Unit 2 Vocab MUST KNOW

Question 1

Baker vs Carr

Answer 1

Court case that held that federal courts could hear cases alleging that a state’s drawing of electoral boundaries, i.e. redistricting, violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution.

Question 2

Shaw vs Reno

Answer 2

The Court ruled that claims of racial redistricting must be held to a standard of strict scrutiny, meaning that any law that results in classification by race must have a compelling government interest, be narrowly tailored to meet that goal, and be the least restrictive means for achieving that interest.

Question 3

17th amendment

Answer 3

allowing voters to cast direct votes for U.S. senators.

Question 4

gerrymandering

Answer 4

manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.

Question 5

congressional oversight

Answer 5

review, monitoring, and supervision of federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation. - check on executive power.

Question 6

enumerated powers/expressed

Answer 6

the powers granted to the Federal government, and specifically Congress,

Question 7

rules committee

Answer 7

a legislative committee responsible for expediting the passage of bills.

Question 8

filibuster/cloture

Answer 8

an attempt to delay or block a vote on a piece of legislation or a confirmation/ procedure for ending a debate and taking a vote.

Question 9

implied powers

Answer 9

political powers granted to the United States government that aren’t explicitly stated in the Constitution

Question 10

executive agreement

Answer 10

an international agreement, usually regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.

Question 11

cabinet

Answer 11

the senior decision-making body in government/ role is to advise the President on any subject he or she may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office

Question 12

executive order

Answer 12

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Question 13

executive privilege

Answer 13

the privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest.

Question 14

state of the union

Answer 14

message from the President to Congress, usually given once a year in January or February. In the message, the President talks about important issues facing Americans and offers his ideas on solving the nation’s problems, including suggestions for new laws and policies.

Question 15

dred scott vs stanford

Answer 15

the Supreme Court held that former slaves did not have standing in federal courts because they lacked U.S. citizenship, even after they were freed.

Question 16

marbury vs madision

Answer 16

strengthened the federal judiciary by establishing for it the power of judicial review, by which the federal courts could declare legislation, as well as executive and administrative actions, inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution (“unconstitutional”) and therefore null and void.

Question 17

judicial review noun

Answer 17

review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act.

Question 18

judicial activism

Answer 18

a philosophy of judicial decision-making whereby judges allow their personal views about public policy, among other factors, to guide their decisions, usually with the suggestion that adherents of this philosophy tend to find constitutional violations

Question 19

judicial self-restraint

Answer 19

ensures that courts cannot invalidate or impose upon the liberty to make laws.

Question 20

Marshall Court

Answer 20

established the principle of “judicial review” whereby Congressional laws and executive actions may be judged by the Supreme Court to be within the bounds of the Constitution.

Question 21

Roberts court

Answer 21

(2005-present) Current Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court. Known for marriage equality decision.

Question 22

earl warren

Answer 22

Court’s most important decisions was the ruling that made racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Question 23

appellate jurisdiction

Answer 23

the power to reverse or modify the the lower court’s decision

Question 24

original jurisdiction

Answer 24

A court’s power to hear and decide a case before any appellate review.