison =

judicial review

What was the Marbury v. Madison case significance

Established judicial review

Who nominates federal judges?

The President

Who confirms federal judges?

The Senate

What does Life tenure give to judges and what does it allow to presidents?

Gives judges independence and allows presidents to influence policy long after leaving office

Census

Something that occurs every decade (10 years) and it is used for Reappointment, Determine House Representation, and Redistricting.

Precedent

Judicial decision that serves as authority for courts based on similar or previous cases.

What did Article lll established?

The Supreme Court

Federal Judicial power

Protection for judicial independence

Standing committees

Permanent committees focused on specific policy areas

Select committees

Temporary committees created for specific purposes or investigations.

Joint committees

Include members of both chambers

Conference committees

Reconcile differences between House and Senate versions of the same bill.

Remember: Conference committee =

 resolve differences between two versions of a bill.

Under current Senate rules, cloture generally requires…

 60 votes when all 100 seats are filled.

Appropriations

Congressional control over government spending.

Where does the presidential power come from? Define each one.

• The Constitution — commander in chief, chief executive, veto, appointments, treaties, State of the Union
  
  

• Statutory authority — powers granted by Congress
  
  

• Executive orders — directives to the executive branch
  
  

• Precedent — practices established by previous administrations
  
  

• Public support & media — tools for influencing Congress and public opinion

What is NOT a presidential power?

The president does not independently raise revenue.

Congress controls…

Congress controls taxation and federal spending.

Executive orders allow presidents to act…

without waiting for new legislation when they have existing constitutional or statutory authority.

When it comes to presidential votes…

A president can:

Sign a bill → Law

Veto a bill → Returns to Congress

Adjournment + no presidential action =

Pocket Veto

 If a representative votes against constituents because she believes it is in their long-term interest, they are a…

TRUSTEE

State legislatures generally draw

congressional district boundaries.

Gerrymandering does not automatically favor…

 Democrats or Republicans. It creates districts designed to benefit particular political interests.

Baker v. Carr =

reapportionment + federal court review

The strongest predictor of congressional voting patterns is generally…

Political party affiliation

District and Appeals COURTS meaning

 District = trial
Appeals = review

Judicial review determines…

Constitutionality

The Court cannot declare the…

Constitution itself unconstitutional.

Federal judges can be removed through:

House impeachment → Senate conviction

Test strategy for graphs

Read the actual graph. Do not rely on what you already know about a president.

For Supreme Court appointment cartoons, remember:

Presidents can influence public policy long after leaving office through judicial appointments.

BAKER V.CARR ALL

• Facts: Tennessee districts had unequal populations.
  
  

• Issue: Could federal courts hear reapportionment challenges?
  
  

• Holding: Yes.
  
  

• Reasoning: Reapportionment could present constitutional questions.
  
  

• Significance: Expanded the judiciary's role in reapportionment and helped establish the foundation for one-person, one-vote.
  

MARBURY V.MADISON ALL

• Facts: Marbury's commission was withheld.
  
  

• Issue: Could the Supreme Court order Madison to deliver it?
  
  

• Holding: No.
  
  

• Reasoning: Part of the Judiciary Act conflicted with Article III.
  
  

• Significance: Established judicial review.