Section 1
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Cards (300)
Section 1
(50 cards)
Factions
A group that seeks to promote its own special interests at the expense of the common good
ex post facto law
a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
Gibbons V Ogden
This case involved New York trying to grant a monopoly on waterborne trade between New York and New Jersey. Judge Marshal, of the Supreme Court, sternly reminded the state of New York that the Constitution gives Congress alone the control of interstate commerce.
Direct Democracy
A system where citizens directly vote on all maters of public policy.
Public Goods
Goods, Like Clean Air, that every one must share.
Political Culture
Set of values shared by society.
Anti-Federalists
Opponents of the Constitution at the time states were contemplating ratification (adoption)--Know arguments of anti-federalists
Pluralism
A theory of government that holds that open, multiple, and competing groups can check the asserted power by any one group.
Implied Powers
Powers that go beyond those that are enumerated (spelled out) in the constitution. Comes from elastic clause. --Congress has the power to "make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution" the powers enumerated in Article I
strict constructionist
an approach to constitutional interpretation that emphasizes the Framers' original intentions
Marbury V Madison
This case establishes the Supreme Court's power of Judicial Review. Jefferson would not institute Adams' midnight judges.
Elite/ Class Theory
A theory of government and politics that contents societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.
Gridlock
A condition that exists when no coalition is strong enough to form a majority and make policy.
Formal Amendment Process
Process through which amendments are added to the constitution. Phase one is proposal by either 2/3 of Congres or Convention requested by 2/3 of the state Phase 2 is ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures or 3/4 of state conventions.
Public Policy
A choice the government makes in response to a political issue.
Republic
a form of government that derives its power directly from the people. The people elect representatives to make public policy.
Elastic Clause
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution, which allows Congress to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out the powers of the Constitution.
Enumerated Powers
Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.
Federalist 10
An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable
Shay's Rebellion
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures. It highlighted the need for a strong national government just as the call for the Constitutional Convention went out.
Reserved powers
Power retained by the states, including the power to establish schools, set marriage and divorce laws, and regulate trade within the state. (established by 10th amendment)
New Jersey Plan
- opposite of the Virginia Plan, it proposed a single-chamber congress in which each state had one vote. This created a conflict with representation between bigger states, who wanted control befitting their population.
Judicial Review
Authority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison
Federalism
the way of organizing a nation so two or more levels of government have formal authority over the same land and people. A system of shared power.
Majority Rule/ Minority Rights
Fundamental principle of democratic theory that requires the majority desire be respected but guarantees rights to the minority opinion the majority cannot remove
Informal Amemndemnts
Informal ways we interpret constitution: Judicial Review, Political Practice (Primaries), Technology, Policy Demands, etc
Separation of powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
Policy Agenda
Issues that attract the serious attention of public officials / political leaders at any given point of time.
Ex Post Facto
A law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed
Articles of Confederation
a written agreement ratified in 1781 by the thirteen original states. Weakly organized the 13 states under a central congress.
McCulloch V Maryland
An 1819 Supreme Court decision that established the supremacy of the national government over state governments. In deciding this case, Chief Justice John Marshall and his colleagues held that Congress had certain implied powers in addition to the enumerated powers found in the Constitution. (National Bank)
Virginia Plan
(1787) the plan for government proposed at the Constitutional Convention in which the national government would have supreme power and a legislative branch would have two houses with representation determined by state population
Limited Government
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
Supremacy Clause
Article VI of the Constitution: The constitution, laws passed by congress, and treaties, are supreme over state laws when national government is acting within constitutional limits
Federalist Papers
85 Articles written in support of ratification of the Constitution. John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.
Unitary Government
a way of organizing a nation so all power resides in a single central government
Natural Rights
Life, Liberty, and Property (John Locke)
Federalists
Supporters of the constitution during the time states were contemplating ratification--Know arguments of Federalists
10th Amendment
reserves powers not given to national government to the states,
Pluralist Theory
Theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly competition among interest groups. Each one presses for its own preferred policies.
Government
The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
Compromise agreement by states at the Constitutional Convention for a bicameral legislature with a lower house in which representation would be based on population and an upper house in which each state would have two senators
Riders
Amendments to bills, often in the form of appropriations, that sometimes have nothing to do with the intent of the bill itself and many times are considered to be pork barrel legislation
Checks and Balances
A governmental structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others.
Bill of Attainder
A law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime. Barred by the constitution.
