AP Gov Unit 2

Establishes the Legislative Branch

a lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts

the people and interests that an elected official represents

a legislative sub-organization in the United States Congress that works on laws in a specific area of policy

A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area

A temporary legislative committee established for a limited time period and for a special purpose.

special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate

A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate; such committees oversee the Library of Congress and conduct investigations.

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

A procedure for terminating debate, especially filibusters, in the Senate.

A standing committee of the House of Representatives that provides special rules under which specific bills can be debated, amended, and considered by the house.

Petition that, if signed by majority of the House of Representatives' members, will pry a bill from committee and bring it to the floor for consideration.

The power of the U.S. Senate to approve or disapprove formal treaties negotiated by the president on behalf of the nation.

spending category about which government planners can make choices

Required govt spending by permanent laws

A claim for government funds that cannot be abridged without violating the rights of the claimant; for example, social security benefits or payments on a contract.

federal program of disability and retirement benefits that covers most working people

A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older

A federal and state assistance program that pays for health care services for people who cannot afford them.

when the government spends more on programs than it collects in taxes

Amendments to bills, often in the form of appropriations, that sometimes have nothing to do with the intent of the bill itself and many times are considered to be pork barrel legislation

Government action based on firm allegiance to a political party

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

concentrating partisan voters in a single district in order to maximize the number of representatives that can be elected by the opposition in other districts

spreading voters of one type over many districts where they will comprise minorities that are unable to influence elections

the process of reassigning representation based on population, after every census

legislator who is entrusted to excise their own judgment and wisdom; believes their constituents trust their independent decision making ability to act on their behalf

A concept of legislative work as simply voting the desires of one's constituents, regardless of one's own personal views

Role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue.

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time.

Commander-in-chief of armed forces; pardon power (except for impeachment); treaty power; appointment power; veto power

The power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, create & use bureaucracy, personality and leadership, and make legislative proposals.

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

The power of Congress to pass legislation over a president's veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions and values.

a theory of judicial interpretation that encourages judges to limit the exercise of their own power

a judicial approach holding that the Constitution should be read literally, with the framers' intentions uppermost in mind

Courts should read the Constitution expansively and should not limit themselves to what is explicitly stated

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

The authority of a court to hear a case

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

the thousands of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs

Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of government operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in a particular governmental function, such as defense, commerce, or agriculture.

An organization, company, or bureau that provides some service, or regulates some sector of the economy

businesses established by Congress to perform functions that private businesses could provide like the post office, or Amtrak

The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.

A mutually dependent relationship between bureaucratic agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees or subcommittees

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

hiring people into government jobs on the basis of their qualifications

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.

a quasi-legislative process resulting in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative act

complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done

Chief executive-branch department responsible for formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy.

Collects, borrows, spends, and prints money

Cabinet-level agency in charge of the armed forces and military policy. HQ = The Pentagon. (Secretary Panetta)

Federal department responsible for enforcing federal laws (includes FBI, Civil Rights Division, Antitrust Division, Drug Enforcement Administration...)

The branch of the Department of Justice responsible for investigating violations of federal law.

US federal agency created in 2002 to coordinate national efforts against terrorism

Manages the nations highways, railroads, airlines, and sea traffic

The US federal agency with a mission to protect human health and the environment.

An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security

An agency of Congress that analyzes presidential budget recommendations and estimates the cost of proposed legislation.

Closest presidential advisor Powerful Gatekeeper in pyramidal system; does not require senate confirmation

Member of White House staff that controls flow of information from president, holds daily press briefings, tries to spin/control media

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

occasional written comments attached to a bill signed by the president

Under the Constitution, presidential nominations for executive and judicial posts take effect only when confirmed by the Senate, and international treaties become effective only when the Senate approves them by a two-thirds vote.

The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president serves

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

Power used by Congress to gather information useful for the formation of legislation, review the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies, conduct investigations through committee hearings, and bring to the public's attention the need for public policy

sessions where a committee listens to the testimonies of people who are interested in the bill

Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money

President is seen as emperor taking strong actions without consulting Congress or seeking its approval

the leader of the majority party who serves as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Vice President

Senior Officer of the Senate selected by the majority party to act as chair in the absence of the vice president

the legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the House or Senate

the majority leader's assistant

the minority leader's assistant

Leader of a congressional committee. Usually the longest serving member of the majority party on that committee (seniority rule). A very powerful position - Controls the committee calendar, agenda, and hearings

The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service

a group of advisers to the president that includes the heads of 15 top-level executive departments

Official representatives to foreign governments

Personnel who run the White House and advise the President. Includes the Chief of Staff and Press Secretary

Court-enforced redistricting based on the principle of "one-person-one-vote" ensured that urban constituencies were represented proportionally equal to rural area constituents

NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.

Established judicial review

Establishes the Executive Branch and its powers

establishes the judicial branch of the federal government

This clause in the constitution says that federal judges serve for life (can only be removed by death, resignation or impeachment)

US requires a strong, energetic executive; plural executive is dangerous