Unit 2: The Branches of the Federal Government

Pork Barrel Spending

Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states

Logrolling

An agreement by two or more lawmakers to support each other's bills

Oversight

The effort by Congress, through hearings, investigations, and other techniques, to exercise control over the activities of executive agencies

Constituency

The people and interests that an elected official represents

Apportionment

Distribution of representatives among the states based on the population of each state

Redistricting

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Majority-Minority Districts

The process by which a majority of the population is from the minority.

Malapportionment

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population

Incumbency

Being already in office as opposed to running for the first time

Incumbency Advantage

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election

Speaker of the House

The leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

House Majority Leader

The person who is the second in command of the House of Representatives

Whip

A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking

Minority Leader

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

Senate Majority Leader

The chief spokesperson of the majority party in the Senate, who directs the legislative program and party strategy.

Committee Chair

Leader of a congressional committee who has authority over the committee's agenda

Discharge Petition

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

House Rules Committee

An institution unique to the House of Representatives that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House.

Committee of the Whole

A committee that consists of an entire legislative body; used for a procedure in which a legislative body expedites its business by resolving itself into a committee of itself.

Unanimous Consent Agreement

An agreement in the Senate that sets the terms for consideration of a bill

Filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Cloture

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Entitlement Program

A program that provides benefits for those who qualify under the law, regardless of income

Mandatory Spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Discretionary Spending

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Budget Surplus

An excess of tax revenue over government spending

Budget Deficit

A shortfall of tax revenue from government spending

National Debt

The sum of government deficits over time.

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

Bipartisanship

Agreement between the parties to work together in Congress to pass legislation

Gridlock

The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

Divided Government

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Lame Duck Period

The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president serves

Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out laws

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Treaty

A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states

Pocket Veto

President's power to kill a bill by not signing it for 10 days (of Congress is not in session)

Presidential Pardon

Presidential authority to release individuals convicted of a crime from legal consequences and set aside punishment for a crime

Executive Privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Executive Agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

Signing Statement

A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval.

Impeachment

A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Federal Judiciary

The branch of the federal government that interprets the laws of the nation

Supreme Court

The highest federal court in the United States

Original Jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

Judicial Review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

Criminal Law

A law that defines crimes against the public order.

Civil Law

A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.

Precedent

An example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

Stare Decisis

A Latin phrase meaning "let the decision stand." Most cases reaching appellate courts are settled on this principle.

Majority Opinion

A statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case

Concurring Opinion

An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.

Dissenting Opinion

A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion

Judicial Restraint

A judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policymaking roles, leaving that duty strictly to the legislatures

Judicial Activism

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.

Federal Bureaucracy

Agencies and the employees of the executive branch of government

Bureaucrat

Government official

Political Patronage

Appointment to political office, usually as a reward for helping get a president elected (spoils system)

Pendleton Act of 1883

Bill that outlawed compulsory campaign contributions from federal employees and established the Civil Service Commission.

Federal Civil Service

Merit-based bureaucracy, excluding the armed forces and political appointments

Iron Triangle

The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests.

Bureaucratic Discretion

Bureaucrats' use of their own judgement in interpreting and carrying out the laws of Congress

Regulation

Government intervention in a market that affects the production of a good