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Honors American Government A > Unit 2: Federal Government Vocabulary > Flashcards

Unit 2: Federal Government Vocabulary Flashcards

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1
Q

Impeachment Definition

A

the process of charging a sitting president with misconduct and beginning an investigation that could lead to their removal

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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

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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

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4
Q

Pro tempore Definition

A

a Latin phrase meaning “for the time being”

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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.

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6
Q

Electoral College Definition

A

the system used to elect the president of the United States

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7
Q

Plurality Definition

A

the most votes; not necessarily a majority

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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.

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9
Q

Inaugural Address Definition

A

a speech given by the newly elected president that informs citizens of the president’s vision for America

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10
Q

New Deal Definition

A

a series of federal programs President Franklin D. Roosevelt created during the Great Depression to restore American prosperity

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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

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12
Q

Chief Diplomat Definition

A

the role of the president as the main representative of the United States in foreign affairs

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13
Q

Chief Executive Definition

A

the role of the president as head of the executive branch of government

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14
Q

Chief Legislator Definition

A

the role of the president as a contributor to legislation

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15
Q

Chief of State Definition

A

the role of the president as representative of the government and its people

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16
Q

Command in Chief Definition

A

the role of the president as the head of all the armed forces

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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

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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

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19
Q

Inherent Power Definition

A

a power that is not stated in the Constitution but is necessary to fulfill constitutional duties

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20
Q

Party Leader Definition

A

the role of the president as the head and representative of their political party

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21
Q

Party Platform Definition

A

the ideas and beliefs that a party stands for and wishes to enact

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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

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23
Q

Treaty Definition

A

a formal, legal agreement between countries

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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

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25
Q

Advice and Consent Definition

A

a power given to the U.S. Congress to work with the president in the confirmation of appointments and treaties

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26
Q

Cabinet Definition

A

the major advisors to the president. Made up mostly of the secretaries that control the various departments in the executive branch

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27
Q

Executive Departments Definition

A

the largest organizations in the federal government, with each department being responsible for a different area of public policy (there are 15)

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28
Q

Federal Bureau of Investigation Definition

A

an agency within the Department of Justice, which works to ensure that the law is enforced

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29
Q

Office of Government Ethics Definition

A

an office within the executive branch that helps promote and oversee ethical practices in the government

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30
Q

President-elect Definition

A

the individual that has been elected president and will hold the position when the next term begins

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31
Q

Recess Appointments Definition

A

the power of the president to fully appoint individuals to empty positions within the executive branch when the Senate is in recess

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32
Q

Secretary of the Senate Definition

A

an individual who is in charge of the operations of the Senate and the communication between the executive branch and the Senate

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33
Q

Senatorial Courtesy Definition

A

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

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34
Q

Cold War Definition

A

the period after World War II when tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union increased

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35
Q

Department of Defense Definition

A

the department that protects the nation and organizes the military

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36
Q

Department of Labor Definition

A

the department that oversees workers safety, protection, and labor legislation

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37
Q

Department of Transportation Definition

A

the department that ensures equal access to transportation and regulates all methods of transportation

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38
Q

Executive Agencies Definition

A

the independent agencies, many of which regulate an aspect of the U.S. economy

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39
Q

Industrialization Definition

A

the increasing use of automation to manufacture products, leading to the modern factory system, mass production, and urbanization

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40
Q

Interstate Highway System Definition

A

started under the Eisenhower administration, this road system gradually connected most of the U.S. from east to west and north to south

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41
Q

Amnesty Definition

A

a generalized pardon to a group of individuals violating the same law

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42
Q

Clemency Powers Definition

A

the presidential powers related to the courts

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43
Q

Commute Definition

A

to reduce punishments issued by federal courts

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44
Q

Executive Power Definition

A

the power to enforce laws

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45
Q

Legislative Power Definition

A

the presidential powers that relate to lawmaking

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46
Q

Pardon Definition

A

a forgiveness of legal consequences provided to an individual or a group

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47
Q

Reprieve Definition

A

the postponement of a punishment issued by federal courts

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48
Q

Signing Statement Definition

A

a written statement issued by the president when signing a bill to explain why they signed the bill into law

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49
Q

Special Session Definition

A

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

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50
Q

Ambassador Definition

A

an individual who represents their country in a foreign nation

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51
Q

Commission Definition

A

an appointment of a person to high office in the armed forces

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52
Q

War Powers Resolution Definition

A

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

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53
Q

Great Society Definition

A

the sets of social programs and initiatives proposed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to reduce poverty and inequality

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54
Q

Medicaid Definition

A

the federally funded and state-administered health insurance program for lower-income Americans

