Test 3 Flashcards
Filibuster
preventing a vote on a bill
Legal Standing
a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit
Congressional Caucus
a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives
Class Action Suit
a case brought by someone to help both him-or herself and all others who are similarly situated
Gerrymandering
drawing districts for political advantage
Rider
an add-on to a bill unlikely to pass on its own merit
Pork Bill
legislation benefiting on congressman’s district
Malaportionment
separate districts with large differences in population size, larger districts would be disadvantaged
Cloture Motion
vote to end debate, ends a filibuster
requires 3/5 (60) senate votes
Stare Decisis
“let the decision stand”; allowing prior rulings to control a current case
Quorum
minimum number necessary to vote on a bill, needs to be a majority
house: 218 votes
senate: 51 votes
Pocket Veto
a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns
Writ of Certiorari
an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review
Criminal Case
a type of court proceeding in which a prosecutor employed by the federal, state, or local government charges a person with the commission of a crime
Censure
public humiliation with charges read before one’s peers
Civil Case
involves a legal dispute between two or more parties
Expulsion
removing a member from office, requires a 2/3 vote
Judicial Review
the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional
War Powers Act
president can only deploy the military for 60 days
it must be to defend American lives
the president must inform Congress prior to deployment
Congress may order the withdrawal of military forces
25th Amendment
In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President
Impeachment
charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
House Rules Committee
determines the restrictions on debating and amending any one bill
Conference Committees
joint committee of senators and representatives that come up with compromise wording late in the process
Marbury vs. Madison
a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that established the principle of judicial review, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes they find to violate the Constitution of the United States
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 is not a state.
Checks and Balances
constitutional ability of multiple branches of government to limit each other’s power
US Supreme Court
the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States; it has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that turn on questions of U.S. constitutional or federal law
District Courts
the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here
Appeals Court
federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials
Appellate Jurisdiction
the power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts
Original Jurisdiction
a court’s authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before any appellate review occurs
What are the responsibilities of the House?
originates all tax bills
make impeachments (indictment for wrongdoing)
What are the responsibilities of the Senate?
remove impeached officials with a 2/3 vote
ratify treaties with a 2/3 vote
confirm executive appointments with a majority vote
What are the powers of the President?
veto bills
sign bills
enforce the laws that Congress passes
act as Commander-in-Chief during a war
What are the powers of Congress?
levy taxes and spends money, approves budget
regulates commerce
raises and supports an army
declares war
What are the presidential lines of succession?
the order of succession specifies that the office passes to the vice president; if the vice presidency is simultaneously vacant, or if the vice president is also incapacitated, the powers and duties of the presidency pass to the speaker of the House of Representatives, president pro tempore of the Senate, and then Cabinet secretaries, depending on eligibility
How does a bill become law?
once a bill is signed by the President or his veto is overridden by both houses (with a 2/3 vote) it becomes a law and is assigned an official number
How can you override a veto?
congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate
What advantages do incumbents have?
name recognition
raise more money
record of experience
Select Committee
meant to be temporary
Standing Committee
meant to be permanent
Speaker of the House
calls on people to speak
determines what is relevant
President of the Senate
always the vice president of the U.S.
not a powerful position
can break ties, otherwise gets no vote
President Pro Tempore
sitting senator with voting power
calls on people to speak
honorary position
Party Leaders
chosen by the party in each chamber
both a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader
goal is to get their party’s legislation passed
Party Whip
one in each chamber
both a Majority Whip and a Minority Whip
goal is to get the entire party voting the same way
more realistically, they keep track of what their party’s vote is
23rd Amendment
gave Washington D.C. 3 electors even though they are not a state, so they could vote
