Three Branches Flashcards
Role of president which gives him authority to command armed forces
Commander-in-chief
Heads of 15 executive departments appointed by president & confirmed by senate
Cabinet
The 15 departments where majority of federal employees work
Executive departments
Order in which other government officials would take over as president
Presidential Succession
In addition to his/her role, also serves as President of the Senate
Vice president
Presidential role that emphasized duty of president to enforce nation’s laws
Chief Executive
Constitutional authority of president to appoint cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, and justices
Appointment Power
Official mechanism by which presidents are elected
Electoral college
How many votes does a president need to win the election?
270 votes
Presidential role that emphasizes duty of president to interact with foreign countries
Chief Diplomat
Presidents ability to legally forgive someone from a crime
Pardon
Which branch has the power to interpret laws?
Judicial branch
“Highest court in the land” Only court created by Constitution and final interpreter of Constitution
Supreme Court
Power of courts to determine constitutionality of actions of legislative and executive branch
Judicial review
Which case established the precedent for judicial review
Marbury v. Madison
Legal authority of courts to hear a case and make decisions
Jurisdiction
Authority of a court to hear a decide a case for the first time
Original jurisdiction
Authority of a court to review decisions under appeal of a lower court
Appellate jurisdiction
Final decision of the Supreme Court
Opinion
Legally binding decision that commands vote of a majority of Supreme Court justices
Majority Opinion
Aka a minority opinion, opinion of one or more justices who disagree with majority opinion
Dissenting opinion
Opinion of justices who agree with majority opinion, but not the legal reasoning behind the decisions
Concurring opinion
Specific ways that each branch can limit the powers of other branches
Checks and balances
3 distinct branches of government where power is separated to prevent tyranny
Separation of powers
Which branch has the power to make laws and frame public policies?
Legislative branch
Which article in the Constitution grants legislative power to Congress?
Article l
2 year period of time during which Congress meets
Term
Period of time each year that Congress assembles and conducts business
Session
What do presidents call in emergency situations?
Special sessions
Bring formal charges against an elected official
Impeach
Describe the impeachment process
House of Representatives has sole power and the senate hears the case
Proposal for a new law
Bill
Various tactics aimed at defeating a bill in senate by preventing a final vote
Filibuster
Procedure that may be used to limit or end floor debate (end filibuster)
Cloture
Constitutional clause that gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary and proper for executing its powers
Necessary and Proper Clause
Creation of electoral district lines
Apportionment
Drawing of electoral district lines to the advantage of a party of group
Gerrymandering
Highest ranking member of the House
Speaker of the House
Power of Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade
Commerce Clause
Gibbons v. Ogden broadened the definition of commerce beyond what?
Mere trade of goods
The people or interests the elected official represents
Constituencies
Meaning “President for a time” which refers to the leader of the senate when the vice president isn’t present
President Pro Tempore
Portion of a term where the elected official has lost their bid for re-election and will not return for the next session/term of Congress
Lame Duck
Ceremonial head of the government; symbol of all people
Chief of State
Main architect of nation’s public policies
Chief Legislator
Leader of political party that controls executive branch
Chief of party
Representative of all the people
Chief Citizen
Which amendment placed limits on presidential terms?
22nd amendment
Which amendment made it so the vice president will become president if the president is removed from office?
25th amendment
Define reprieve
Postponement of the execution of a sentence
Define bureaucrat
Person who works for an organization that has duties and responsibilities
Define federal bureaucracy
All agencies, people, and procedures through with Federal Government operates
Define Chief Administrator
In charge of all Federal Bureaucracy
All treaties are approved by a 2/3 vote of the…
Senate
Who is responsible for foreign affairs?
Secretary of State
Permanent committees in Congress are called…
Standing committees
House of Representatives reflect the will of the…
People
Senate reflects the will of the…
States
What has the force of law, yet needs no Congressional approval?
Executive order
