Unit 2: Federal Government Vocabulary Flashcards
1
Q
Impeachment Definition
A
the process of charging a sitting president with misconduct and beginning an investigation that could lead to their removal
2
Q
Natural-Born Citizen Definition
A
someone who is considered to be a U.S. citizen at birth because they were born within the borders of the United States, its military bases, extended territories, or have a parent who is a U.S. citizen
3
Q
Lame Duck Period Definition
A
a five-month period where the sitting president who did not win or did not run in the presidential election remains in office before the next elected president’s term begins
4
Q
Pro tempore Definition
A
a Latin phrase meaning “for the time being”
5
Q
Congressional District Definition
A
a division of a state based on the number of members each state is assigned in the House of Representatives. Each congressional district elects one member to the House of Representatives.
6
Q
Electoral College Definition
A
the system used to elect the president of the United States
7
Q
Plurality Definition
A
the most votes; not necessarily a majority
8
Q
Popular Vote Definition
A
refers to the votes of voters. Winning a state’s popular vote means a candidate won the most votes of individual voters. The winner of the national popular vote is the candidate who won the most individual votes nationally.
9
Q
Inaugural Address Definition
A
a speech given by the newly elected president that informs citizens of the president’s vision for America
10
Q
New Deal Definition
A
a series of federal programs President Franklin D. Roosevelt created during the Great Depression to restore American prosperity
11
Q
Writ of Habeas Corpus Definition
A
a legal document that requires people to be charged with a crime in order to keep them in jail; it is a protection found in Article I, Section 9 of the Constitution
12
Q
Chief Diplomat Definition
A
the role of the president as the main representative of the United States in foreign affairs
13
Q
Chief Executive Definition
A
the role of the president as head of the executive branch of government
14
Q
Chief Legislator Definition
A
the role of the president as a contributor to legislation
15
Q
Chief of State Definition
A
the role of the president as representative of the government and its people
16
Q
Command in Chief Definition
A
the role of the president as the head of all the armed forces
17
Q
Executive Agreement Definition
A
an agreement between executives that does not require senatorial approval; a direct agreement between the president and foreign leaders to establish some relationship or action
18
Q
Executive Order Definition
A
a direction given to the executive branch explaining how legislation or rules should be enforced; a directive signed by the president that has the same power as federal law
19
Q
Inherent Power Definition
A
a power that is not stated in the Constitution but is necessary to fulfill constitutional duties
20
Q
Party Leader Definition
A
the role of the president as the head and representative of their political party
21
Q
Party Platform Definition
A
the ideas and beliefs that a party stands for and wishes to enact
22
Q
State of the Union Definition
A
an annual address the president delivers to Congress informing them of the occurrences within the executive branch and the administration
23
Q
Treaty Definition
A
a formal, legal agreement between countries
24
Q
Veto Definition
A
the action taken by executive heads to block legislation from continuing; a rejection of a proposal, such as a bill
25
Advice and Consent Definition
a power given to the U.S. Congress to work with the president in the confirmation of appointments and treaties
26
Cabinet Definition
the major advisors to the president. Made up mostly of the secretaries that control the various departments in the executive branch
27
Executive Departments Definition
the largest organizations in the federal government, with each department being responsible for a different area of public policy (there are 15)
28
Federal Bureau of Investigation Definition
an agency within the Department of Justice, which works to ensure that the law is enforced
29
Office of Government Ethics Definition
an office within the executive branch that helps promote and oversee ethical practices in the government
30
President-elect Definition
the individual that has been elected president and will hold the position when the next term begins
31
Recess Appointments Definition
the power of the president to fully appoint individuals to empty positions within the executive branch when the Senate is in recess
32
Secretary of the Senate Definition
an individual who is in charge of the operations of the Senate and the communication between the executive branch and the Senate
33
Senatorial Courtesy Definition
the practice by which senators will follow the decision of senators whom nominees are a part of their state; a custom in the U.S. Senate by which the president consults the senators of a given state before nominating any person to a federal vacancy within the senators’ state
34
Cold War Definition
the period after World War II when tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union increased
35
Department of Defense Definition
the department that protects the nation and organizes the military
