AP Government Unit 2

Bicameral Legislature

A two-house legislature designed to represent the states in the federal government.

17th Amendment

Passed in 1913, it established the direct election of senators by the people of each state.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of Congress; consists of 435 members serving two-year terms.

Senate

The upper chamber of Congress; consists of 100 members serving six-year terms.

Caucuses

Factions within the political parties and demographics of Congress.

Power of the Purse

The power of Congress to create and manage the national budget and finances.

Impeachment

The process by which the House of Representatives can charge a president with misconduct.

Advice and Consent

The Senate's power to approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill.

Speaker of the House

The leader of the House of Representatives, responsible for organizing meetings and committee assignments.

Majority Leader

The head of the majority party in either house of Congress, recognized first in debates.

Whip

Deputy leaders in Congress responsible for managing party lines and communications.

President Pro Tempore

A senior member of the Senate who presides over the Senate when the Vice President is unavailable.

Standing Committees

Permanent congressional committees that focus on specific policy areas.

Joint Committee

Committees that include members from both the House and Senate to manage specific issues.

Conference Committee

Temporary committees created to reconcile differences in bills passed by both houses.

Roberts Rules of Order

The set of rules for conducting meetings in the House of Representatives.

Cloture Rule

A procedure to end debate in the Senate, requiring a three-fifths majority vote.

Riders

Non-germane amendments added to bills to benefit specific agendas.

Omnibus Bill

A single bill that packages together multiple measures into one.

Pork Barrel Spending

Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative's district.

Pigeonhole

The process by which a committee chair can decide not to advance a bill for debate.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The president's budgeting arm, responsible for overseeing the federal budget.

Mandatory Spending

Legally required payments for certain programs, including Social Security and Medicare.

Discretionary Spending

Spending not required by law, which includes defense and education.

Partisan

Political cooperation or conflict between opposing parties.

Delegate Voting Model

A model where legislators reflect the will of their constituents.

Trustee Voting Model

A model where legislators use their best judgment, rather than strictly following constituent preferences.

Politico Voting Model

A mix of delegate and trustee approaches to voting.

Redistricting

The process of drawing congressional district boundaries based on population shifts.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or class.

Swing Districts

Districts where election outcomes are uncertain and can be won by either major party.

Lame Duck President

A president who has not won re-election or is ending their second term.

Article II

The section of the Constitution that outlines the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch.

Chief Executive

The role of the president as the leader of the executive branch responsible for enforcing laws.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Signing Statements

Documents issued by presidents that explain their interpretation of a bill when signing it.

Executive Privilege

The president's right to withhold information from Congress or the courts.

Commander-in-Chief

The president's role as the head of the military, holding power over military operations.

Chief Diplomat

The president's role in managing foreign relations and negotiations.

Immediate Staff

Personal advisors and employees appointed by the president who do not require Senate approval.

Inherent Powers

Powers not explicitly outlined in the Constitution but necessary for the president to carry out official duties.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts.

Treason

An act of betrayal against one's country, punishable by law with strict evidentiary requirements.

Stare Decisis

The legal principle of determining points in litigation according to precedent.

Warren Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren, noted for its liberal decisions and commitment to civil rights.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy advocating for judges to interpret the Constitution broadly and take proactive roles.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy where judges defer to the other branches of government in their interpretations.

Civil Service Act

Legislation aimed at ensuring that federal employment is based on merit rather than political affiliation.

Office of Personnel Management

The agency responsible for managing federal human resources.

Discretionary Authority

The power granted to agencies to interpret legislation and create rules.

Iron Triangle

The stable relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and interest groups that influences policy.

Whistleblower Protection Act

Legislation that protects individuals who report misconduct within the federal government.

Legislative Veto

A provision allowing Congress to override agency regulations, later deemed unconstitutional.

Judicial Appointments

The process by which the president nominates judges, requiring Senate approval.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of their platform to promote agenda and influence public opinion.

State of the Union Address

An annual address by the president to Congress outlining the nation's state and future goals.

Nuclear Option

A tactic employed in the Senate to change the rules to lower the number of votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A document submitted to the court by someone who is not a party to the case, offering relevant information.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the Supreme Court's decision and rationale.

Concurring Opinion

An opinion by a justice who agrees with the majority outcome but wants to express different reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

A written opinion by justices who disagree with the majority ruling.

Rehnquist Court

The Supreme Court under Chief Justice William Rehnquist, noted for its conservative interpretations.

Administrative Procedures Act

Legislation outlining the processes agencies must follow to create rules.

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Agencies that operate independently of executive influence, with multiple members serving fixed terms.

Code of Federal Regulations

The compilation of federal rules and regulations created by federal agencies.

Congressional Oversight

The review and supervision of federal agencies by Congress to ensure accountability.

Iron Triangle and Issue Networks

Relationships between agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups that shape policy.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

Legislation aimed at ending the spoils system and establishing a merit-based federal employment system.

National Performance Review

A 1993 initiative aimed at reforming the bureaucracy to improve efficiency and effectiveness.