Federal Government 2

reapportionment

Allocating house seats to each state after every 10-year census

redistricting

Redrawing congressional district lines to achieve “one person, one vote”

gerrymandering

Drawing district boundaries to favor one party

seventeenth amendment

Senators are now elected by citizens of the state they represent

majority caucus

Party with the majority of seats in the House of Representatives or the Senate

minority caucus

The party that holds the minority in the House of Representatives or Senate

not act on a bill

President either signs the bill into law, or the President allows the bill to become law without signature after a 10-day period

veto override

Regular vetoes occur when the President refuses to sign a bill and returns the bill complete with objections to Congress within 10 days.

Requires a two-thirds affirmative vote in both chambers in order for the bill to become a law

pocket veto

Occurs when the President receives a bill but is unable to reject and return the bill to an adjourned Congress within the 10-day period.

The bill, though lacking a signature and formal objections, does not become a law.

twenty second amendment

Restricts the presidency to two and a half terms

political power

Powers having to do with the ability to persuade

unilateral powers

Actions the President can take on his own as outlined in Article II of the Constitution

discovery

In a court case, each side has the right to find out what information the other side has about the case.

Marbury vs madison

A landmark 1803 Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.

This means the Court has the power to declare laws passed by Congress or acts of the Executive Branch unconstitutional.

textualist

The Constitution should be interpreted as it would have been in 1789 when the original Constitution was ratified or in in 1791  when the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments) was ratified

developmentalist

The Constitution must adapt to changing society if it is to be relevant and respected; the important thing is to find the underlying core values and determine what those values would require now

enumerated powers

These are powers clearly outlined in the Constitution, especially in Article I, Section 8. They include authority such as regulating trade, coining money, and maintaining armed forces.

implied powers

These come from the idea that the government can take necessary actions to fulfill its official duties, even if not directly stated in the Constitution. They are supported by the Necessary and Proper Clause.

inherent powers

These belong to the national government because it exists as a sovereign state. They include basic functions like defending national borders or conducting foreign affairs.

delegate model

This approach to representation emphasizes following the will of the voters. Elected officials act primarily as a voice for the people who elected them, even if they personally disagree.

trustee model

This form of representation allows elected leaders to use their own judgment in decision-making. They act in what they believe is the public's best interest, even if it goes against constituents' wishes.

descriptive representation

This occurs when elected leaders share key characteristics with their constituents, such as race, gender, or ethnicity. The idea is that shared experiences lead to better advocacy.

collective representation

This concept means the legislative body as a whole reflects the interests of the population. Even if individuals don't feel personally represented, the institution still works on behalf of all citizens.

executive orders

These are formal directives issued by the president to guide the actions of federal agencies. They carry the weight of law but must be based on constitutional or legal authority.

select committee

Also known as a special committee, is a temporary or permanent congressional committee established to investigate specific issues or oversee specific functions.

These committees are often investigative rather than legislative, though some may have the power to report legislation.

They are typically appointed for a limited time period to perform a particular study or investigation.

standing committee

A permanent legislative panel established by a legislative body, such as the United States Congress or state legislatures, to handle bills and issues within a specific subject area