Branches of Government Flashcards
An expression of opinion either in the House or Senate to settle procedural matters in either body
Simple resolution
An expression of opinion without the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and the Senate, but not the President
Concurrent resolution
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of Congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
Joint resolution
A device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had the bill for 30 days, may petition to have it brought to the floor
Discharge petition
An order from the House Rules Committee that sets a time limit on debate; forbids a bill from being amended on the floor
Restrictive/closed rule
An order from the House Rules Committee that permits a bill to be amended on the floor
Open rule
The minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in Congress
Quorum
Amendments on matters unrelated to a bill that are added to an important bill so that they will “ride” to passage through the Congress
Riders
A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate
Cloture rule
A procedure to keep the Senate going during a filibuster in which the disputed bill is shelved temporarily so that the Senate can get on with other business
Double tracking
A congressional voting procedure in which members shout “yea” in approval or “nay” in disapproval, permitting members to vote quickly or anonymously on bills
Voice vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members stand and are counted
Division vote
A congressional voting procedure that consists of members answering “yea” or “nay” to their names
Roll-call vote
A congressional voting procedure in which members pass between two tellers, the “yeas” first and the “nays” second
Teller vote
Literally, “I forbid”: it refers to the power of a president to disapprove a bill; it may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
Veto
One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
Divided government
The same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress
Unified government
“Hidden” congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund specific projects or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees
Earmarks
Legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hope of winning their votes in return
Pork-barrel legislation
The ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage
Franking privilege
A message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within 10 days of the bill’s passage
Veto message
A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns
Pocket veto
An executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
Line-item veto
A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced
Signing statement
A president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff
Pyramid structure
Several of the president’s assistants report directly to him
Circular structure
Several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters
Ad hoc structure
The heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government
Cabinet
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.
Legislative veto
Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
Impeachment
The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional
Judicial review
The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of the laws and the Constitution
Judicial restraint approach
The view that judges should discern the general principles underlying laws or the Constitution and apply them to modern circumstances
Activist approach
A federal court authorized by Article III of 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
Constitutional court
The lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here
District courts
Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials
Courts of appeals
Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes whose judges do not enjoy the protections of Article III of the Constitution
Legislative courts
An examination of the political ideology of a nominated judge
Litmus test
