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Government > Final Exam > Flashcards

Final Exam Flashcards

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1
Q

Term

A

Two year time period in which Congress meets.

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2
Q

Session

A

Time period during which, each year, Congress conducts business.

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3
Q

Convene

A

To begin a new session of Congress.

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4
Q

Adjourn

A

Suspend, as a session of Congress

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5
Q

Recess

A

To suspend business until the next session.

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6
Q

Prorogue

A

Adjourn, as in a legislative session.

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7
Q

Sine Die

A

Neither house can adjourn without the consent of the other house.

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8
Q

Special Session

A

An extraordinary session of legislative body, called to deal with an emergency situation.

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9
Q

Apportion

A

Distribute, as in seats in a legislative body.

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10
Q

Reapportion

A

Redistribute, as in seats in a legislative body.

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11
Q

Off-year election

A

Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years.

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12
Q

Single-member district

A

Electoral district from which one person is chosen by the voters for each electoral office.

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13
Q

District

A

A voting block that represents about 700,000 people.

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14
Q

Gerrymander

A

The drawing up of district lines to the advantage of they party in power.

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15
Q

Incumbent

A

The current office holder.

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16
Q

Continuous body

A

Governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time.

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17
Q

Constituency

A

The people they represent

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18
Q

Trustee

A

Lawmaker who votes based on his or her conscience and judgement; not the opinion of their constituent.

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19
Q

Partisan

A

Lawmaker who owes first allegiance to his/her political party and votes accordingly.

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20
Q

Politico

A

Lawmakers who attempt to balance the three basic elements; delegate, trustee, and partisan.

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21
Q

Common Law

A

English court decisions or customs

22
Q

Statutes

A

An act of legislation/laws passed by Congress.

23
Q

Jurisdiction

A

The authority of a court to hear or try a case

24
Q

Civil Case

A

A dispute between parties involving money(lawsuit)

25
Q

Criminal Case

A

A dispute between parties were a crime has been committed (murder, robbery, etc.)

26
Q

Grand Jury

A

Large - 25

27
Q

Petite Jury

A

Small- 12

Decides guilt or innocence of the accused

28
Q

Magistrates

A

Issue warrants, set bail, select juries, deal w/ minor offenses.

29
Q

Plaintiff

A

The person who files the complaint

30
Q

Defendent

A

The person who the complaint is filed against

31
Q

US District Court

A

Handle most of the Federal trial cases.

32
Q

US Marshall

A

Policemen of the federal court system

33
Q

US Court of Appeals

A

“Gatekeepers” of the Supreme Court (hear most of the appeals)

34
Q

US Supreme Court

A

One court located in Washington D.C.

35
Q

Speech and Debate Clause

A

It protects and representative and senators from suits for libel or slander arising from their speech in Congress

36
Q

What are the eight roles of the President of the United States?

A
  1. Chief of State: ceremonial head of the government (symbol)
  2. Chief Executive: power to enforce the law (most powerful position in the world)
  3. Chief Administration: CEO of the federal government (employs about 2.7 million people)
  4. Chief Diplomat: architect of foreign policy (Nation’s chief spokesperson to the world)
  5. Commander in Chief: head of the armed forces
  6. Chief Legislator: architect of public policy (ideas for laws)
  7. Chief of Party: leader of his political party
  8. Chief Citizen: the representative of all the people of the USA
37
Q

What are the 6 powers of the President of the United States?

A
  1. Appointed power: (Cabinet, Federal judges, etc)
  2. Power to convene Congress: (State of the Union Address, special session)
  3. Power to make Treaties: (agreement between two or more parties)
  4. Veto power: (reject legislation)
  5. Commander in Chief power: (head of the Armed Forces)
  6. Pardoning power: (grant releases to criminals)
38
Q

In what method is the president chosen?

A
  1. popular vote (people)

2. Electoral college

39
Q

What are the qualifications of a President?

A
  1. Must be a “natural born citizen”
  2. Must be at least 35 years old
  3. Must have lived in the USA for at least 14 years.
40
Q

What are the four divisions of the Executive Branch?

A
  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. The Cabinet
  4. Independent Agencies and Regulatory Commissions
41
Q

What are the four types of Jurisdiction?

A
  1. Exclusive: cases that can only be heard in federal court
  2. Concurrent: cases that can be heard in both federal and state courts
  3. Original: The court in which a case is first heard
  4. Appellate: The court that hears a case on appeal.
42
Q

What are the three reasons why we have a bi-cameral Legislative Branch?

A
  1. Historical reason: (British parliament - had 2 houses)
  2. Practical reason: (settled conflict between small & large states)
  3. Theoretical reason: (Check & balance each other)
43
Q

What are the three unique powers of the House and Senate?

A

House:

  1. Impeachment: (grand jury) see if enough evidence to go to trial.
  2. Decide presidential elections: if no majority in the Electoral College
  3. Power of the purse: all tax bills start here (spending)

Senate:

  1. Trial for impeachment
  2. Ratify treaties
  3. Confirmation (approve) - Cabinet, judges, etc.
44
Q

What are the 5 major roles of a congressmen.

A
  1. Legislators - make laws
  2. Representatives - voice of the people
  3. Committee members - take up bills (proposed laws)
  4. Servants to Constituents - help people
  5. Politicians - A person who governs
45
Q

Bicameral

A

Two houses

46
Q

Delegate

A

Representatives; members of Congress who cast votes based on the wishes of their constituents.

47
Q

Judicial Review

A

the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action

48
Q

Independent Agencies

A

additional agencies created by Congress located outside the Cabinet departments

49
Q

District Attorney

A

Prosecuting attorney represents the state/federal government/plaintiff

50
Q

Briefs

A

detailed written statements filed with the Court before oral arguments are presented

51
Q

Opinions

A

The rationale for a decision

Government (9 decks)

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