AP GOV Chapter 12/15 Flashcards
22nd Amendment
Limits the president to two terms or 10 years.
25th Amendment
(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.
(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve
Impeachment
process of bringing formal charges against a public official
indictment
the act of accusing; a formal accusation
who impeaches president
house of reps simple majority
who removes president from office
senate 2/3 vote
executive orders
Regulations originating with the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy.
cabniet
The heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government
National Security Council
National Security Council
An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security
council of economic advisors
Three economic experts to help president understand and develop economic policy; must be confirmed by senate
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The office prepares the president’s annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, supplies economic forecasts, and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills and agency rules.
Veto message
A message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within ten days of the bill’s passage.
War Powers Resolution
requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension.
Presidents view the resolution as unconstitutional.
going public
when the President uses public opinion to persuade the Congress to follow his programs.
(obama on jimmy fallon)
President Approval Ratings
the percent of americans who feel that the president is doing his job in office
Bully Pulpit
the president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
circular structure
several of the president’s assistants report directly to him
divided government
one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress; opposite of unified government
Electoral College
The people chosen to cast each state’s votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator.
gridlock
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Budget Reform Act of 1974
Requires the president to spend all appropriated funds unless he first tells Congress what funds he wishes not to spend and Congress, within forty five days, agrees to delete the items.
signing statement
informal power that informs Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president
legislative veto
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power
line-item veto
the authority, held by many governors but not by the president, to veto specific items in a bill without vetoing it in its entirety
pocket veto
A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within ten days before Congress adjourns
hierarchical (pyramid) structure
a president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff
unified government
the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress; opposite of divided government
State of the Union Address
a speech given annually by the president to a joint session of Congress in January of each year. The president discusses the current condition of the United States and makes proposals for the coming year’s legislative action. Required by the constitution.
lame duck
A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection or is term limited out
impoundment
A presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress
Judicial Review
review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act; started in Marbury v Madison by Chief Justice John Marshall
dual court system
System under which US citizens are subject to the jurisdiction of both national and state courts
justiciable disputes
a requirement that to be heard a case must be capable of being settled as a matter of law rather than on other grounds as is commonly the case in legislative bodies
amicus curiae
individual or organization that comes in to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case.
brief
A written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it
class action suit
A case brought by someone to help him or her and all others who are similarly situated
concurring opinion
An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning.
constitutional court
A federal court authorized by the Constitution that keeps judges in office during good behavior and prevents their salaries from being reduced. They are the Supreme Court (created by the Constitution) and appellate and district courts created by Congress
Circuit Court of Appeals
courts with appellate jurisdiction that hear appeals from the decisions of lower courts
dissenting opinion
A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion
district courts
The 91 federal courts of original jurisdiction. They are the only federal courts in which trials are held and in which juries may be impaneled.
Rule of Four
At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard
solicitor general
The fourth-ranking member of the Department of Justice; responsible for handling nearly all appeals on behalf of the U.S. government to the Supreme Court.
senatorial courtesy
a custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee’s state, especially from the senior senator of the president’s party from that state.
diversity cases
cases w citizens from different states where the federal courts have jurisdiction as described in the Constitution
Plaintiff
a person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
writ of certiorari
Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review
political question
An issue the Supreme Court will allow the executive and legislative branches to decide
precedent
an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action
stare decisis
Let the decision stand; decisions are based on precedents from previous cases
per curiam
A brief, unsigned opinion issued by the Supreme Court to explain its ruling.
Jurisdiction
an area of authority or control; the right to administer justice
appellate jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the factual record, only the legal issues involved.
original jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.
docket
a court’s calendar, showing the schedule of cases it is to hear
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.
EX OF
activist approach
the view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the Constitution and apply them to modern circumstances
strict constructionist approach (judicial restraint)
the view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution
Wheels and Spokes
everyone talks to president with their issues (overwhelming, but ideal)