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55
Q

Medicare Definition

A

the federal health insurance program for senior citizens in the United States

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56
Q

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Definition

A

a military alliance between the United States, Canada, and European allies

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57
Q

Take Care Clause Definition

A

the constitutional clause that claims the president needs to take care that all laws are properly executed

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58
Q

Vesting Clause Definition

A

the constitutional clause that gives all executive authority to the president

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59
Q

Bureaucracy Definition

A

the group of departments, agencies, and commissions that make up the executive branch

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60
Q

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Definition

A

the agency that conducts research and guidance to help protect public health

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61
Q

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Definition

A

the independent agency that gathers intelligence for domestic and foreign use

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62
Q

Commission on Civil Rights Definition

A

the independent agency that oversees the enforcement of federal civil rights

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63
Q

Demographic Data Definition

A

the information collected in the U.S. Census about major groups in the U.S. population; includes data on gender, race/ethnicity, age, etc.

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64
Q

Department of Commerce Definition

A

the department that helps create economic opportunity and growth

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65
Q

Department of Defense Definition

A

the department that protects the nation and organizes the military

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66
Q

Department of Health and Human Services Definition

A

the department that provides services for those with disabilities and safeguards the health of all Americans

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67
Q

Department of Homeland Security Definition

A

the department that protects U.S. borders and guards against foreign and domestic attacks

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68
Q

Department of Justice Definition

A

the department that enforces federal law and oversees the fair implementation of justice

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69
Q

Department of State Definition

A

the department that implements foreign policy and the U.S. mission overseas

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70
Q

Department of Treasury Definition

A

the department that coins money, collects taxes, and ensures the fair enforcement of economic policy

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71
Q

Environmental Protection Agency Definition

A

the agency in charge of conducting research and implementing regulations to ensure the protection of the environment

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72
Q

Federal Election Commission Definition

A

the agency that reviews and regulates election finance and practices

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73
Q

Federal Reserve Definition

A

the agency that regulates the money supply of the U.S. and implements regulations for banks to follow

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74
Q

Independent Federal Agency Definition

A

an agency established outside of departments or outside of the influence of the president

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75
Q

Infrastructure Definition

A

the public works that include transportation systems (roads, bridges, railroads, airports) and water systems essential for economic activity

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76
Q

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Definition

A

the agency that conducts research and missions to explore space, Earth, and the solar system

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77
Q

Securities and Exchange Commission Definition

A

the agency that regulates all investment advisors, securities exchanges, brokers, and mutual funds

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78
Q

Social Security Administration Definition

A

the agency in charge of providing financial protection for Americans in retirement and with disability

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79
Q

Bureaucratic Discretion Definition

A

the power given to the bureaucracy to decide how policies will be implemented

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80
Q

Bureaucrat Definition

A

a non-elected, nonpartisan expert who has rulemaking authority

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81
Q

Civil Servant Definition

A

a person who works for a government agency

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82
Q

Distributive Tendency Definition

A

the tendency for legislation to be more broad to reach more people with the benefits

83
Q

Grant Programs Definition

A

government funded projects and ideas that benefit the public and encourage economic growth

84
Q

Independent Executive Agency Definition

A

nonpartisan agencies established by Congress to create and enforce regulations

85
Q

Interest Group Definition

A

a collection of individuals who have a common goal centered around a shared interest

86
Q

Iron Triangle Definition

A

a concept that helps illustrate the relationship between the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups involved in policymaking

87
Q

Lobby Definition

A

to work to influence legislation or funding

88
Q

Merit System Definition

A

an arrangement that hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications

89
Q

Nonpartisan Definition

A

not associated with a political party

90
Q

Administrator Definition

A

the person who manages operations and/or other employees

91
Q

Aeronautics Definition

A

the science of the operation of aircraft

92
Q

Civil Employee Definition

A

a person employed by the government

93
Q

Contractor Definition

A

an independent employee who is hired to do work

94
Q

Food and Drug Administration Definition

A

the federal agency that creates and enforces regulations of food and drugs to ensure health

95
Q

Independent Agency Definition

A

an agency that is part of the executive branch but functions independently

96
Q

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Definition

A

the federal agency that provides guidelines, trainings, and education to make workplaces safe and healthy

97
Q

Rulemaking Definition

A

the power given to agencies to create the regulations that go along with laws

98
Q

Bureaucratic Agency Definition

A

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
Q

Government Corporation Definition

A

a flexible government agency that runs like business corporations with greater freedoms within the private sector

100
Q

Regulatory Agency Definition

A

an independent governmental agency tasked with exercising authority within the private sector of the economy, functioning outside executive supervision

