US GOV Final

Federal agencies: FBI, CIA, EPA, NASA

Only in the House: Revenue bills start here, more members (435), limited debate time

War Powers Act: Passed to limit presidential military power after Vietnam; president must notify Congress within 48 hours of sending troops, must withdraw in 60 days unless Congress approves

Term limits in Congress: Prevent career politicians, reduce corruption, bring fresh ideas

Override veto: 2/3 vote in both House and Senate

Impeachment: House brings charges, Senate holds trial; Chief Justice presides if president is on trial

Original jurisdiction: The court’s power to hear a case first (e.g., Supreme Court in state disputes)

Judicial activism vs. restraint: Activism = courts make bold changes; Restraint = courts defer to laws

Becoming a Supreme Court judge: Nominated by president, confirmed by Senate

Hard to implement laws: Bureaucracy, vague laws, opposition from states or courts

Criminal vs. Civil suits: Criminal = broke law; Civil = dispute between parties

Factors in Supreme Court rulings: Constitution, precedent, public opinion, personal beliefs

Census & government branch: Legislative; used to allocate House seats

Scorekeeper, watchdog, gatekeeper: Scorekeeper tracks winners, watchdog exposes scandals, gatekeeper sets political agenda

Who votes how & why: Party ID, issues, candidate image affect votes

News coverage teaches: Image, soundbites, personality—less on policy

Criticisms of primaries: Low turnout, too long, frontloading, too much media influence

Voter registration change: Motor Voter Act, online reg; made it easier but turnout still low

Interest groups: Sierra Club (enviro), AFL-CIO (labor), Chamber of Commerce (business)

Lobbyist tactics: Campaign donations, info, testifying, lawsuits

Primary realities: Need money, media, name recognition

PACs: Donate to candidates, have donation limits, can influence policy

JFK/Nixon debate: JFK looked better on TV, changed campaign strategies forever

Poll realities: Can be inaccurate, question wording matters

Reapportionment: Redistributing House seats based on census

Most Americans are: Moderates

“Father of media politics:” Ronald Reagan; skilled in media use

Electoral College numbers: Based on House + Senate seats

Frontloading: States move primaries earlier for more influence

Liberal vs. Conservative: Libs = gov’t help, pro-choice; Cons = less gov’t, pro-life

Supremacy Clause: Federal law overrides state laws

Separation of powers basis: Prevent tyranny by dividing powers

Judicial review: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional

Branch jobs: Leg = makes laws, Exec = enforces laws, Jud = interprets laws

Checks and balances: Veto, impeachment, judicial review

Confederation vs. Federal: Confed = states hold power; Federal = shared with national gov

14th Amendment: Equal protection under the law

Articles of Confederation issues: Weak federal gov’t, no taxes, no army

Congress reps per state: House based on population; Senate = 2

Double jeopardy: Can’t be tried twice for same crime

Exclusionary rule: Illegally obtained evidence can’t be used

5th Amendment: Due process, no double jeopardy, right to remain silent

Miranda v. Arizona: Must be informed of rights before questioning

Schenck v. US: Free speech limited during wartime; restraint

McCulloch v. Maryland: Federal power > state; used Necessary and Proper Clause

Brown v. Board: Desegregated schools; immediate integration

House vs. Senate: House = fast, strict rules; Senate = slower, filibuster allowed

Incumbent advantages: Name recognition, funding, experience

Cloture: Ends filibuster; needs 60 Senate votes

Mapp v. Ohio: Exclusionary rule applied to states

Establishment Clause: No gov’t-sponsored religion

Primary vs. Caucus: Primary = private vote; Caucus = public discussion/vote

Formal Presidential Powers: Veto, appoint, negotiate treaties, command military

Federal gov can regulate: Interstate commerce, foreign trade

Budget draft help: Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

State route to Supreme Court: State → appeals → state supreme → US Supreme Court

To appeal: Must show legal error or unfair trial

Warrant requirements: Probable cause + judge’s approval

Judicial review = informal amendment: Changes Constitution’s effect without changing the text