Government Test Study Guide - Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, concepts, and key topics from the Government Test Study Guide notes.

Veto Override

The process by which Congress turns a vetoed bill into law through a 2/3 vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic used to delay or prevent a bill from coming to a vote.

Cloture

The procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster.

Standing Committees

Permanent committees in Congress (and their subcommittees) where most actual legislative work takes place, including studying, holding hearings on, and amending bills.

Minimum Age Requirements for Congress

The constitutional requirement setting the minimum age at 25 for the House of Representatives and 30 for the Senate.

Minimum Age Requirement for President

The constitutional requirement setting the minimum age for the President of the United States at 35.

Article I

The section of the United States Constitution that establishes Congress as the legislative branch.

Congressional Oversight

The power of Congress to monitor and investigate how executive branch agencies execute laws and spend public funds.

Power of the Purse

Congress's constitutional control over federal government spending and yearly budgets.

Two Presidencies Thesis

Aaron Wildavsky's theory that political leaders and presidents enjoy greater influence and legislative success with Congress in foreign policy than in domestic policy.

National Security Council (NSC)

An executive office body staffed with foreign and defense policy experts that advises the President on national security, foreign policy, defense, and intelligence.

House Role in Impeachment

The authority of the House of Representatives to formally vote on and bring impeachment charges against an official.

Senate Role in Impeachment

The authority of the Senate to conduct the trial of an impeached official, requiring a 2/3 vote of senators present to convict.

Iowa Caucus

Traditionally the first presidential caucus in the election process, consisting of local party meetings where members vote on prospective candidates.

New Hampshire Primary

Traditionally the first presidential primary election in the nation, where state citizens cast individual ballots for candidates.

Majority Opinion

A Supreme Court opinion supported by a majority of justices who agree on both the final decision and the underlying legal reasoning.

Concurring Opinion

A Supreme Court opinion written by a justice who agrees with the majority's result but bases their decision on different or additional legal reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

A Supreme Court opinion written by one or more justices who disagree with the Court's ruling.

Plurality Opinion

A Supreme Court opinion that receives the most votes among justices, but falls short of an absolute majority.

Federalist No. 78

An essay written by Alexander Hamilton defending an independent judiciary, supporting life tenure during good behavior, and clarifying that courts possess neither the power of the purse nor the sword.

Amicus Curiae

Translating to 'friend of the court', a brief submitted by a party not directly involved in a lawsuit to offer expertise or information to guide the court's decision.

Precedent

A prior judicial ruling that creates a binding or persuasive legal standard for deciding subsequent similar cases.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

A landmark Supreme Court decision that removed restrictions on independent political spending by corporations and unions under First Amendment rights.

Ripeness

A threshold requirement for judicial review asking 'Is it ready yet?' to ensure that a legal dispute is actual and immediate, rather than speculative or future.

Standing

A legal requirement asking 'Are YOU the right person to sue?' requiring that a plaintiff has suffered a direct, personal injury or stake in the controversy.

Mootness

A requirement for judicial review asking 'Is there still a problem?' to ensure that an active legal dispute continues to exist and has not already been resolved.

Court Justiciability Questions

The key analytical questions used to assess if a case can be heard: Ripeness ('Is it ready yet?'), Standing ('Are YOU the right person to sue?'), and Mootness ('Is there still a problem?').