101
Q

Bicameral Definition

A

two houses of Congress

102
Q

Constituency Definition

A

a body of voters

103
Q

Delegate Definition

A

a person selected to represent a political party in a federal election

104
Q

Great Compromise Definition

A

a compromise accepted during the Constitutional Convention that developed the framework for the U.S. Congress

105
Q

New Jersey Plan Definition

A

a proposal made during the Constitutional Convention calling for a unicameral legislative branch based on equal representation for each state

106
Q

Proportional Representation Definition

A

representation based on a state’s population

107
Q

Republic Definition

A

a government in which people select leaders to represent them

108
Q

Tyranny Definition

A

abuses of the government imposed on the people it serves

109
Q

Unicameral Definition

A

a one-house legislature

110
Q

Virginia Plan Definition

A

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
Q

Enumerated Powers Definition

A

the powers granted to the federal government by the Constitution

112
Q

Implied Powers Definition

A

the powers that, while not specifically mentioned in the Constitution, are related to the powers that are specifically mentioned

113
Q

Limited Government Definition

A

a government system where there are limits put on the powers of the government

114
Q

Necessary and Proper Clause (also known as the Elastic Clause) Definition

A

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
Q

Cloture Definition

A

a procedure used to end a filibuster

116
Q

Conference Committee Definition

A

a temporary committee consisting of members from both chambers, whose purpose is to reconcile different versions of a bill

117
Q

Congressional Committee Definition

A

a subgroup within Congress that focuses on a specific subject area

118
Q

Filibuster Definition

A

a process used by members of the minority party in the Senate to extend debate to delay or prevent the passage of legislation

119
Q

House Rules Committee Definition

A

an influential committee in the House of Representatives that schedules and makes rules for debate of bills

120
Q

Pocket Veto Definition

A

a veto that happens when the president fails to sign a bill after Congress has been adjourned for 10 days

121
Q

Senate Majority Leader Definition

A

leads the majority party from the floor of the Senate and is the most powerful member of the Senate

122
Q

Speaker of the House Definition

A

the leader of the House of Representatives

123
Q

Subcommittee Definition

A

a division within a congressional committee that works on a specific aspect of the committee’s jurisdiction

124
Q

Contractionary Fiscal Policy Definition

A

an action by the government to decrease money available to the people

125
Q

Debt Definition

A

the accounting of all money owed by the national government

126
Q

Deficit Definition

A

the accounting of money spent in excess of money collected in a fiscal year

127
Q

Enact Definition

A

to put a passed bill into action making it a law

128
Q

Expansionary Fiscal Policy Definition

A

an action by the government to increase money available to the people

129
Q

Fiscal Policy Definition

A

the use of government spending and tax policies to influence economic conditions in the United States

130
Q

Inflation Definition

A

a condition of the economy in which prices become so high that purchasing power diminishes

131
Q

Recession Definition

A

a significant decline in the economy

132
Q

Revenue Definition

A

an account of all income taken in by the federal government

133
Q

Tariff Definition

A

a tax on imported goods

134
Q

Congressional Chamber Definition

A

refers to each of the chambers of Congress known as the Senate Chamber and the House Chamber

135
Q

Congressional Oversight Definition

A

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
Q

McCulloh v. Maryland Definition

A

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
Q

General Welfare Clause Definition

A

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
Q

Commerce Clause Definition

A

a clause in the Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate interstate and foreign trade

139
Q

Confederal Definition

A

relating to a system in which states or subnational governments delegate power to the national government

140
Q

Ratification Definition

A

official approval

141
Q

Primary Election Definition

A

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
Q

Caucus Definition

A

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
Q

General Election Definition

A

the election that determines which candidate will hold office in the government

144
Q

Apportionment Definition

A

the process of assigning representatives to states according to the population of the state

145
Q

Baker v. Carr Definition

A

U.S. Supreme Court decision that recognized the power of the court to consider the constitutionality of redistricting

146
Q

Congressional District Definition

A

a territory in which constituents reside that is represented by a particular member of the U.S. House of Representatives

147
Q

Gerrymandering Definition

A

the process of drawing lines for Congressional districts that results in an advantage or disadvantage for a political party, race, or ethnicity

148
Q

Redistricting Definition

A

the process of drawing lines for Congressional districts according to changes that result from the census and apportionment

149
Q

Adjourn Definition

A

to go out of session

150
Q

Bill Definition

A

a proposal for a new law

151
Q

Concurrence Definition

A

a change made to a bill to make the House of Representatives and the Senate version the same

152
Q

Conference Committee Definition

A

a temporary committee comprised of members from both chambers of Congress that convenes to work on a specific project

153
Q

Pocket Veto Definition

A

a veto that happens when the president fails to sign a bill after Congress has been adjourned for 10 days

