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sem 1 finals > unit 2 elected policymakers (Congress and president) > Flashcards

unit 2 elected policymakers (Congress and president) Flashcards

1
Q

pork barrel spending

A

government funding for projects to benefit constituents in hopes to receive political support

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2
Q

logrolling

A

policymakers agree to support each other’s proposed bills or amendments. Essentially, legislators trade votes to ensure mutual benefits; quid pro quo

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3
Q

(re)apportionment

A

the process of redistributing seats for the House every 10 years (the census); to ensure one person one vote

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4
Q

redistricting

A

The process of redrawing the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts within a state to reflect changes in population distribution.

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5
Q

gerrymandering

A

deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a certain group

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6
Q

partisan gerrymandering

A

gerrymandering to favor a political party

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7
Q

majority-minority districts

A

electoral districts where the majority of the population belongs to one or more racial or ethnic minority groups.

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8
Q

malapportionment

A

unequal distribution of representation in legislative bodies, where districts or constituencies have significantly different population sizes.

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9
Q

incumbency advantage

A

the advantage that an incumbent officer has at reelection such as connection with constituents and name recognition

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10
Q

political action committee (PAC)

A

organization that collects contributions from individuals and distributes them to candidates, political parties, or other organizations to influence elections, legislation, or public policy.

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11
Q

discharge petition

A

tool in the U.S. House of Representatives that allows members to force a bill out of a committee and bring it to the House floor for a vote, bypassing the standard legislative process. This mechanism is used when a committee fails or refuses to act on a bill, often due to political or strategic reasons.

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12
Q

unanimous consent agreement

A

request made by a senator to proceed with legislative action without objection from any other senator.

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13
Q

filibuster

A

Tradition of unlimited debate; a “stalling” tactic

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14
Q

cloture

A

Cloture: a 3/5 vote of Senators ends a filibuster

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15
Q

veto

A

when the president doesn’t sign the bill into law

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16
Q

Office of management and budget

A

tasked with overseeing the implementation of the president’s budget and managing the performance of federal agencies.

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17
Q

entitlement program

A

a government program guaranteeing access to some benefit by members of a specific group and based on established rights or by legislation

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18
Q

mandatory spending

A

money from the yearly budget that goes towards mandatory programs like Social Security and medicare

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19
Q

discretionary spending

A

money that can be spent however they please; transportation projects, research, law enforcement etc

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20
Q

budget surplus

A

when revenues exceed expenditures

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21
Q

budget deficit

A

when expenditures exceed revenue

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22
Q

national debt

A

the amount of money that piles up from deficits

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23
Q

delegate role

A

vote according to constituent roles

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24
Q

trustee role

A

vote according to their own views

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25
Q

politico role

A

Role played by elected representatives who act as trustees or as delegates, depending on the issue.

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26
Q

bipartisanship

A

opposing political parties find compromise, common ground

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27
Q

gridlock

A

a situation where there is significant difficulty in passing legislation or enacting policies due to political polarization, divided government, or conflicting interests among lawmakers.

28
Q

divided government

A

when two different political parties control the executive and legislative branch

29
Q

lame duck period

A

the time between an election and when the newly elected officials take office; in the US when the president-elect is called and inauguration day

30
Q

standing committee

A

permanent; one house; focus on one area of policy and legislation

31
Q

joint committee

A

permanent; two house; usually limited to one policy area

32
Q

select committee

A

temporary; one house; limited to one specific issue, investigation or particular task; disbanded when they complete their task

33
Q

conference committee

A

very temporary; two house; limited to rewording/amending a bill

34
Q

17th amendment

A

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

35
Q

speaker of the house

A

chamber presiding officer; appoints embers to committees; refers bills to committees

36
Q

majority/minority leader

A

appointed by their parties to direct strategy; consult with party members

37
Q

majority/minority whip

A

they are the assistants to the leaders; build coalitions to pass bills and amendments; gather intelligence such as who is voting for what bill

38
Q

president of the senate

A

the VP of the US is the president of the sentae; doesn’t take part in debates and is a tiebreaker if there is a tie

39
Q

president pro tempore

A

acts as the president of the senate when the VP is not present; usually the most senior member of the majority party

40
Q

committee chairperson

A

an individual elected to lead a particular committee

41
Q

committee of the whole

A

100 member body that allows debate on a bill (but not a vote); reduced quorum from 218 to 100

42
Q

house rules committee

A

sets limits on amendment & length of debate; affects every bill and doesn’t focus on a policy area

43
Q

appropriations committee

A

house and senate combined; responsible for determining how much money the federal government can spend on various programs and services; excellent at funding PORK projects

44
Q

judiciary committee

A

Interview potential federal judges (and other legal/court issues)

45
Q

senate finance committee

A

hearing legislation pertaining to state and local government revenue mechanisms, taxes, and land use and development.

46
Q

ways and means committee

A

Specializes in taxation / revenue; like setting the budget

47
Q

enumerated powers of the president

A

Execute laws
Appoint top officials & judges
Commander-in-chief of the military
Negotiate treaties
Convene Congress (special session)
Veto/sign legislation
State of the Union Address
Grant pardons

48
Q

informal powers

A

Executive orders; Executive agreements; Executive privilege

49
Q

pocket veto

A

the president doesn’t do anything with the bill within the ten day period; he pockets it

50
Q

presidential pardons

A

restore various rights lost as a result of the pardoned offense; most federal criminal offenses

51
Q

executive privilege

A

ability to withhold information from Congressional investigations. Limited to private conversations w advisors = very limited.

52
Q

executive agreements

A

an agreement between the heads of government of two or more nations that has not been ratified by the legislature as treaties are ratified.

53
Q

signing statements

A

written pronouncement issued by the President of the United States when signing a bill into law. It is used to express the President’s interpretation of the law, highlight specific provisions, or outline how the administration intends to enforce (or not enforce) certain aspects of the law.

54
Q

executive orders

A

directive issued by the President of the United States that manages the operations of the federal government. It has the force of law but does not require approval by Congress. Executive orders are a tool for the President to achieve policy goals

55
Q

war power resolution

A

The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action; Withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension

56
Q

impeachement

A

the house charges the official and the senate holds the trial

57
Q

bully pulpit

A

Public support is president’s greatest source of influence

58
Q

bargaining

A

Refers to negotiation and compromise with other political actors, particularly members of Congress Involves using the President’s unique position as the nation’s leader to shape public opinion, pressure lawmakers, and mobilize support for policies.

59
Q

chief of state

A

represents the nation and the people

60
Q

chief executive

A

responsible for executing the nations laws

61
Q

chief administrator

A

oversees over 3 million employees in the executive branch

62
Q

chief legislator

A

At the beginning of each Congress, the president
recommends legislation that he believes is necessary in the State of the Union Address.
The president also has the power to check Congress with a veto.

63
Q

chief diplomat

A

directs foreign policy and negotiates treaties

64
Q

commander in chief

A

head of the armed forces; the military takes orders from him

65
Q

chief economic planner

A

requires presidents to submit and annual economic report to congress and an annual budget

66
Q

chief of party

A

head of his political party; campaigns

sem 1 finals (7 decks)

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