AP US Government and Politics

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-Layer Cake" federalism

Clear division of responsibilities between National and State Government

2

-Marble Cake" federalism

shared functions and cooperation of national and state responsibilities

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"Lame Duck President

president nearing end of term, following successor being elected

4

Advice and Consent power

Senate authority to review and approve presidential appointments and treaties

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Amendment Process

method of altering the Constitution, requiring 2/3 Congress proposal and 3/4 state ratification

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Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in employment and public service

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Ambassadors

Officials appointed by President, to represent

U.S. in foreign countries

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Anti-Federalists

Opposed Constitution, favored stronger state government, weaker central government

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Article I

Established Legislative Branch, outlines powers and structure

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Article II

Established Executive Branch, outlines powers and responsibilities of the President

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Article III

Established the Judicial Branch, including

Supreme Court and powers

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Article IV

Addressed state powers and interactions, guaranteed republican form of government

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Article V

Outlines process of amending Constitution

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Article VI

Establishes Constitution, federal laws, and treaties along with Supreme Law of the land

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Article VII

Describes ratification of Constitution

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Articles of Confederation (Describe)

Established loose confederation of states with limited central power

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Articles of Confederation (Principles of

Government)

State Sovereignty, weak central government, no executive or judicial branch

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Confederation

Union of Sovereign states with limited central

authority

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Conference Committee

temporary committee to reconcile difference between House and Senate version of a bill

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Congressional Hearings

Meetings held by congressional hearings to provide oversight

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Constituency

Voters, represented by elected official

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Cooperative Federalism (Marble Cake

Federalism)

Systems where national and state government work together shared issues

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Declaration of Independence (Describe)

Governing Document declaring independence from Britain

Declaration of Independence (Principles of Government)

Emphasized natural rights, popular sovereignty, right to overthrow oppressive government

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Delegated Powers

powers granted to federal government

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Divided Government

presidency and congress are controlled by different parties

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Dual federalism

system where national and state government operate independently in their own spheres

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Dual Federalism (Layer Cake

Federalism)

Emphasizing distinctly separation of powers

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Electoral College

body of electors established by Constitution, formally elect president and vice president

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Elite Democracy

Model of democracy- small privileged group makes decisions

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Enumerated Powers

Powers written in Constitution belonging to federal government

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Executive Agreement

International agreement made by President without Senate approval

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Executive Compromise

Agreements during Constitutional Convention regarding executive power

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Executive Order

Directive issued by president force of law without congressional approval

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Executive Privilege

President's right to withhold information from Congress or courts in certain situations

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Expressed Powers

Powers explicitly stated in Constitution

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Factions

Groups with shared interest work against common good or broader public interests

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Federalism

system of government power divided between national and state government, each with sovereignty in some areas

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Federalist #10 (Describe)

Discusses dangers of factions, argues large republic best to control factions to prevent one faction from gaining too much power

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Federalist #10 (Principles of

Government)

Belief multiple competing groups can coexist without one dominating, Republicanism,

protecting minority rights

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Federalist #51 (Describe)

checks and balances with separation of powers within federal government to prevent tyranny and ensure no single branch becomes to

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Federalist #51 (Principles of

Government)

powerful

checks and balances - each branch ability to limit powers of another branch.... Separation of power diving government responsibilities among different branches

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Federalist #70 (Describe)

argues for strong, energetic executive, single president more effective and accountable

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Federalist #70 (Principles of Government)

accountability, unity in executive, ability to act quickly and decisively

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Federalist #78 (Describe)

Independent judiciary, concept of judicial review where courts can rule laws unconstitutional

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Federalist #78 (Principles of Government)

Judicial independence, free from political influence, life tenure for judges promotes stability and prevents political pressure

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Federalist Papers

collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison and John Jay supporting ratification

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Federalists

favored strong central government

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Fiscal federalism

distribution of funding from federal government to state and local through grants to influence policies and programs

