unit 2 vocab Flashcards by laurel g

a lawmaking body made up of two chambers or houses

bicameral legislature

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the minimum number of members who must be present for business to be conducted in congress

quorum

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the ability of congressional members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by using their signature for postage

franking privilege

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the legislative leader elected by party members holding the majority of seats in the house or senate

majority leader

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the legislative leader elected by party members holding the minority of seats in the house or senate

minority leader

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a senator of representative who assists the party leader by staying informed about the voting decisions of other members

whip

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a strong division in the views of republicans and democrats on the legislative agenda

party polarization

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a group of congressional members that meet to pursue a common legislative agenda

congressional caucus

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permanently established legislative committees that review and consider bills in both the house and senate

standing committee

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congressional committees appointed for a limited time and usually for an investigative purpose

select committee

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a committee made up of members from both the house and senate

joint committee

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a joint committee appointed to iron out the differences in the senate and house versions of the same bill

conference committee

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a device used to force a bill that has been stuck in a committee for over thirty days, out onto the floor

discharge petition

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a request or agreement setting the terms for the consideration or debate of a specified bill or other measure

unanimous consent

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issues that people believe require governmental action

political/policy agenda

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practice of legislators trading mutual support for their legislative proposals

logrolling

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occurs when different parties control the white house and congress

divided government

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occurs when the same party controls the white house and both houses of congress

unified government

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a stalling approach by which a senator asks to be informed before a particular bill is brought to the floor, tactic is used to stop a bill from reaching the floor

hold

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“hidden” congressional provisions that designate money for specific projects or programs

earmarks

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legislation that provides benefits to constituents in a particular district or state in the hope of winning their votes in return. for example- providing funding to build a bridge in a particular city

pork barrel legislation

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descriptive of elected representatives who use their best judgment when making legislative voting decisions

trustee

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descriptive of elected representatives who base their legislative voting decisions on the desires and opinions of their constituents

delegate

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descriptive of elected representatives who balance their constituents’ opinions with their best judgement when making legislative voting decisions

politico

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a process used by the senate to end or limit debate/filibusters

cloture rule

an attempt to stall or defeat a bill in the senate by talking for an extended period of time

filibuster

the practice of drawing districts in unusual shapes for the political advantage of one political party or group

gerrymandering

the practice of redistributing house seats every ten years according to census data

reapportionment

the practice of distributing house seats into unequal districts, which diminishes certain district's representative voice

malapportionment

the redrawing of legislative district lines after the census has been taken, to accommodate population shifts and ensure equal representation

redistricting

the individuals who live in the area an elected official is representing

constitutuency

The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action.

gridlock

Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

formal power

Authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

informal power

A directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of Congress.

executive order

A pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president’s term.

executive agreement

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.

treaty

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.

cabinet

The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.

bully pulpit

An annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda.

state of the union

The president’s ability to keep certain communications private. United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations.

executive privilege

This provision of the Constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.

22nd amendment

This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.

25th amendment

The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress.

veto

When a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned.

pocket veto

The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can.

line-item veto

Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.

signing statement

The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.

impeachment

Official forgiveness of a crime.

pardon

An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit.

lame duck

The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch.

congressional oversight

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.

bureaucracy

The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.

executive office of the president

Personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.

white house staff

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary.

executive departments

Agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress or the President.

independent regulatory commissions

A government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.

government corporations

This part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.

office of management and budget

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by the laws of Congress.

discretionary authority/bureaucratic discretion

The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit.

civil service

Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

merit system

The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service.

pendleton act

A mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

iron triangle

A link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue.

issue network

A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.

appropriation

The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector.

regulation

The view that judges should decide cases strictly on the basis of the language of laws and the Constitution.

judicial restraint

The view that judges should apply the principles and provisions of the Constitution to modern circumstances.

judicial activism

Federal courts authorized by Article III of the Constitution that keeps judges in office for life during good behavior.

constitutional courts

The lowest federal courts that have original jurisdiction over most federal cases.

district courts

Federal courts that hear appeals from district courts. They review each case for possible errors.

courts of appeals

The highest court in the United States, made up of nine justices.

supreme court

Courts created by Congress for specialized purposes, such as the U.S. Tax Court.

legislative courts

A consideration of the political ideology of a nominated judge.

litmus test

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

judicial review

An order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review.

writ of certiorari

Landmark Supreme Court case that established the court’s power of judicial review.

marbury v. madison

The party that initiates a lawsuit.

plaintiff

A legal rule stating who is authorized to start a lawsuit.

standing

The principle set by the court in one case that will be used as the basis for deciding future cases.

precedent

A case brought by an individual that will impact that person and all others similarly situated.

class-action suit

The authority of a court to hear a case first.

original jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case brought to them on appeal from a lower court.

appellate jurisdiction

A written statement by an attorney that summarizes a case and the laws and rulings that support it.

brief

A brief submitted by a “friend of the court” to provide the court with additional information on a case.

amicus curiae brief

The judicial opinion agreed upon by more than half of the members of the court that explains the reasoning of the court’s decision.

opinion of the court/majority opinion

A signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view, but for different reasons.

concurring opinion

A signed opinion that features the perspective of those justices who disagreed with the majority opinion.

dissenting opinion

“Let the decision stand” or allowing prior rulings to determine the court’s stand on a current case.

stare decisis

Unwritten custom that the Senate will not approve a judicial nomination if opposed by a senator from the state in which the nominee is to serve.

senatorial courtesy

In order for a case to be granted certiorari, four justices must agree that the case is worthy to be heard.

rule of 4