AP Gov Unit 2 Quiz 1

Bicameral Structure

Refers to a legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses. In the United States, Congress is bicameral, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through specialized departments run by appointed officials. In the context of Congress, oversight of federal agencies within the bureaucracy is an important function.

Enumerated Powers

These are the specific powers granted to Congress by the Constitution. Examples include the power to coin money, regulate interstate commerce, and declare war.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but are inferred from the enumerated powers and the Necessary and Proper Clause. These allow Congress to take actions needed to fulfill its legislative role.

Interstate Commerce

Refers to the buying, selling, and trading of goods, services, and resources across state lines. Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce according to the Constitution.

Jurisdictions

The legal boundaries or authority within which a body has the right to make decisions and take action. For example, federal courts have different jurisdictions that are established by Congress.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Also known as the "Elastic Clause," this part of the Constitution allows Congress to make laws that are "necessary and proper" for executing its enumerated powers, thereby providing a basis for implied powers.

Oversight

The review and monitoring of federal agencies, programs, and policy implementation by Congress to ensure they are being administered as intended.

Republicanism

A democratic principle where the will of the people is represented in government by elected officials. In the context of Congress, this is reflected in its bicameral structure, designed to represent both states and the population.

Cloture

A procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote in the Senate. It requires a three

Committee of the Whole

A legislative body, such as the House of Representatives, operating in a more informal way to expedite the legislative process. It allows for a quorum of fewer members and more flexible debate rules.

Conference Committee

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences in the House and Senate versions of a bill. Members from both chambers work together to create a single version of the bill.

Discharge Petition

A mechanism in the House of Representatives that allows members to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration. It requires a majority of members to sign the petition.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that is optional and determined through the annual appropriations process. This includes spending on defense, education, and infrastructure.

Entitlement Programs

Government programs that provide benefits to eligible individuals based on established criteria. Examples include Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill. It can be ended by a cloture motion.

Hold

A request by a Senator to prevent a bill from being brought to the floor for a vote. Holds are informal and are honored by the Senate leadership.

Logrolling

The practice of exchanging favors in politics, often by legislators voting for each other's proposed laws to gain support for their own proposals.

Mandatory Spending

Government spending that is required by law, often for entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Mark Up

The process by which a legislative committee reviews, amends, and rewrites a bill.

Medicaid

A joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to low

Medicare

A federal program that provides health coverage to individuals aged 65 and older, and to some younger people with specific disabilities.

Pork

barrel Legislation

Rules Committee

A committee in the House of Representatives that sets the rules for debate on a bill, including how long the debate will last and what kinds of amendments can be offered.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, elected by the members of the House. The Speaker sets the legislative agenda and is second in the line of presidential succession.

Unanimous Consent

An agreement by all members of a legislative body to consider a bill, resolution, or other matter. In the Senate, unanimous consent is often used to expedite the legislative process.

Constituencies/Constituents

Constituencies refer to the body of voters in a specific area who elect a representative. Constituents are the individual voters within that area.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both chambers of Congress.

Equal Protection Challenges

Legal challenges that argue the redrawing of electoral districts violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, often aiming to prevent gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another.

Gridlock

A situation in which no congressional action on legislation can be taken due to a lack of consensus, often caused by ideological divisions or partisanship.

Lame Duck President

A president who is in the final period of their term and has lost influence due to the election of a successor or loss of support in Congress.

Partisan Voting

When members of Congress vote based on their political party affiliation rather than on the issue at hand.

Polarization

The intensification of opposing views and ideologies among political parties or group members, leading to a widening gap and decreased willingness to compromise.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, usually following a census, to ensure equal representation.

Delegate

A representative who sees themselves as an agent of those who elected them and votes based on the interests of their constituents.

Politico

A representative who uses a combination of trustee and delegate role conceptions when making decisions.

Trustee

A representative who votes on issues based on their own knowledge and judgment, rather than strictly following the wishes of their constituents.