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Formal Presidential Powers

written in constitution for president such as veto legislation, commanding armed forces, making treaties, appointing officials

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Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article IV states recognize public acts, records and judicial proceeding of other states

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Gerrymandering

manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor particular political party

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Grants

Funds provided by Federal government to state or local governments with SPECIFIC purposes

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Great (Connecticut) Compromise

created bicameral legislature, House of Representatives based on population, Senate equal representation two for each state

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Gridlock

government action hindered by lack of cooperation between different branches or political parties

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Honeymoon period

early months of presidential term public approval is typically high

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Ideological Division

deep differences in political beliefs and values that can lead to polarization and difficulty achieving compromise

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Impeachment

House of Representatives brings charges accusing public official of wrongdoing, Senate holds trial which could lead to removal from

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Implied Powers

Powers not stated in Constitution but inferred as necessary to carry out enumerated powers,

Necessary and Proper Clause

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Incentives

Benefits or rewards offered to encourage certain behaviors or actions, to influence state or individual decisions

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Informal Presidential Powers

powers not stated in constitution but developed over time, such as issuing executive orders, setting legislative agendas and conducting foreign policy

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Inherent powers

powers not stated in constitution but essential for government function, defending nation or regulating immigration

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John Locke

natural rights (life, liberty and property) social contract and influenced American Revolution

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Joint Committee

Committee composed of members from the House of Representatives and Senate

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Judicial Review

Courts determines constitutionality of laws or government actions, established by Marbury v Madison

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Lame-Duck Period

Period between election of new president or Congress end of current officeholders term

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Limited government

power restricted by law usually through a constitution

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Majority Leader

leader of majority party, U.S. House of Representatives or Senate, responsible to set legislative agenda, coordinate party strategy and ensuring party unity

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Majority Whip

count votes and ensure members vote according to party position on key issue

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Mandates

Requirements or directives issues by federal government for state or local government to follow, without providing funding

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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

(CONTEXT)

Marbury appointed justice of the peace by outgoing President Adams, but incoming secretary of state James Madison under President offered refused to delivery

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Marbury v. Madison (1803)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

established judicial review

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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

State of Maryland attempted to tax the Second Bank of United States, head of bank McCulloch refused to pay tax

91

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

(CONTEXT)

Maryland imposed tax on national bank, argued states had power to tax institutions within border. McCulloch argued national government had authority to establish bank and Maryland tax

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McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

national bank authority under Necessary and

Proper Clause

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Minority Leader

leader of minority party, represents interest of minority party

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Minority Whip

responsible for counting votes and ensuring party unity on key issues

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Montesquieu

advocated for separation of powers

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Multiple Policy Access Points

opportunities for citizens and interest groups have to influence public policy at local, state and federal government

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Natural Rights

rights inherent to all individuals; life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

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Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic

Clause)

Article 1 Section & granting congress to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out enumerated powers

99

New Jersey Plan

equal representation plan, favored small states

100 Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

executive office responsible for preparing federal budget, reviewing regulation and overseeing federal agencies

101

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

agency federal civil service, managing hiring, pay scales, benefits of government employees

102

Participatory Democracy

model of democracy - all citizens engage in political process, voting, town hall meetings, influence government decisions

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Partisanship

strong loyalty to political party leading to political division

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Pluralist Democracy

theory of democracy - multiple competing interest groups influence government policy

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Pocket Veto

presidents ability indirectly veto a bill by refusing to sign it within 10 days, preventing it from becoming law

106

Policy Agenda

list of issues policymakers and government leaders prioritize for action, influence by public opinion, interest groups, and media coverage

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Popular Sovereignty

government derives power from consent of the governed

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Power of the Purse

Congress power granted to raise and spend money, levy taxes and allocate government funding

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Preamble

introduction statement of U.S. Constitution "We the People"

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President of the Senate

role of Vice President presides over senate and cast tie breaking vote when necessary

