ap gov midterm

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

the residents in the area from which an official is elected

income

committee deals w/ specific topic, work of congress goes through committees

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

Groups of appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration

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

Committee made up of members of both house of Congress-housekeeping issues decided

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives

Vice President

Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the VP; chosen by the majority party

The elected leader of the party with the most seat in the House of Representatives/Senate

the legislative leader selected by the minority party as spokesperson for the opposition.

the majority leader's assistant

the minority leader's assistant

Leader of committee

A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate

A Senate procedure through which a supermajority of 60 senators can vote to limit the amount of time spent debating a bill and cut off a filibuster.

a political tactic meant to slow down the legislative process in the Senate.

Complete agreement

Responsible for scheduling and managing the flow of legislation on the floor to make the process more efficient and manageable. It can also make it easier or more difficult for a bill to pass depending on the rules they create.

A committee of the House on which all representatives serve in order to consider the details of a proposal.

A petition signed by members of the House of Representatives to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.

The presidential has the power, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties provided 2/3 of the senators present, concur

Federal spending on programs that are controlled through the regular budget process

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

Entitlement programs are government-sponsored programs providing required benefits to those meeting eligibility requirements.

any government system that provides monetary assistance to people with an inadequate or no income.

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

A health care payment program sponsored by federal & state governments

a financial situation that occurs when a government spends more than it takes in.

The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative's district in order to please constituents and boost the representative's chances of winning reelection.

Federal funds appropriated by Congress for use on local projects

And additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by the legislature, having little connectivity with the subject of the matter of the bill.

One very large bill that encompasses many separate bills.

An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills

Strong allegiance to one's own political party often leading to unwillingness to compromise with members of the opposing party

The analysts and advisers to the president, often given the title "special assistant"

When one party controls one or more houses in the legislative branch while the other party controls the executive branch.

When the government is unable to reach compromises or make policy decisions.

The act of changing the boundaries of an electoral district to favor one party over another.

drawing the lines so they include as many of the opposing party's voters as possible

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

A periodic and official count of a country's population.

The process of adjusting electoral districts in the United States.

an office that is extremely likely to be won by a particular candidate or political party

a concept holding that each person's vote should be counted equally

drawing of legislative boundaries to give electoral advantages to a particular racial group

An elected official who continues to hold political office during the period between the election and the inauguration of their successor.

A member of Congress who takes into account the views of their constituents and use their own judgment to decide how to vote.

A member of Congress who always follows their constituents' voting preferences.

devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause

A member of Congress who acts as a delegate on issues that their constituents care about, and as a trustee on issues that their constituents don't care about.

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

president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

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

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

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

the power that allows a president to refuse to release information to Congress or a court

A released letter explaining how the president's administration plans to interpret the law

the leaders of the executive departments, who also act as advisers to the president

Highest-ranking officials representing a government in a foreign country.

the person who oversees the operations of all White House staff and controls access to the president

one of the president's top assistants who is in charge of media relations

The power of the Senate to consult and approve the presidents treaties and appointments.

Judges have standard of behavior; can't be impeached for their court decisions

A period of time between the election and the oath of office

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

a platform used to publicize and seek support for important issues

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

the collective agencies and employees of the executive branch

often called the cabinet departments, they are the traditional units of federal administration

Cabinet-level agency in charge of foreign policy & international affairs.

collects federal taxes through IRS, prints money and stamps, makes coins, deals w/nation's finances

Manages the armed forces

responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice,

Cabinet department created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to coordinate domestic security efforts

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

Directs services for veterans

Provides advice and funding for schools

An organization, company, or bureau that provides some service for another

Created after the Russian Revolution to prevent radicals from taking over. Headed by J Edgar Hoover.

An agency created in 1970 to administer all environmental legislation.

agencies responsible for some sector of the economy, making/enforcing rules to protect the public interest.

a six-member bipartisan agency that enforces and administers campaign finance laws

monitors the stock market and enforces laws regulating the sale of stocks and bonds

a business owned and operated by the federal government

Government Corporation

an independent federal agency that provides mail processing and delivery service for individuals and businesses in the United States (second for the most federal employees)

The formal instructions that government issues for implementing laws.

Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that form mutually-beneficial relationships are known as iron triangles.

A loose grouping of people and organizations who seek to influence policy formation.