AP U.S. Government: Key Terms and Supreme Court Cases

Caucuses

A meeting of party members used to coordinate legislative strategy, discuss policy goals, and decide on leadership or candidates.

Enumerated powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, such as taxing, declaring war, regulating commerce, and coining money.

Filibuster

A Senate tactic where a senator extends debate to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Cloture

A Senate procedure requiring a supermajority vote (usually 60) to end debate and stop a filibuster.

Riders

Additional provisions added to a bill, often unrelated to the bill's main purpose, used to pass measures that might fail independently.

Omnibus bill

A large bill that packages together multiple smaller or unrelated bills into one massive piece of legislation.

Pork-barrel spending

Government spending on localized projects intended to benefit a representative's district and gain political support.

Logrolling

An agreement between lawmakers to support each other's bills or amendments.

Lame duck president

A president with reduced influence because they are near the end of their term and not returning to office.

Speaker of the House

The most powerful member of the House who sets the legislative agenda, presides over debate, and leads the majority party.

Majority Leader

The leader of the majority party in either chamber who plans strategy and guides legislation.

Minority Leader

The leader of the minority party who negotiates with the majority and organizes opposition strategy.

Whips

Party officials who ensure members vote in line with party leadership and track vote counts.

President Pro Tempore

The senior majority-party senator who presides when the vice president is absent and performs formal Senate duties.

Ways and Means Committee

A powerful House committee responsible for writing tax laws and overseeing major financial programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Baker v. Carr

A Supreme Court case that allowed federal courts to hear redistricting cases and ruled that unequal districts violated the Equal Protection Clause.

Shaw v. Reno

A Supreme Court case ruling that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause.

Formal powers

Constitutionally granted presidential powers, such as vetoing laws, making treaties (with Senate approval), and commanding the military.

Informal powers

Presidential powers not written in the Constitution, such as executive orders, executive agreements, and using the bully pulpit.

Veto

The president's constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

When the president takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days, causing the bill to die.

Executive agreement

An agreement between the president and another country that does not require Senate approval.

Executive order

A formal directive from the president that manages operations within the federal government and carries the force of law.

Signing statements

Written comments issued by the president when signing a bill, explaining how the administration interprets or will enforce the law.

Executive privilege

The president's claimed right to keep certain communications confidential for national security or decision-making reasons.

Inherent powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but understood to belong to the national government.

Bully pulpit

The president's ability to use their position to speak directly to the public and shape public opinion or pressure Congress.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

The top military officers from each branch who advise the president on military strategy and national security.

Chief of Staff

The president's top aide who manages White House operations, controls access, and coordinates strategy.

National Security Advisor

The official who advises the president on national security issues and coordinates defense, intelligence, and foreign policy decisions.

Original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case first and determine the facts.

Appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review lower court decisions and correct legal or constitutional errors.

Stare decisis

The principle that courts should follow precedent to maintain consistency and stability in the law.

Binding precedent

A previous ruling that lower courts in the same system must follow.

Persuasive precedent

A ruling from another jurisdiction that judges may consider but are not required to follow.

Strict constructionist

Someone who interprets the Constitution narrowly and emphasizes the text and original intent.

Liberal constructionist

Someone who interprets the Constitution broadly and believes its principles should adapt to modern conditions.

Petition for certiorari

A formal request asking the Supreme Court to review a case from a lower court.

Rule of four

The rule that at least four Supreme Court justices must agree to hear a case for it to be accepted.

Judicial activism

A philosophy where judges interpret the Constitution broadly, sometimes overturn precedent or laws to expand rights or address social issues.

Judicial restraint

A philosophy where judges limit their power, follow precedent, and interpret the Constitution narrowly.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark case that established judicial review, giving courts the power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Compliance monitoring

The process where government agencies ensure individuals or organizations follow laws and regulations through inspections and enforcement.

Iron triangle

A stable relationship among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that work together to shape policy.

Issue networks

Flexible, temporary alliances of interest groups, experts, and officials who collaborate to influence policy on a specific issue.

Spoils system

The old practice of giving government jobs to political supporters or friends after winning an election.

Delegated discretionary authority

Powers Congress gives to agencies allowing them to interpret laws and create rules within their areas of expertise.

Administrative Procedures Act

A law requiring agencies to follow transparent steps—like public notice and comment—when creating new regulations.

Code of Federal Regulations

The organized collection of all current federal rules and regulations issued by government agencies.

Legislative veto

A former congressional power to overturn agency actions, later ruled unconstitutional for violating separation of powers.

Federal Reserve Board

An independent agency that manages U.S. monetary policy, regulates banks, and influences interest rates.

Federal Election Commission

The agency that enforces campaign finance laws and monitors political spending and election transparency.

Securities and Exchange Commission

The agency that regulates financial markets, enforces securities laws, and protects investors from fraud.

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs

The federal office that reviews and approves agency regulations to ensure consistency, cost-effectiveness, and alignment with presidential priorities.

Stare decisis

Stare decisis is a Latin phrase meaning "to stand by things decided," and it is the legal principle that courts should follow precedent—previous judicial decisions—when deciding new cases with similar issues