AP Gopo Jan 31

Impeachment: The process by which a legislative body, such as Congress, brings charges against a government official, including the President, for misconduct.

Concurrent Powers: Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments, such as the power to tax, build roads, and create lower courts.

Categorical Grants: Federal funds provided for a specific purpose, such as education or transportation, with strict guidelines on how the money can be spent.

Block Grants: Federal funds given to states with fewer restrictions on how the money should be spent, allowing for more flexibility in addressing various needs.

Mandates: Rules or orders issued by the federal government directing states to comply with certain policies, often with financial repercussions for non-compliance.

Federalism: A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, like states.

10th Amendment: The constitutional amendment that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states and the people.

14th Amendment: The constitutional amendment addressing citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, often used in civil rights litigation.

Commerce Clause: A provision in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Indian tribes.

Necessary and Proper Clause: The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the ability to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers.

Elastic Clause: Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause, emphasizing its role in allowing Congress to stretch its powers to meet modern needs.

Enumerated Powers: Powers specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the federal government, such as the power to declare war.

Implied Powers: Powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution but inferred from the enumerated powers, allowing the government to carry out its functions.

Policymaking: The process of creating laws, regulations, and policies that govern the behavior of individuals and organizations within society.

McCulloh v Maryland (1819): A landmark Supreme Court case that affirmed the supremacy of federal laws over state laws and recognized implied powers of Congress.

US v Lopez (1995): A Supreme Court case that limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause, ruling that the possession of a gun in a school zone is not an economic activity that affects interstate commerce.