Final Exam Flashcards
Term
Two year time period in which Congress meets.
Session
Time period during which, each year, Congress conducts business.
Convene
To begin a new session of Congress.
Adjourn
Suspend, as a session of Congress
Recess
To suspend business until the next session.
Prorogue
Adjourn, as in a legislative session.
Sine Die
Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other house.
Special Session
An extraordinary session of legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation.
Apportion
Distribute, as in seats in a legislative body.
Reapportion
Redistribute, as in seats in a legislative body.
Off-year election
Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years.
Single-member district
Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each electoral office.
District
A voting block that represents about 700,000 people.
Gerrymander
The drawing up of district lines to the advantage of they party in power.
Incumbent
The current office holder.
Continuous body
Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time.
Constituency
The people they represent
Trustee
Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement; not the opinion of their constituent.
Partisan
Lawmaker who owes first allegiance to his/her political party and votes accordingly.
Politico
Lawmakers who attempt to balance the three basic elements; delegate, trustee, and partisan.
Common Law
English court decisions or customs
Statutes
An act of legislation/laws passed by Congress.
Jurisdiction
The authority of a court to hear or try a case
Civil Case
A dispute between parties involving money(lawsuit)
Criminal Case
A dispute between parties were a crime has been committed (murder, robbery, etc.)
Grand Jury
Large - 25
Petite Jury
Small- 12
Decides guilt or innocence of the accused
Magistrates
Issue warrants, set bail, select juries, deal w/ minor offenses.
Plaintiff
The person who files the complaint
Defendent
The person who the complaint is filed against
US District Court
Handle most of the Federal trial cases.
US Marshall
Policemen of the federal court system
US Court of Appeals
“Gatekeepers” of the Supreme Court (hear most of the appeals)
US Supreme Court
One court located in Washington D.C.
Speech and Debate Clause
It protects and representative and senators from suits for libel or slander arising from their speech in Congress
What are the eight roles of the President of the United States?
- Chief of State: ceremonial head of the government (symbol)
- Chief Executive: power to enforce the law (most powerful position in the world)
- Chief Administration: CEO of the federal government (employs about 2.7 million people)
- Chief Diplomat: architect of foreign policy (Nation’s chief spokesperson to the world)
- Commander in Chief: head of the armed forces
- Chief Legislator: architect of public policy (ideas for laws)
- Chief of Party: leader of his political party
- Chief Citizen: the representative of all the people of the USA
What are the 6 powers of the President of the United States?
- Appointed power: (Cabinet, Federal judges, etc)
- Power to convene Congress: (State of the Union Address, special session)
- Power to make Treaties: (agreement between two or more parties)
- Veto power: (reject legislation)
- Commander in Chief power: (head of the Armed Forces)
- Pardoning power: (grant releases to criminals)
In what method is the president chosen?
- popular vote (people)
2. Electoral college
What are the qualifications of a President?
- Must be a “natural born citizen”
- Must be at least 35 years old
- Must have lived in the USA for at least 14 years.
What are the four divisions of the Executive Branch?
- President
- Vice President
- The Cabinet
- Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
What are the four types of Jurisdiction?
- Exclusive: cases that can only be heard in federal court
- Concurrent: cases that can be heard in both federal and state courts
- Original: The court in which a case is first heard
- Appellate: The court that hears a case on appeal.
What are the three reasons why we have a bi-cameral Legislative Branch?
- Historical reason: (British parliament - had 2 houses)
- Practical reason: (settled conflict between small & large states)
- Theoretical reason: (Check & balance each other)
What are the three unique powers of the House and Senate?
House:
- Impeachment: (grand jury) see if enough evidence to go to trial.
- Decide presidential elections: if no majority in the Electoral College
- Power of the purse: all tax bills start here (spending)
Senate:
- Trial for impeachment
- Ratify treaties
- Confirmation (approve) - Cabinet, judges, etc.
What are the 5 major roles of a congressmen.
- Legislators - make laws
- Representatives - voice of the people
- Committee members - take up bills (proposed laws)
- Servants to Constituents - help people
- Politicians - A person who governs
Bicameral
Two houses
Delegate
Representatives; members of Congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents.
Judicial Review
the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
Independent Agencies
additional agencies created by Congress located outside the Cabinet departments
District Attorney
Prosecuting attorney represents the state/federal government/plaintiff
Briefs
detailed written statements filed with the Court before oral arguments are presented
Opinions
The rationale for a decision
