gov. final review- morse

inferior courts

the lower federal courts, under the Supreme Court

Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case

concurrent jurisdiction

power shared by federal and state courts to hear certain cases

plaintiff

in civil law, the party who brings a suit or some other legal action against another (the defendant) in court

precedent

court decision that stands as an example to be followed in future, similar cases

appellate jurisdiction

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

original jurisdiction

the power of a court to hear a case first, before any other court

Defendant

in a civil suit, the person against whom a court action is brought by the plaintiff; in a criminal case, the person charged with the crime

judicial review

the power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action

writ of certiorari

an order by the Court directing a lower court to send up the record in a given case for review

certificate

the result of a process in which a lower court asks the Court to certify the answer to a specific question, such as a procedure or rule of law

brief

written statement that spells out the party's legal position and cites relevant facts and legal precedents

majority opinion

the opinion on which the decision of the Court is based, which identifies the issues in the case and the reasons for the decision

dissenting opinion

an opinion written by a justice who does not agree with the Court's decision, explaining the reasons why not.

criminal case

a case in which a defendant is tried for committing a crime as defined by the law

civil case

A case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent infringement

docket

a court's list of cases to be heard

record

a transcript of proceedings made in trial court

court martial

a court composed of military personnel, for the trial of those accused of violating military law

civilians tribunal

a court operating as part of the judicial branch, entirely separate from the military establishment

redress

satisfaction of a claim payment

balance the ticket

When a presidential candidate chooses a running mate who can strengthen his chance of being elected by virtue of certain ideological, geographic, racial, ethnic, gender, or other characteristics

executive order

directive, rule, or regulation issued by a chief executive or subordinates, based upon constitutional or statutory authority and having the force of law

executive privilege

the President's power to refuse to disclose information

reprieve

an official postponement of the execution of a sentence

pardon

release from the punishment or legal consequences of a crime, by the President (in a federal case) or a governor (in a State case)

clemency

mercy or leniency granted to an offender by a chief executive

persona non grata

an unwelcome person; used to describe recalled diplomatic officials

treaty

A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states

amnesty

a blanket pardon offered to a group of law violators

commutation

The power to reduce (commute) the length of a sentence or fine for a crime

Chief of state

term for the President as the ceremonial head of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation

Chief Legislator

term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress

chief executive

term for the president as vested with the executive power of the US

chief citizen

Term for the President as the representative of the people, working for the public interest

chief diplomat

Term for the President as the main architect of foreign policy and spokesperson to other countries

chief of party

term for the president as the leader of his or her political party

chief administrator

Term for the President as head of the administration of the Federal Government

commander-in-chief

a head of state or officer in supreme command of the nations armed forces.

3 qualifications to be president/executive branch

-at least 35

-at least 14 years of US residency

-must be natural born citizen

when is inauguration day

January 20th at noon EST (unless its a sunday then Jan.21)

term

2 year period of time during which congress meets

session

period of time each year during which congress assembles and conducts business

convenes

to begin a new session of Congress

adjourn

suspend as in a session of the congress

recess

a time when both houses of congress temporarily suspend business

prorogue

adjourn, as in a legislative session

special session

an extraordinary session of a legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation

Apportioned

distributed, as in seats in a legislative body

at-large

election of an officeholder by the voters of an entire government unit rather than by the voters of a district or subdivision

Gerrymandered

the drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party or group

off-year election

congressional election that occurs between presidential election years

incumbent

the current officeholder

impeach

to bring formal charges against a public official

acquit

to find not guilty of a charge

perjury

act of lying under oath

censure

issue a formal condemnation

subpoena

an order for a person to appear and to produce documents or other requested materials

speaker of the house

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives chosen by and from major party

president of the senate

the presiding officer of a senate; in Congress, the vice president of the United States; in a state's legislature, either the lieutenant governor or a senator

President Pro Tempore

the member of the United States Senate, or of the upper house of a State's legislature, chosen to preside in the absence of the president of the Senate

floor leaders

Members of the House and Senate picked by their parties to carry out party decisions and steer legislative action to meet party goals

majority leader

the floor leader of the party that holds the majority of seats in each house of Congress

minority leader

the floor leader of the party that holds the minority of seats in each house of Congress

whips

assistants to the floor leaders in the House and Senate, responsible for monitoring and marshaling votes

committee chairman

member who heads a standing committee in a legislative body

seniority rules

unwritten rule in both houses of Congress reserving the top posts in each chamber, particularly committee chairmanships, for members with the longest records of service

bill

a proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration

resolution

a measure relating to the business of either house or expressing an opinion; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature

concurrent resolution

a statement of position on an issue used by the House and Senate acting jointly; does not have the force of law and does not require the President's signature

joint resolution

a proposal for action that has the force of law when passed; usually deals with special circumstances or temporary matters

rider

Unpopular provision added to an important bill certain to pass so that it will "ride" through the legislative process

pigeonhole

expression describing how most bills introduced in each session of Congress are buried, put away, or never acted upon

discharge petition

enables members to force a bill that has remained in committee 30 days onto the floor for consideration

quorum

fewest number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority

engross

a bill printed in its final form

filibuster

a stalling tactic in which senators monopolize the Senate floor with talk and other delays so a bill cannot be brought to a vote

cloture

a procedure to limit or end floor debate, especially during a filibuster

veto

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

pocket veto

type of veto a chief executive may use after a legislature has adjourned; when the chief executive does not sign or reject a bill within the time allowed to do so

omnibus measure

one bill that contains numerous issues and topics

steps on how a bill becomes a law (1-6)

1.Bill is introduced, given a number, title and recorded in the journals

2. speaker refers to a committee

3. referred to sub committee

4. floor debates

5. passes and goes to senate and repeats in the house the sent to president

6. The President signs, vetoes, etc bill

Senators

Ted Cruz and John Cornyn (R)

who is the speaker of the house

Mike Johnson (R)

Who is the MINORITY leader of the HOUSE

Hakeem Jeffries (D)

Who is the president of the senate

JD Vance (R)

Who is the MAJORITY leader of the SENATE

John Thune (R)

Who is the MINORITY leader of the SENATE

Charles (Chuck) Schumer (D)

opening day in the USHOR is on?

Jan. 3 @ noon on odd-numbered years

How many members in USHOR?

435

How many permanent committees are in the House?

20

What fraction of the Senate needs to be sworn in and get committee assignments on opening day?

1/3

What succession to the U.S. Presiden is the Speaker of the USHOR in?

3rd

The President of the Senate is?

Vice President

Each term of Congress lasts how many years?

2

what number congress is our current congress in

119

how many members are in the senate

100 members

17th Amendment

direct election by voters

nominate

the process of candidate selection in an electoral system

direct primary

an election held within a party to pick that party's canidates of the general election