AP Government Unit 2 Vocabulary Test

Advice and Consent

The constitutional requirement that the Senate must approve certain Presidential appointments and treaties.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear appeals from lower courts.

Appropriations

Legislation that directs the spending of government funds.

Baker v. Carr (1962)

A landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the issue of legislative redistricting and established the principle of one person, one vote.

Bork, Robert

A legal scholar and judicial nominee known for his controversial rejection by the Senate for the Supreme Court.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of their prestige and visibility to guide or mobilize the American public.

Bureaucracy

The administrative system governing any large institution, often characterized by hierarchical structure and regulations.

Cabinet

A group of advisors to the president, composed of the heads of executive departments.

Cloture Rule

A Senate procedure to end a filibuster, requiring a vote of at least 60 senators.

Compliance Monitoring

The process of ensuring that government regulations are followed by individuals and organizations.

Concurring Opinion

A separate opinion written by a justice who agrees with the majority opinion but has different reasons.

Deficit

The amount by which spending exceeds revenue in a given period.

Delegate Model

A representation model where elected officials act in accordance with the wishes of their constituents.

Dissenting Opinion

An opinion written by a justice who disagrees with the majority ruling.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution.

Environmental Protection Agency

A U.S. government agency dedicated to environmental protection and regulation.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president to manage the operations of the federal government.

Federalist No. 70

An essay by Alexander Hamilton advocating for a strong, energetic executive.

Federalist No. 78

An essay by Alexander Hamilton discussing the judiciary and the importance of an independent judicial branch.

Filibuster

A legislative tactic used to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote.

Germane

Relevant to the topic at hand, particularly regarding amendments in legislative debate.

Gerrymandering

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

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically enumerated in the Constitution but necessary for carrying out enumerated powers.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups that drives policy making.

Issue Networks

Loose and informal relationships among a large number of actors that influence policy.

Judicial Activism

A judicial philosophy advocating for judges to interpret the Constitution broadly and consider societal changes.

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy advocating that courts should limit their own power and defer to legislative and executive branches.

Judicial Review

The authority of courts to review and invalidate government actions that are unconstitutional.

Line-item Veto

The power of an executive to veto specific provisions of a bill, rather than the entire bill.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors or votes to gain support for projects.

Majority Opinion

The official statement of the court's decision, agreed upon by more than half the justices.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

A landmark case that established the principle of judicial review.

Merit System

A personnel system in which employees are selected based on ability and qualifications.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The constitutional provision that allows Congress to make laws necessary to execute its powers.

Omnibus Bill

A single document that packages together various measures into a single proposal.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Patronage

The practice of appointing individuals to government positions as a reward for their loyalty.

Petition for Certiorari

A request for the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision.

Pocket Veto

A tactic used by the president to indirectly veto a bill by taking no action on it for 10 days.

Politico Model

A representation model that combines delegate and trustee models depending on the issue.

Pork-Barrel Spending

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

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power granted to Congress to raise and spend money.

Precedent

A legal decision that serves as an authoritative rule for future similar cases.

President Pro-Tempore

A senior member of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President.

Rule of Four

The Supreme Court's practice of granting a writ of certiorari only if four justices agree to do so.

Securities and Exchange Commission

A U.S. government agency that regulates financial securities and protects investors.

Senatorial Courtesy

The practice whereby the president consults with senators from the state where an appointment is to be made.

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

A case ruling that gerrymandering, based solely on race, is unconstitutional.

Signing Statements

Statements issued by the president when signing a bill, indicating their interpretation or intention.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Spoils System

The practice of giving public office to supporters and friends.

Stare Decisis

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

State of the Union Address

An annual message delivered by the president to Congress outlining the administration's agenda.

Stewardship Theory

A theory of presidential power that advocates for a proactive approach in governance.

Trustee Model

A representation model where elected officials act according to their own judgment and conscience.

U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals

The intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal judiciary.

U.S. Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, with ultimate appellate jurisdiction.

War Powers Act (1973)

A law that limits the president's ability to engage U.S. troops without congressional consent.

Whip

A party member responsible for ensuring party discipline and mobilizing votes.

Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)

A law designed to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.