AP Government Unit IV Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on AP Government Unit IV lecture notes.

House Rules Committee

Sets debate time and amendment rules for House bills.

Filibuster

Senator talks/delays to block a vote.

Cloture

60 senators vote to end a filibuster.

Unanimous consent

Senate agreement to speed things up with no objections.

Hold

Senator's warning they may block or delay a bill or nomination.

Pork-barrel/Earmark

Money for local projects to please voters.

Logrolling

"You vote for my project, I'll vote for yours."

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to favor a party/incumbents.

Apportionment

Dividing House seats among states after census.

Redistricting

Redrawing district lines within a state.

Baker v. Carr

Allowed courts to hear redistricting cases ("one person, one vote").

Shaw v. Reno

Race can't be the main reason for district lines.

Veto

President rejects a bill.

Pocket veto

President lets bill die by doing nothing at end of session.

Veto override

Congress passes bill anyway with 2/3 in both chambers.

Executive order

President's rule telling the bureaucracy how to act.

Executive agreement

President's deal with another country (no Senate treaty vote).

Signing statement

President's note on how he'll interpret a law.

Bully pulpit

President uses media to pressure Congress/public.

War Powers Resolution

Notify Congress in 48 hours; get OK in 60 days or withdraw.

Cabinet

Heads of big departments (State, Defense, etc.).

White House Staff

President's closest advisors (not Senate-confirmed).

Bureaucracy

Agencies that write rules, enforce them, and judge small disputes.

Regulation

A rule made by an agency to carry out its responsibilities.

Government corporation

Government-run business (USPS, Amtrak).

Iron triangle

Congress committee + agency + interest group helping each other.

Issue network

Looser web of experts, media, think tanks, and groups on a policy.

Merit system

Hire/promote by qualifications, not politics.

Patronage

Jobs given for political loyalty (spoils system).

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Helps the President make the budget and review rules.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Nonpartisan budget analysis for Congress.

Judiciary

The courts.

Judicial review

Courts can strike laws/actions as unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

Stare decisis

Follow precedent unless strong reason to change.

Judicial restraint

Defer to elected branches/precedent.

Judicial activism

More willing to strike laws or set new rules.

Original jurisdiction

Court hears a case first.

Appellate jurisdiction

Court reviews a lower court decision.

Writ of certiorari

Supreme Court order to hear a case.

Rule of Four

Four justices must agree to take a case.

Amicus curiae brief

"Friend of the court" brief with extra arguments.

Federalist 70

Hamilton says one strong executive is best.

Federalist 78

Hamilton says courts are independent and can do judicial review.

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes in federal elections.

22nd Amendment

Two-term limit for President.

25th Amendment

Presidential succession and disability process.

Hatch Act

Limits political activity of federal workers on the job.

Bicameral

Two-house Congress (House + Senate).

Incumbent

Current officeholder running again.

Constituents

People who live in a member of Congress's district/state.

Delegate model

Rep votes how their voters want.

Trustee model

Rep uses their own judgment.

Partisan/Organizational model

Rep follows their party.

Politico model

Mix of delegate, trustee, partisan - depends on issue.

Standing committee

Permanent group that handles bills on a topic.

Select committee

Temporary group for a special issue.

Joint committee

Members of both chambers; handles shared issues.