36
Department of Labor Definition
the department that oversees workers safety, protection, and labor legislation
37
Department of Transportation Definition
the department that ensures equal access to transportation and regulates all methods of transportation
38
Executive Agencies Definition
the independent agencies, many of which regulate an aspect of the U.S. economy
39
Industrialization Definition
the increasing use of automation to manufacture products, leading to the modern factory system, mass production, and urbanization
40
Interstate Highway System Definition
started under the Eisenhower administration, this road system gradually connected most of the U.S. from east to west and north to south
41
Amnesty Definition
a generalized pardon to a group of individuals violating the same law
42
Clemency Powers Definition
the presidential powers related to the courts
43
Commute Definition
to reduce punishments issued by federal courts
44
Executive Power Definition
the power to enforce laws
45
Legislative Power Definition
the presidential powers that relate to lawmaking
46
Pardon Definition
a forgiveness of legal consequences provided to an individual or a group
47
Reprieve Definition
the postponement of a punishment issued by federal courts
48
Signing Statement Definition
a written statement issued by the president when signing a bill to explain why they signed the bill into law
49
Special Session Definition
a meeting of the U.S. Congress that occurs if the president forces Congress to deal with urgent issues when they are not already in session
50
Ambassador Definition
an individual who represents their country in a foreign nation
51
Commission Definition
an appointment of a person to high office in the armed forces
52
War Powers Resolution Definition
a resolution passed by Congress in 1973 to limit the military powers of the president by requiring Congressional approval to send and remove military troops from conflict zones
53
Great Society Definition
the sets of social programs and initiatives proposed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to reduce poverty and inequality
54
Medicaid Definition
the federally funded and state-administered health insurance program for lower-income Americans
55
Medicare Definition
the federal health insurance program for senior citizens in the United States
56
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Definition
a military alliance between the United States, Canada, and European allies
57
Take Care Clause Definition
the constitutional clause that claims the president needs to take care that all laws are properly executed
58
Vesting Clause Definition
the constitutional clause that gives all executive authority to the president
59
Bureaucracy Definition
the group of departments, agencies, and commissions that make up the executive branch
60
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Definition
the agency that conducts research and guidance to help protect public health
61
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Definition
the independent agency that gathers intelligence for domestic and foreign use
62
Commission on Civil Rights Definition
the independent agency that oversees the enforcement of federal civil rights
63
Demographic Data Definition
the information collected in the U.S. Census about major groups in the U.S. population; includes data on gender, race/ethnicity, age, etc.
64
Department of Commerce Definition
the department that helps create economic opportunity and growth
65
Department of Defense Definition
the department that protects the nation and organizes the military
66
Department of Health and Human Services Definition
the department that provides services for those with disabilities and safeguards the health of all Americans
67
Department of Homeland Security Definition
the department that protects U.S. borders and guards against foreign and domestic attacks
68
Department of Justice Definition
the department that enforces federal law and oversees the fair implementation of justice
69
Department of State Definition
the department that implements foreign policy and the U.S. mission overseas
70
Department of Treasury Definition
the department that coins money, collects taxes, and ensures the fair enforcement of economic policy
71
Environmental Protection Agency Definition
the agency in charge of conducting research and implementing regulations to ensure the protection of the environment
72
Federal Election Commission Definition
the agency that reviews and regulates election finance and practices
73
Federal Reserve Definition
the agency that regulates the money supply of the U.S. and implements regulations for banks to follow
74
Independent Federal Agency Definition
an agency established outside of departments or outside of the influence of the president
75
Infrastructure Definition
the public works that include transportation systems (roads, bridges, railroads, airports) and water systems essential for economic activity
76
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Definition
the agency that conducts research and missions to explore space, Earth, and the solar system
77
Securities and Exchange Commission Definition
the agency that regulates all investment advisors, securities exchanges, brokers, and mutual funds