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President Pro Tempore

senior member of majority party who serves in absence of vice president

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Privileges and Immunities Clause

Article IV prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states

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Quorum

minimum number of members required to be present for legislative body to conduct business

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Ratification

approval process of treaty, law or constitutional amendment

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Reapportionment

process of redistributing seats in House of Representatives based on changes in population... determined by census

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Redistricting

process of redrawing congressional and legislative districts to reflect population shifts ensure equal representation

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Representative Democracy

system of government citizens elect officials to make laws and policy

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Republic (Republicanism)

form of government, power held by people and elected representatives

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Reserved Powers

powers not delegated to federal government by Constitution are reserved for states

/120

Revenue sharing

Fiscal policy of federal government distributes portion of tax revenue to state and local government few or no restrictions

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Rules Committee

powerful committee, determines rules for debate on bills, time limit and if amendments can be added

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Select Committee

temporary legislative committee, investigate specific issues

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Separation of powers

divides government responsibilities among three branches

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Shaw v Reno (1993) (Context)

North Carolina created congressional district

Shaped oddly designed to ensure election of African American Representative, racial gerrymandering

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Shaw v Reno (1993) (Significance)

Supreme Court ruled race-based redistricting held to strict scrutiny drawn primarily on racial lines could violate Equal Protection Clause of Fourteenth Amendment

126

Shay's Rebellion

Uprising of farmers in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shay protesting taxes and foreclosures, exposes weaknesses in Articles of Confederation

127

Signing Statement

written statement issued by president when signing bill into law, explaining how administration interprets the law

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Slave Trade Compromise

slave trade continued until 1808

129

Social Contract

government derives legitimacy from consent of the governed, citizens agree to surrender some freedoms in exchange for protection

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Speaker of the House

most powerful in House of Representatives, sets legislative agenda, second in presidential line of succession after VP

131

Standing Committee

permanent committee handles bills and issues related to specific policy; Foreign Affairs, Education, Judiciary

132

State of the Union Address

Annual speech delivered by President of the United States to Congress outlining administrations legislative priorities

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State Sovereignty

states have authority to govern themselves independently of federal government

134

Statute

formal written law passed by Congress or state legislature governs conduct and policies within jurisdiction

135

Supremacy Clause

Article VI states Federal law is supreme law of the land

136

Supreme Court of the United States

Highest court in U.S. Judicial system, nine justices who interpret Constitution, resolve legal disputes and serve as final authority on federal

137

Tenth Amendment

Reserve Power; powers not delegated to federal

138

Term

fixed length of time elected official serves

139

The Cabinet

group of advisors to President; consisting of heads of executive departments; assist in policy-making and administration

140

Three-Fifths Compromise

enslaved person would count as three-fifths of person for representation and taxation purposes

141

Twentieth Amendment

January 20th President sworn in, Congress

January 3rd

142

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Presidential succession in case of death, inability to continue, impeachment, resignation

143

Twenty-Second Amendment

two terms 10 years total

144

Tyranny of the Majority

situation majority enforces will on minority without regard to rights or interests

145

U.S. Constitution (Describe)

adopted 1787 outlines framework of federal government

146

U.S. Constitution (Principles of

Government)

popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, federalism, judicial review, rule of law

147

Unitary

system of government - power is centralized in national government

148

United States v. Lopez (1995)

(CONTEXT)

Lopez arrested for bringing gun to school violating federal Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990, challenged regulation of guns under

Commerce Clause

149

United States v. Lopez (1995)

(SIGNIFICANCE)

exceeded Congress authority under Commerce

Clause, de-revolution; shifted power from

Congress back to the state

150

Veto

presidents constitutional power to reject legislation passed by congress

151

Virginia Plan

favored strong central government, favored large states, based on population

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White House Chief of Staff

top advisor, manager of White House Staff, and access to the President

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White House Press Secretary

spokesperson for President and administration, daily press briefings, managing media relations and communicating presidents policies and actions to public and press