AP GOV Vocab 5

16th amendment

gives Congress the power to collect a federal income tax, allowing the government to tax income from any source without dividing it among the states by population

House Ways and Means Committee

oldest tax-writing body in the US HOR — shapes fiscal legislation including taxes, tariffs, and social service projects

Judicial Activism

a judicial practice where judges use their position to actively shape public policy by interpreting laws and the constitution in ways that address social issues

Judicial Restraint

philosophy that advocates for limited judicial power, looking for a clear violation of the constitution

Precedent

a past court decision that serves as an authority for future cases with similar facts

Senatorial Courtesy

tactic among senators not to vote for any presidential nominee who is opposed by the senators from the nominee’s home state

Social Security Act

established a federal system to provide economic security — aimed to reduce poverty

Stare Decisis

the legal principle that courts should follow precedent to ensure legal consistency

Super PAC

organization can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to campaign for or against political candidates

Appropriations Bill

legislation that provide funding for government agencies, programs, and activites