78
Social Security Administration Definition
the agency in charge of providing financial protection for Americans in retirement and with disability
79
Bureaucratic Discretion Definition
the power given to the bureaucracy to decide how policies will be implemented
80
Bureaucrat Definition
a non-elected, nonpartisan expert who has rulemaking authority
81
Civil Servant Definition
a person who works for a government agency
82
Distributive Tendency Definition
the tendency for legislation to be more broad to reach more people with the benefits
83
Grant Programs Definition
government funded projects and ideas that benefit the public and encourage economic growth
84
Independent Executive Agency Definition
nonpartisan agencies established by Congress to create and enforce regulations
85
Interest Group Definition
a collection of individuals who have a common goal centered around a shared interest
86
Iron Triangle Definition
a concept that helps illustrate the relationship between the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups involved in policymaking
87
Lobby Definition
to work to influence legislation or funding
88
Merit System Definition
an arrangement that hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications
89
Nonpartisan Definition
not associated with a political party
90
Administrator Definition
the person who manages operations and/or other employees
91
Aeronautics Definition
the science of the operation of aircraft
92
Civil Employee Definition
a person employed by the government
93
Contractor Definition
an independent employee who is hired to do work
94
Food and Drug Administration Definition
the federal agency that creates and enforces regulations of food and drugs to ensure health
95
Independent Agency Definition
an agency that is part of the executive branch but functions independently
96
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Definition
the federal agency that provides guidelines, trainings, and education to make workplaces safe and healthy
97
Rulemaking Definition
the power given to agencies to create the regulations that go along with laws
98
Bureaucratic Agency Definition
a particular government unit that has been created by a legislative body that has a specific set of rules to perform a specific set of goals
99
Government Corporation Definition
a flexible government agency that runs like business corporations with greater freedoms within the private sector
100
Regulatory Agency Definition
an independent governmental agency tasked with exercising authority within the private sector of the economy, functioning outside executive supervision
101
Bicameral Definition
two houses of Congress
102
Constituency Definition
a body of voters
103
Delegate Definition
a person selected to represent a political party in a federal election
104
Great Compromise Definition
a compromise accepted during the Constitutional Convention that developed the framework for the U.S. Congress
105
New Jersey Plan Definition
a proposal made during the Constitutional Convention calling for a unicameral legislative branch based on equal representation for each state
106
Proportional Representation Definition
representation based on a state’s population
107
Republic Definition
a government in which people select leaders to represent them
108
Tyranny Definition
abuses of the government imposed on the people it serves
109
Unicameral Definition
a one-house legislature
110
Virginia Plan Definition
a proposal made during the Constitutional Convention calling for a bicameral legislative branch with membership in both houses based on a state’s population
111
Enumerated Powers Definition
the powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution
112
Implied Powers Definition
the powers that, while not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, are related to the powers that are specifically mentioned
113
Limited Government Definition
a government system where there are limits put on the powers of the government
114
Necessary and Proper Clause (also known as the Elastic Clause) Definition
the section of the Constitution that allows Congress to do what is "necessary and proper" to carry out the order given to it specifically by the Constitution
115
Cloture Definition
a procedure used to end a filibuster
116
Conference Committee Definition
a temporary committee consisting of members from both chambers, whose purpose is to reconcile different versions of a bill
117
Congressional Committee Definition
a subgroup within Congress that focuses on a specific subject area
118
Filibuster Definition
a process used by members of the minority party in the Senate to extend debate to delay or prevent the passage of legislation
119
House Rules Committee Definition
an influential committee in the House of Representatives that schedules and makes rules for debate of bills
120
Pocket Veto Definition
a veto that happens when the president fails to sign a bill after Congress has been adjourned for 10 days
121
Senate Majority Leader Definition
leads the majority party from the floor of the Senate and is the most powerful member of the Senate
122
Speaker of the House Definition
the leader of the House of Representatives
123
Subcommittee Definition
