Matching Flashcards
Amicus Curiae
someone, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it.
Apportionment
The process of allotting congressional seats to each state following the decennial census according to their proportion of the population.
Bureaucracy
In government, it refers to departments and agencies in the executive branch handling the day-to-day business of government.
Civil Law
the body of laws that deals with all issues not covered by criminal law, including family matters, housing, business contracts, civil rights, and physical injuries.
Cloture
a procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.
Commander-in-Chief
The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service.
Common Law
The body of law developed from custom and tradition as recognized by judicial decisions
Conference Committee
a type of temporary joint committee that is set up when the House and Senate have each passed different versions of the same law.
Constituency
The individuals who live within the geographical area represented by an elected official.
Criminal Law
the body of rules and regulations that defines and specifies punishments for offenses of a public nature or for wrongs committed against the state or society.
Delegated Powers
those powers granted to the president by congress.
Executive Office of the President
the group of agencies that work most closely with the President. These agencies are made up of many advisors and aides. These individuals help the President carry out the duties of the presidency. They manage his day-to-day work.
Expressed Powers
Powers are stated in the constitution
Inherent Powers
powers that a soveriegn entity can assume to have as a necessary to the working ability of the government or office. For example the power to control borders. not expressed, they are just assumed. Like the president’s ability to send troops to invade a country when no war has been declared.
Joint Committee
A committee composed of members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate
Legislative Initiative
power of the president to suggest legislation to congress
Logrolling
An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other’s bills.
Majority Leader
The legislative leader elected by the party members holding the majority of seats in the House of Representatives.
Merit System
A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage
National Security Council
An interagency advisory group that shares information to advise the president, with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security.
Original Jurisdiction
the power of a court to hear a case first, before any other court.
Oversight
ability of congress to monitor, review, and supervise government agencies.
Pocket Veto
A veto taking place when congress adjourns within 10 days of having submitted a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
Pork Barrel
spending that is intended to benefit constituents of a politician in return for their political support.
