Unit 2, AP Gov

Incumbents

Those already holding office. In congressional elections, incumbents usually win

casework

Activities of members of Congress that helps constituents as individuals, particularly by cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they have a right to get

Filibuster

A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation use their right to unlimited debate to prevent the Senate from ever voting on a bill. 60 members present and voting can halt a filibuster

Speaker of the House

An office mandated by the Constitution. The speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to the succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant

majority leader

The main partisan ally of the Speaker of the House, or the party's manager in the Senate. The majority leader is responsible for scheduling bills, influencing committee assignments, and representing the party's legislative positions

Minority Leader

The principal leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives or in the Senate

Standing committees

Separate subject-matter committees in each house of Congress that handle bills in different policy areas. These are permanent bodies

Joint committees

Congressional committees on a few subject-matter areas with membership drawn from both houses

Conference Committees

Congressional committees formed with the Senate and the House pass a particular bill in different forms. Party leadership appoints members from each each house to iron out the differences and bring back a single bill

Select committees

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose, such as the Watergate investigation or the Benghazi Investigation

Oversight

Congress's authority to ensure legislation is implemented as intended, including review, monitoring, and supervision of bureaucratic agencies. Includes investigative hearings as well

Bill

A proposed law, drafted in legal language. Anyone can draft a bill, but only a member of the House of Representatives or the Senate can formally submit a bill for consideration

22nd Amendment

Ratified in 1951, this amendment limits its presidents to two terms of office. Remember the 22 limited the president to 2

25th Amendment

Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the VP to become acting president if the VP and the President's cabinet determine that the President is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job

Impeachment

The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may impeach the President by a majority vote from "Treason, Bribery, or high crimes and misdemeanors" The trial is held in the Senate, it's a great example of checks and balances at work

Executive Orders

Regulations originating with the executive branch, one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution. 14 secretaries, the Attorney General, and others designated by the President

Veto

The constitutional power of the President to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. 2/3rds vote in each house can override a veto

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973, in reaction to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. However, Presidents have viewed the resolution as unconstitutional

bureaucracy

A hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principal, behaves with impersonality

Government corporation

A government organization that, like business corporations, provides a service that could be delivered by the private sector and typically charges for its services. The U.S. Postal Service is an example

Independent Executive Agency

The government agencies not accounted for by cabinet departments, independent regulatory commissions, and government corporations. Administrators are typically appointed by the President and serve at the President's pleasure. NASA is an example

Regulation

The use of governmental authority to control or change some practice in the private sector

Deregulation

The lifting of government restrictions on business, industry, and professional activities

Constituents

People represented by elected officials

House Rules committee

Traffic cop of the House, sets the legislative calender and issues rules for debate on a bill

Federalist No. 51

Argues that checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.

Federalist No. 70

Hamilton argues that a strong executive is essential in the new government.

Constitution of the United States

Created a Federal system that gave power to both the central government and the governments of the states

Baker v. Carr (1961)

The redistricting of STATE legislative districts must abide by the "one-person-one-vote" principle. Urban and rural districts had to have proportionately equal populations. A similar case, Wesberry v. Sanders (1964) determined that districts for the US House of Representatives must abide by the "one-person-one-vote" principle.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Redistricting based on race must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny under the EQUAL PROTECTION CLAUSE while bodies doing redistricting must be conscious of race to the extent that they must ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The 12th Congressional District of North Carolina had to be redrawn to be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review empowering the Court to nullify an act of the legislature or executive branch that violates the Constitution. Section 13 of the Judiciary Act of 1789 is unconstitutional to the extent it purports to enlarge the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court beyond that permitted by the Constitution.

Apportionment

the process of determining the number of representatives for each state using census data

Redistricting

states' redrawing of boundaries of electoral districts following each census

Delegate Role

the idea that the main duty of a member of Congress is to carry out constituents' wishes

Trustee Role

the idea that members of Congress should act as trustees, making decisions based on their knowledge and judgement

Politico Role

Representation where members of Congress balance their choices with the interests of their constituents and parties in making decisions divided government. When one party controls the presidency and the other party controls at least one of the chambers of Congress

signing statement

written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself

War Powers Resolution

a law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization

Senate

designed to represent states equally ; has 100 members and debate is less formal than the House ; One-third of the Senate is elected every two years, creating a continuous legislative body ; bills are typically brought to the floor by unanimous consent, but a Senator may request a hold on a bill to prevent it from getting to the floor for a vote. During debate, a Senator can use the filibuster or make a motion for cloture

House of Representatives

designed to represent the people ; Debate in the House, which has 435 members, is more formal than in the Senate ; all House members are elected every two years ; All revenue bills must originate in the House. Rules for debate in the House on a bill are established by the Rules Committee. The House can form a Committee of the Whole in order to expedite debate on bills. An individual representative in the House can file a discharge petition to have a bill brought to the floor for debate, but it is rarely done