a division within a congressional committee that works on a specific aspect of the committee’s jurisdiction
124
Contractionary Fiscal Policy Definition
an action by the government to decrease money available to the people
125
Debt Definition
the accounting of all money owed by the national government
126
Deficit Definition
the accounting of money spent in excess of money collected in a fiscal year
127
Enact Definition
to put a passed bill into action making it a law
128
Expansionary Fiscal Policy Definition
an action by the government to increase money available to the people
129
Fiscal Policy Definition
the use of government spending and tax policies to influence economic conditions in the United States
130
Inflation Definition
a condition of the economy in which prices become so high that purchasing power diminishes
131
Recession Definition
a significant decline in the economy
132
Revenue Definition
an account of all income taken in by the federal government
133
Tariff Definition
a tax on imported goods
134
Congressional Chamber Definition
refers to each of the chambers of Congress known as the Senate Chamber and the House Chamber
135
Congressional Oversight Definition
the power of Congress to act as a watchdog over the executive branch by holding hearings, monitoring, and supervising federal agencies; the power of Congress to check the powers of the executive branch of government through hearings or funding bills
136
McCulloh v. Maryland Definition
the Supreme Court case in which the Court adopted a “loose” interpretation of the necessary and proper clause, allowing an expansion of implied powers.
137
General Welfare Clause Definition
the clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to collect taxes and duties to “provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States.”
138
Commerce Clause Definition
a clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade
139
Confederal Definition
relating to a system in which states or subnational governments delegate power to the national government
140
Ratification Definition
official approval
141
Primary Election Definition
a method by which some states choose candidates to go on to the general election by having voters cast their secret ballots, either through the mail or in-person at a polling location
142
Caucus Definition
a method by which some states choose candidates to go on to the general election by having voters appear in person at a meeting with other voters to discuss who the candidate will be
143
General Election Definition
the election that determines which candidate will hold office in the government
144
Apportionment Definition
the process of assigning representatives to states according to the population of the state
145
Baker v. Carr Definition
U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized the power of the court to consider the constitutionality of redistricting
146
Congressional District Definition
a territory in which constituents reside that is represented by a particular member of the U.S. House of Representatives
147
Gerrymandering Definition
the process of drawing lines for Congressional districts that results in an advantage or disadvantage for a political party, race, or ethnicity
148
Redistricting Definition
the process of drawing lines for Congressional districts according to changes that result from the census and apportionment
149
Adjourn Definition
to go out of session
150
Bill Definition
a proposal for a new law
151
Concurrence Definition
a change made to a bill to make the House of Representatives and the Senate version the same
152
Conference Committee Definition
a temporary committee comprised of members from both chambers of Congress that convenes to work on a specific project
153
Pocket Veto Definition
a veto that happens when the president fails to sign a bill after Congress has been adjourned for 10 days
154
Simple Majority Definition
more than half the votes in one chamber of Congress
155
Judicial Review Definition
a review by a court to determine the legality of a law or rule
156
Promulgate Definition
to promote; to make broadly known
157
Appropriation Definition
the money given by Congress to a federal department or agency
158
Power of the Purse Definition
the power of Congress to give or withhold money from federal agencies
159
Spending Bill Definition
a congressional bill that decides how much money is given to federal agencies
160
Bully Pulpit Definition
the president’s use of the chief executive position to dominate an issue with the public and shape public opinion
161
Civil Rights Act of 1964 Definition
a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
162
Hepburn Act of 1906 Definition
the legislation giving power to the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad charges for shipping
163
Habeas Corpus Definition
an order to bring an arrested person before a judge
164
Inherent Authority Definition
the power that emanates from a position of authority or office
165
Jim Crow Laws Definition
the laws that legalized the separation of people based on race in areas of school, public places, and transportation
166
Second Industrial Revolution Definition
a period of rapid industrialization from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century in which standardization and uniformity in the workplace replaced small artisans as sources of manufactured goods
