Unit 2-Interaction Among Branches of Government Flashcards
What does ‘advise and consent’ refer to?
The Senate’s power to review and approve presidential appointments and treaties.
What is an appropriation?
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
What does bicameral mean?
A legislature consisting of two chambers or houses.
What is a budget deficit?
A situation where government expenditures exceed its revenues.
What is the bully pulpit?
A public office or position of authority that provides an opportunity to speak out on issues.
What is bureaucracy?
A system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
What is bureaucratic discretion?
The ability of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement policies.
What is casework?
The assistance provided by members of Congress to constituents in their dealings with the federal government.
What is the civil service system?
A system that ensures government jobs are awarded on merit and not political affiliation.
What is a closed rule?
A procedural rule in the House of Representatives that prohibits amendments to a bill.
What is cloture?
A procedure used in the Senate to end a filibuster and bring a bill to a vote.
What is impeachment?
The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official.
What are ‘iron triangles’?
The stable, mutually beneficial relationships between government agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees.
What are issue networks?
A loose grouping of individuals and organizations that advocate for a specific policy or issue.
What is a lame-duck president?
A president who is nearing the end of their term and whose successor has already been elected.
What is a line item veto?
The power of an executive to veto specific provisions of a bill without rejecting the entire bill.
What is logrolling?
The practice of exchanging favors, especially in politics, by reciprocal voting for each other’s proposed legislation.
What is mandatory spending?
Expenditures that are required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.
What is mark-up?
The process by which congressional committees and subcommittees revise legislation.
What is Medicaid?
A government program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
What is Medicare?
A federal program that provides health coverage for individuals aged 65 and older.
What is the merit system?
A system of hiring and promoting government employees based on their qualifications and performance.
What is the role of the Commander-in-Chief?
The President’s role as the head of the armed forces.
What is the partisan role?
The role of a member of Congress to represent the interests of their political party.
What is a committee chairperson?
The leader of a congressional committee responsible for overseeing its operations.
What is patronage?
The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters.
What are committee hearings?
Meetings held by congressional committees to gather information and opinions on proposed legislation.
What is a pocket veto?
The President’s indirect veto of a bill by not signing it within ten days while Congress is adjourned.
What is the Committee of the Whole?
A device in the House of Representatives that allows all members to consider legislation as a single committee.
What is the politico role?
The role of a member of Congress who acts as a delegate or trustee depending on the issue.
What is a conference committee?
A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences in legislation passed by both houses.
What is pork (barrel)?
Government spending for localized projects secured primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.
What is a congressional committee?
A group of members of Congress assigned to consider legislation and oversee specific areas.
What is the power of the purse?
The ability of Congress to control government spending and taxation.
What is congressional oversight?
The review and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.
What is a quorum?
The minimum number of members required to conduct business in a legislative body.
What are constituents?
The residents of a congressional district or state represented by an elected official.
What is reapportionment?
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives based on population changes.
What is the delegate role?
The role of a member of Congress to act according to the wishes of their constituents.
What is red tape?
Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, often causing delays.
What is a discharge petition?
A device to bring a bill out of committee and onto the floor for consideration.
What is redistricting?
The process of redrawing district boundaries for congressional representation.
What is discretionary spending?
Government spending that is not mandated by law and can be adjusted annually.
What is a rider?
An amendment added to a bill that is not related to the main topic of the bill.
What is divided government?
A situation in which one party controls the presidency and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.
What is rule-making authority?
The power of administrative agencies to create rules and regulations.
What are earmarks?
Funds provided by Congress for specific projects or programs in a member’s district.
What is the Rules Committee?
A committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate on a bill.
What are entitlements?
Government programs that provide benefits to individuals who meet certain eligibility requirements.
What is a select committee?
A temporary committee formed for a specific purpose, often to conduct investigations.
What is an executive agreement?
An international agreement made by the President without the need for Senate approval.
What are signing statements?
Written comments issued by the President when signing a bill into law.
What are executive orders?
Directives issued by the President to manage the operations of the federal government.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives, elected by the majority party.
What is executive privilege?
The right of the President to withhold information from Congress or the courts.
What is the spoils system?
The practice of giving government jobs to political supporters as a reward for their loyalty.
What is a filibuster?
A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislative action by extending debate.
What is a standing committee?
A permanent committee in Congress that meets regularly to consider legislation.
What is franking privilege?
The right of members of Congress to send mail to their constituents free of charge.
What is the State of the Union?
An annual address delivered by the President to Congress outlining the administration’s agenda.
What is gerrymandering?
The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party.
What is the trustee role?
The role of a member of Congress to make decisions based on their own judgment and conscience.
What are government corporations?
Government agencies that operate like businesses and provide services to the public.
What is unanimous consent?
An agreement by all members of a legislative body to approve a proposal without a vote.
What is gridlock?
A situation where there is difficulty in passing laws due to political opposition.
What is a veto?
The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress.
What is AEV?
A term that may refer to a specific context or acronym; further clarification is needed.
What are holds?
A procedural practice in the Senate where a senator can prevent a motion from reaching a vote.