154
Q

Simple Majority Definition

A

more than half the votes in one chamber of Congress

155
Q

Judicial Review Definition

A

a review by a court to determine the legality of a law or rule

156
Q

Promulgate Definition

A

to promote; to make broadly known

157
Q

Appropriation Definition

A

the money given by Congress to a federal department or agency

158
Q

Power of the Purse Definition

A

the power of Congress to give or withhold money from federal agencies

159
Q

Spending Bill Definition

A

a congressional bill that decides how much money is given to federal agencies

160
Q

Bully Pulpit Definition

A

the president’s use of the chief executive position to dominate an issue with the public and shape public opinion

161
Q

Civil Rights Act of 1964 Definition

A

a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

162
Q

Hepburn Act of 1906 Definition

A

the legislation giving power to the Interstate Commerce Commission to regulate railroad charges for shipping

163
Q

Habeas Corpus Definition

A

an order to bring an arrested person before a judge

164
Q

Inherent Authority Definition

A

the power that emanates from a position of authority or office

165
Q

Jim Crow Laws Definition

A

the laws that legalized the separation of people based on race in areas of school, public places, and transportation

166
Q

Second Industrial Revolution Definition

A

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
Q

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Definition

A

the U.S. Supreme Court case that ruled that separate but equal educational facilities are inherently unequal

168
Q

Dred Scott v. Sandford Definition

A

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
Q

Independent Judiciary Definition

A

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
Q

Judicial Branch Definition

A

the branch of government that interprets laws, consisting of the U.S. Supreme Court and federal court system

171
Q

Judicial Review Definition

A

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
Q

Rule of Law Definition

A

the restriction of the arbitrary use of government power based on well-defined and established laws

173
Q

Appellate Jurisdiction Definition

A

the authority of a court to hear appeals from lower-level courts

174
Q

Diversity Jurisdiction Definition

A

a method used to allow federal courts the authority to hear civil cases involving parties who are citizens of two different states

175
Q

Federal Statute Definition

A

a law enacted by Congress

176
Q

Jurisdiction Definition

A

the authority of a court to hear a case

177
Q

Limited Jurisdiction Definition

A

the authority of a court to hear only certain types of cases

178
Q

Original Jurisdiction Definition

A

the authority of the court to hear cases for the first time based on evidence

179
Q

Tenure Definition

A

the holding of an office

180
Q

Associate Justice Definition

A

a justice on the Supreme Court who is not the chief justice

181
Q

Chief Justice Definition

A

the presiding justice on the Supreme Court

182
Q

Exclusive Jurisdiction Definition

A

a case that can only be heard in one type of court

183
Q

Rule of Four Definition

A

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
Q

Writ of Certiorari Definition

A

the process by which information about a case is sent to a higher court from a lower court

185
Q

Writ of Mandamus Definition

A

a court order issued to a government official ordering them to properly fulfill their official duties

186
Q

Marbury v. Madison Definition

A

the U.S. Supreme Court decision that established the doctrine of judicial review

187
Q

Affirm Definition

A

a ruling by the Supreme Court that upholds the previous ruling on a case

188
Q

Concurring Opinion Definition

A

an opinion that agrees with the majority opinion but not the reason for the ruling

189
Q

Dissenting Opinion Definition

A

an opinion that disagrees with the majority on a case

190
Q

Majority Opinion Definition

A

the official ruling of the Supreme Court on a case with a minimum of five justice votes

191
Q

Per Curiam Opinion Definition

A

an opinion issued by the Supreme Court that does not identify the justice who wrote the opinion

192
Q

Vacate Definition

A

a Supreme Court decision on a case that cancels the previous ruling

193
Q

Judicial Activism Definition

A

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
Q

Judicial Pragmatism Definition

A

a theory of analysis that uses societal norms as well as present and future needs as a driver for decision making

195
Q

Judicial Restraint Definition

A

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
Q

Originalism Definition

A

a way of understanding the constitution based on the ideas and intentions of the framers

197
Q

Loose Construction Definition

A

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
Q

Strict Construction Defintion

A

the interpretation of the Constitution exactly as it is written, which provides limited powers to the federal government

199
Q

Constitutional Interpretation Definition

A

when judges have a different viewpoint of the Constitution and how it is applied to court cases and legislation

200
Q

Exclusionary Rule Definition

A

a rule requiring that evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment be excluded at trial

201
Q

Miranda Warning Definition

A

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
Q

Due Process Clause Definition

A

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
Q

Dissenting Definition

A

a disagreement with an official decision

204
Q

Commission Definition

A

the official document signed by the president approving his appointment

Honors American Government A (8 decks)

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