167
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Definition
the U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled that separate but equal educational facilities are inherently unequal
168
Dred Scott v. Sandford Definition
the U. S. Supreme Court case that ruled that African Americans, whether enslaved or free, were not citizens of the United States and were not protected under the U.S. Constitution
169
Independent Judiciary Definition
the idea that the judiciary should be insulated from influence so that its decisions are based on what is right and just, not what is popular
170
Judicial Branch Definition
the branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the U.S. Supreme Court and federal court system
171
Judicial Review Definition
the doctrine that the U.S. Supreme Court has the power to determine whether the actions of the legislative branch or the executive branch are constitutional
172
Rule of Law Definition
the restriction of the arbitrary use of government power based on well-defined and established laws
173
Appellate Jurisdiction Definition
the authority of a court to hear appeals from lower-level courts
174
Diversity Jurisdiction Definition
a method used to allow federal courts the authority to hear civil cases involving parties who are citizens of two different states
175
Federal Statute Definition
a law enacted by Congress
176
Jurisdiction Definition
the authority of a court to hear a case
177
Limited Jurisdiction Definition
the authority of a court to hear only certain types of cases
178
Original Jurisdiction Definition
the authority of the court to hear cases for the first time based on evidence
179
Tenure Definition
the holding of an office
180
Associate Justice Definition
a justice on the Supreme Court who is not the chief justice
181
Chief Justice Definition
the presiding justice on the Supreme Court
182
Exclusive Jurisdiction Definition
a case that can only be heard in one type of court
183
Rule of Four Definition
the rule that four of the justices need to be in agreement before a case can be added to the Supreme Court’s calendar
184
Writ of Certiorari Definition
the process by which information about a case is sent to a higher court from a lower court
185
Writ of Mandamus Definition
a court order issued to a government official ordering them to properly fulfill their official duties
186
Marbury v. Madison Definition
the U.S. Supreme Court decision that established the doctrine of judicial review
187
Affirm Definition
a ruling by the Supreme Court that upholds the previous ruling on a case
188
Concurring Opinion Definition
an opinion that agrees with the majority opinion but not the reason for the ruling
189
Dissenting Opinion Definition
an opinion that disagrees with the majority on a case
190
Majority Opinion Definition
the official ruling of the Supreme Court on a case with a minimum of five justice votes
191
Per Curiam Opinion Definition
an opinion issued by the Supreme Court that does not identify the justice who wrote the opinion
192
Vacate Definition
a Supreme Court decision on a case that cancels the previous ruling
193
Judicial Activism Definition
the ruling on laws based on political or personal views that lead to a preferred or desired outcome regardless of the law that is written; the idea that a judge should consider the ramifications of the actions of the legislative and judicial branches rather than merely the constitutionality of those actions
194
Judicial Pragmatism Definition
a theory of analysis that uses societal norms as well as present and future needs as a driver for decision making
195
Judicial Restraint Definition
the idea that judges should not rule on matters of the constitutionality of the actions of the executive or legislative branch because those matters should be decided by the voting public
196
Originalism Definition
a way of understanding the constitution based on the ideas and intentions of the framers
197
Loose Construction Definition
a broad interpretation of the U.S. Constitution in which the document is treated as a living document that can change as the nation changes and should give the federal government powers to do what is necessary
198
Strict Construction Defintion
the interpretation of the Constitution exactly as it is written, which provides limited powers to the federal government
199
Constitutional Interpretation Definition
when judges have a different viewpoint of the Constitution and how it is applied to court cases and legislation
200
Exclusionary Rule Definition
a rule requiring that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment be excluded at trial
201
Miranda Warning Definition
the rights notification given by police that came from a U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled that suspects must be advised of their right to remain silent and their right to an attorney
202
Due Process Clause Definition
a part of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that says the state must recognize the legal rights of individuals and treat them fairly
203
Dissenting Definition
a disagreement with an official decision
204
Commission Definition
the official document signed by the president approving his appointment
