Govt 2305 exam 2 (University of Houston)

Presidential pardons

An executive grant releasing an individual from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime before or after conviction; restores all rights and privileges of citizenship. Only from president. Article 2 section 2

line-item veto

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

pocket vetoes

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

presidential treaties

a formal agreement between the US and foreign nation(s)

negotiated by Secretary of State

needs 2/3 Senate approval

presidential executive agreements

Agreements with other countries that do not need senate approval

expressed powers

powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution

Commander in Chief

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.

Inherent powers

powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Take care clause

The constitutional requirement that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed, even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws

presidential approval ratings

A measure of the degree to which the public approves or disapproves of the president's performance in office.

Presidential Honeymoon

The first several months of a presidency, when reporters are more forgiving than usual, Congress is more inclined to be cooperative, and the public is more receptive to new approaches.

rally around the flag effect

Surge of public support for the president in times of international crisis.

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

winner-take-all system

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies.

faithless electors

members of the Electoral College who do not vote for whom they are pledged to

where does the electoral college meet ?

In 50 state capitols on the same day

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

Shadow bureaucrats

people hired and paid by private for-profit and nonprofit organizations that implement public policy through a government contract

Spoils system

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

Plum Book

A list of good-paying (sweet) jobs that the new president can fill by appointment (agency directors and other VIPs)

Political appointees

those who have received presidential appointments to office. Contrast with Civil Service employees, who receive federal jobs by competitive exams

merit-based civil service

A personnel system in which bureaucrats are hired on the basis of the principles of competence, equal opportunity (open competition), and political neutrality; once hired, these public servants have job protection.

Congressional hearings

Congressional committee sessions in which members listen to witnesses who provide information and opinions on matters of interest to the committee, including pending legislation.

Sunshine laws

Law requiring agency meetings and decision-making process to be open to the public. One way of making agencies more accountable to Congress and the public.

Whistle-blower

An employee or former employee who exposes wrongdoing within an organization in the hope of stopping it.

Pendleton Act

1883 law that created a Civil Service Commission and stated that federal employees could not be required to contribute to campaign funds nor be fired for political reasons

Hatch Act

A federal law prohibiting government employees from active participation in partisan politics.

Civil Service Reform Act

Created the Senior Executive Service and recognized the need for flexibility in recruiting, assigning and salary

Federal Employees Political Activities Act

The 1993 liberalization of the Hatch Act. Federal employees are now allowed to run for office in nonpartisan elections and to contribute money to campaigns in partisan elections.

Judicial review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

Marbury v. Madison

This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review

Stare decisis

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

Writ of mandamus

Court order directing an official to perform an official duty.

District Court

Lowest level of fed. courts, where fed. cases begin &trials are held (bank robbery, environmental violations, tax evasion)

Court of Appeals

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

Supreme Court

the highest federal court in the United States

Rule of Four

At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard

writ of certiorari

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

Amicus curiae

a brief submitted by a "friend of the court"

Amy Coney Barrett

Trump, conservative

Merrick Garland

President Obama has nominated this federal Judge to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court, setting up a showdown with Senate Republicans, who have vowed to block any nomination Obama makes.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Bill Clinton, liberal

Neil Gorsuch

Trump, conservative. nominated day after the rep. invoked the nuclear option.

Brett Kavanaugh

conservative, trump

Mitch McConnell

Majority Leader of the Senate

Obergefell v. Hodges

Upholds same sex marriage via 14th amendment equal protection clause and due process

Partisan elections

Elections in which candidates are affiliated with and receive support from political parties.

Missouri system

The merit system used to identify and select judges

retention elections

justices are appointed, then there is a vote at a later date in which the justice is either retained or removed

Initiative Election

A vote on a bill proposed by the people without having first to be proposed by the state legislature

Referendum Election

A vote on a proposed bill referred to the people by a legislature

recall election

a special election called by voters to remove an elected official before his/her term expires.

Election Day Registration

the option in some states to register on the day of the election, at the polling place, rather than in advance of the election

moralistic political culture

the belief that government should be active in promoting the public good and that citizens should participate in politics and civic activities to ensure that good (northwest coast)

Individualistic political culture

the belief that government should limit its role to providing order in society, so that citizens can pursue their economic self-interests(mid-range, east coast)

Traditional political culture

the belief that government should be dominated by political elites and guided by tradition (south)