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American Government & Politics > Test 3 > Flashcards

Test 3 Flashcards

1
Q

Filibuster

A

preventing a vote on a bill

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2
Q

Legal Standing

A

a legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit

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3
Q

Congressional Caucus

A

a group of members of the United States Congress that meet to pursue common legislative objectives

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4
Q

Class Action Suit

A

a case brought by someone to help both him-or herself and all others who are similarly situated

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5
Q

Gerrymandering

A

drawing districts for political advantage

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6
Q

Rider

A

an add-on to a bill unlikely to pass on its own merit

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7
Q

Pork Bill

A

legislation benefiting on congressman’s district

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8
Q

Malaportionment

A

separate districts with large differences in population size, larger districts would be disadvantaged

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9
Q

Cloture Motion

A

vote to end debate, ends a filibuster

requires 3/5 (60) senate votes

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10
Q

Stare Decisis

A

“let the decision stand”; allowing prior rulings to control a current case

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11
Q

Quorum

A

minimum number necessary to vote on a bill, needs to be a majority

house: 218 votes
senate: 51 votes

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12
Q

Pocket Veto

A

a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns

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13
Q

Writ of Certiorari

A

an order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review

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14
Q

Criminal Case

A

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

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15
Q

Censure

A

public humiliation with charges read before one’s peers

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16
Q

Civil Case

A

involves a legal dispute between two or more parties

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17
Q

Expulsion

A

removing a member from office, requires a 2/3 vote

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18
Q

Judicial Review

A

the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional

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19
Q

War Powers Act

A

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

20
Q

25th Amendment

A

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President

21
Q

Impeachment

A

charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

22
Q

House Rules Committee

A

determines the restrictions on debating and amending any one bill

23
Q

Conference Committees

A

joint committee of senators and representatives that come up with compromise wording late in the process

24
Q

Marbury vs. Madison

A

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

25
Q

Electoral College

A

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.

26
Q

Checks and Balances

A

constitutional ability of multiple branches of government to limit each other’s power

27
Q

US Supreme Court

A

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

28
Q

District Courts

A

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

29
Q

Appeals Court

A

federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials

30
Q

Appellate Jurisdiction

A

the power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts

31
Q

Original Jurisdiction

A

a court’s authority to hear and decide a case for the first time before any appellate review occurs

32
Q

What are the responsibilities of the House?

A

originates all tax bills
make impeachments (indictment for wrongdoing)

33
Q

What are the responsibilities of the Senate?

A

remove impeached officials with a 2/3 vote
ratify treaties with a 2/3 vote
confirm executive appointments with a majority vote

34
Q

What are the powers of the President?

A

veto bills
sign bills
enforce the laws that Congress passes
act as Commander-in-Chief during a war

35
Q

What are the powers of Congress?

A

levy taxes and spends money, approves budget
regulates commerce
raises and supports an army
declares war

36
Q

What are the presidential lines of succession?

A

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

37
Q

How does a bill become law?

A

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

38
Q

How can you override a veto?

A

congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate

39
Q

What advantages do incumbents have?

A

name recognition
raise more money
record of experience

40
Q

Select Committee

A

meant to be temporary

41
Q

Standing Committee

A

meant to be permanent

42
Q

Speaker of the House

A

calls on people to speak
determines what is relevant

43
Q

President of the Senate

A

always the vice president of the U.S.
not a powerful position
can break ties, otherwise gets no vote

44
Q

President Pro Tempore

A

sitting senator with voting power
calls on people to speak
honorary position

45
Q

Party Leaders

A

chosen by the party in each chamber
both a Majority Leader and a Minority Leader
goal is to get their party’s legislation passed

46
Q

Party Whip

A

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

47
Q

23rd Amendment

A

gave Washington D.C. 3 electors even though they are not a state, so they could vote

American Government & Politics (4 decks)

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