Unit 2 AP Gov concepts

filibuster

filibuster

 a tactic to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill

cloture

a procedure to end a debate

discharge petition

a filing by a House member to have a bill brough to the floor for debate, but rarely done

power of the purse

the ability of Congress to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds

discretionary spending

approved on an annual basis for defense spending, education, and infrastructure ; as

mandatory spending

required by law for entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid

entitlement programs

Programs in which citizens are entitled too based

germane/ nongermane amendments

germane: related to bill directly, non: used to stall not related to bill

budget deficit

needed amount exceeds the expected revenue

pork barrel legislation

funding for a local project in a larger appropriation bill

gerrymandering

redrawing of congressional districts with the intent to create undue advantage for a political party

redistricting

redrawing of congressional districts by state legislatures based on congressional reapportionment

reapportionment

redistribution of congressional seats to the several states based on the U.S. Census held every 10 years

divided government

when one party controls the presidency and the other party controls at least one of the chambers of Congress

lame duck president

an outgoing politician or group of politicians who continue to serve until the assumption of their elected successors

trustee model

 representative who will vote on issues based on their own knowledge and judgment

delegate model

A representative who sees themselves as an agent of those who elected them and will vote on issues based on the interests of their constituents

politico model

uses a combination of trustee and delegate role conceptions

pocket veto

formal power of the President to check Congress, and cannot be overridden with a 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress

executive order

an informal power to allow the president to manage the federal government and are implied by the president’s vested executive power or by power delegated by Congress

executive agreement

informal foreign policy power of the President

signing statements

an informal power of the President to inform Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president

stare decisis

the legal doctrine under which courts follow legal precedents when deciding cases with similar facts)

certiorari

to make more certain

amicus curiae brief

assist an appellate court by offering additional, relevant information or arguments the court may want to consider before making their ruling

judicial review

the Supreme Court’s power to determine the constitutionality of a congressional law, executive action, or state law or state court decision

judicial restraint

asserts that judicial review should be constrained to decisions that adhere to current Constitutional and case precedent

issue network

alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that are prominent in specific policy areas

congressional oversight

Congressional authority to ensure legislation is implemented as intended, including i. review, monitoring, and supervision of bureaucratic agencies ii. Investigation and committee hearings of bureaucratic activity iii. Power of the purse ; serves as a check of executive authorization

delegated discretionary authority

the practice of Congress granting federal agencies the power to make decisions and implement policies within their areas of expertise

compliance monitoring

ensures that funds are being used properly