Unit 2 - Interaction Among the Branches of Government (BARRON'S REVIEW)

Key Terms

• Bicameral - Referring to a legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses, such as the U.S. Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• Bully pulpit - a term used to describe the president's unique ability to influence and persuade the public and Congress through the power of their office and the media.

• Cloture - a procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster, requiring a three-fifths majority vote (currently 60 votes) to limit further debate on a bill and proceed to a vote.

• Committee of the Whole - a procedure in which all members of the House of Representatives sit as a single committee, allowing for more informal debate and discussion on legislation, typically used for considering the annual budget.

• Compliance Monitoring - the process by which government agencies ensure that individuals and organizations adhere to laws and regulations, often involving inspections, audits, and reporting requirements.

• Congressional Oversight - the review and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation by Congress to ensure accountability and transparency in government operations.

• Delegate - a member of Congress who acts on behalf of their constituents, often emphasizing the importance of representing the interests and preferences of the people in their district during the legislative process.

• Discharge petition - a legislative device used in the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and to the floor for a vote, allowing a majority of members to bypass the usual committee process when they believe that a bill is being stalled.

• Discretionary spending - government spending that is not mandated by existing laws and can be adjusted or allocated by Congress during the annual budget process, enabling them to prioritize funding for various programs and initiatives. Examples include appropriations for education, healthcare programs, and infrastructure projects that are subject to annual review and allocation by Congress.

• Divided government - a situation in which one political party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both houses of Congress, often leading to challenges in passing legislation due to differing priorities and agendas.

• Entitlement - a government program that guarantees certain benefits to a particular group or segment of the population, such as Social Security and Medicare, which are funded by mandatory spending and are not subject to annual appropriations.

• Enumerated power - powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, including the authority to levy taxes, regulate interstate commerce, and declare war, which delineate the scope of federal legislative authority.

• Executive order - a directive issued by the President of the United States to manage the operations of the federal government, which has the force of law but does not require congressional approval, often used to implement policies or respond to emergencies.

• Filibuster - a procedural tactic used in the Senate to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, allowing a senator or group of senators to speak for an extended period, thereby requiring a supermajority of 60 votes to invoke cloture and end the debate.

• Formal power - the authority granted to a government official or institution through the Constitution or statutory law, which includes the ability to make decisions, enforce laws, and execute policies within defined limits, contrasting with informal powers that may arise from political influence or public opinion.

• Gerrymandering - the intentional manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another, often resulting in districts that are irregularly shaped and do not accurately reflect the demographic distribution of the population.

• Gridlock reapportionment - the situation that arises when there is a stalemate in the legislative process, often due to divided government or conflicting interests among the branches, making it difficult to pass legislation and effectively govern.

• Hold - the process of maintaining a legislative proposal in a committee without a vote, effectively stalling its progress and preventing it from reaching the floor for debate.

• Implied power - the authority of Congress to enact laws not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, based on the Necessary and Proper Clause, allowing for flexibility in governance and the ability to address contemporary issues.

• Informal power - the influence and authority that arise from the relationships, practices, and norms within Congress and the executive branch, which can affect decision-making and policy outcomes beyond formal constitutional powers.

• Judicial activism - a philosophy that advocates for the judiciary to play an active role in interpreting the Constitution and laws, often leading to decisions that address social issues and protect individual rights, even if such interpretations extend beyond the original text.

• Judicial restraint - a philosophy that encourages the judiciary to limit its own power by refraining from striking down laws unless they are clearly unconstitutional, thereby promoting stability and respecting the roles of the legislative and executive branches.

• Lame duck - a term used to describe an elected official or group of officials who are still in office after having lost a reelection bid or are in the final period of their term, often leading to diminished political power and effectiveness.

• Logrolling - a practice in which legislators agree to vote for each other's proposed legislation, often used to secure the passage of bills that may not have enough individual support on their own.

• Mandatory spending - government expenditures that are required by existing law, including programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, which must be funded regardless of the annual budget decisions.

• Mark-up - the process by which congressional committees and subcommittees review, amend, and revise proposed legislation before it is presented to the full chamber for a vote.

• Necessary and Proper clause - a constitutional provision that grants Congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, allowing for flexibility in legislative action.

• One person, one vote - a principle that ensures each individual's vote carries equal weight in elections, reinforcing the democratic ideal of equal representation.

• Partisan voting - the tendency of legislators to align their votes with their political party's stance, often leading to a lack of bipartisan cooperation and increasing polarization within the legislative process.

• Pocket veto - a special type of veto that occurs when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned, effectively preventing the bill from becoming law without issuing a formal veto.

• Polarization - the growing ideological divide between political parties, which can hinder legislative progress and result in gridlock, as members prioritize party loyalty over collaborative governance.

• Policy agenda - the set of issues that policymakers prioritize for action, which can be influenced by public opinion, interest groups, and political parties, shaping the legislative focus and outcomes.

• Politico - a hybrid model of political representation that combines elements of both delegate and trustee roles, where elected officials consider the opinions of their constituents while also exercising their own judgment in decision-making.

• Pork-barrel legislation - the practice of including specific projects or funding in a bill that benefits a particular district or constituency, often used by legislators to secure support from local voters and showcase their effectiveness in bringing resources back to their home areas.

• Precedent - a legal principle or rule that is established in a previous case and is then used as a basis for decisions in subsequent cases, helping to ensure consistency and predictability in the judicial system.

• Redistricting - the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries to reflect population changes and ensure equal representation, which can significantly impact the balance of power among political parties.

• Rider Amendment - a provision added to a bill that is often unrelated to the main topic of the legislation, allowing lawmakers to attach specific measures or funding requests to larger bills, thereby increasing the chances of passage for both the rider and the primary legislation.

• Rules committee - a committee in the House of Representatives responsible for determining the rules and procedures under which legislation will be considered, including the scheduling of debates and the allocation of time for discussion, playing a crucial role in shaping legislative outcomes.

• Signing statement - a written declaration made by the President when signing a bill into law, which may outline the President's interpretation of the legislation, express concerns about certain provisions, or indicate how the law will be enforced, thereby influencing the implementation of the law.

• Stare decisis - the legal principle of adhering to precedent in judicial decisions, which promotes stability and predictability in the law by requiring courts to follow established rulings in similar cases.

• Trustee - a member of Congress who acts according to their own judgment and conscience, rather than following the preferences of their constituents, emphasizing a role in representing the broader interests of the nation.

• Unanimous consent - an agreement by all members present in a legislative body to approve a proposal or measure without a formal vote, often used to expedite proceedings and avoid extended debate.

• Veto - the constitutional power of the president to reject a bill passed by Congress, which can be overridden only by a two-thirds majority in both houses, serving as a critical check on legislative authority.

• Whips - party leaders in Congress responsible for mobilizing votes and ensuring party discipline, acting as a communication link between the party leadership and its members.

• White House staff - individuals who assist the president in various capacities, providing support in policy development, communication, and administration, playing a crucial role in the execution of the executive agenda.