Bill of rights
First 10 Amendments to the Constitution. Drafted in response to anti-federalist concerns that the document did not protect individual liberty.
Writ of Habeas Corpus
A court order requiring jailers to explain to a judge why they are holding a prisoner in custody. Barred by the constitution except in times of war.
Loose Constructionist
A person who interprets the Constitution in a way that allows the federal government to take actions that the constitution does not specifically forbid it from taking
Declaration of Independence
1776 statement, issued by the Second Continental Congress, explaining why the colonies wanted independence from Britain.Stating our natural rights to Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Consent of the Governed
the idea that government derives its authority by the sanction of the people
Section 2
(50 cards)
Due Process Clause
part of the 14th amendment guaranteeing that persons cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property by the US or state government without due process of law. (see Gitlow)
Brown v Board of Education
1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.
Jim Crow Laws
Laws designed to enforce segregation of blacks from whites
Bully Pulpit
a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue. used most often regarding the president.
New York Times v Sullivan
1964; established guidelines for determining whether public officials and public figures could win damage suits for libel. To do so, individuals must prove that the defamatory statements were made w/ "actual malice" and reckless disregard for the truth
Free Exercise Clause
A First Amendment provision that prohibits government from interfering with the practice of religion.
Brandenburg V Ohio
Gov't can't punish or prohibit inflammatory speech unless it is likely to incite imminent lawless action.
Miranda v. Arizona
Supreme Court held that criminal suspects must be informed of their right to consult with an attorney and of their right against self-incrimination prior to questioning by police.
Block Grants
Federal grants given more or less automatically to states or communities to support broad programs in areas such as community development and social services
Cooperative Federalism
A system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government. They may also share costs, administration, and even blame for programs that work poorly. Also called "marble cake federalism."
Civil Rights Act of 1964
1964; banned discrimination in public acomodations, prohibited discrimination in any federally assisted program, outlawed discrimination in most employment; enlarged federal powers to protect voting rights and to speed school desegregation; this and the voting rights act helped to give African-Americans equality on paper, and more federally-protected power so that social equality was a more realistic goal
Texas v Johnson
A 1989 case in which the Supreme Court struck down a law banning the burning of the American flag on the grounds that such action was symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.
Fiscal Federalism
The pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system; it is the cornerstone of the national government's relations with state and local governments.
Categorical Grants
Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions. Compare to block grants. (Most common grant-in-aid)
Gitlow v New York
established selective incorporation of the Bill of rights; states cannot deny freedom of speech; protected through the 14th amendment
libel
(n.) a written statement that unfairly or falsely harms the reputation of the person about whom it is made; (v.) to write or publish such a statement
Roe v Wade
established national abortion guidelines; trimester guidelines; no state interference in 1st; state may regulate to protect health of mother in 2nd; state may regulate to protect health or unborn child in 3rd. inferred from right of privacy established in griswald v. connecticut
Self Incrimination
the situation occurring when an individual accused of a crime is compelled to be a witness against himself or herself in court. The Fifth Amendment forbids self-incrimination.
First Amendment
5 individual liberties: Freedom of the Press, Speech, Religion, Assembly, and Petition
Schenck v. United States
A United States Supreme Court decision that upheld the Espionage Act of 1917 and concluded that a defendant did not have a First Amendment right to freedom of speech against the draft during World War I. Ultimately, the case established the "clear and present danger" test.
Mapp v Ohio
Established the exclusionary rule was applicable to the states (evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court)
Civil Liberties
legal constitutional protections against government. Spelled out in bill of rights but meaning determined by courts and legislatures.
Full Faith and Credit
Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state
Plessy v Ferguson
a 1896 Supreme Court decision which legalized state ordered segregation so long as the facilities for blacks and whites were equal
Federal Mandate
A requirement in federal legislation that forces states and municipalities to comply with certain rules.
Equal Protection Clause
14th amendment clause that prohibits states from denying equal protection under the law, and has been used to combat discrimination
Dual Federalism
A system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies. Also called "layer cake federalism."
Symbolic Speech
nonverbal communication, such as burning a flag or wearing an armband. The Supreme Court has accorded some symbolic speech protection under the first amendment.
Prior Restraint
A government preventing material from being published. This is a common method of limiting the press in some nations, but it is usually unconstitutional in the United States, according to the First Amendment and as confirmed in the 1931 Supreme Court case of Near v. Minnesota.
Unfunded Mandate
actions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required.
Establishment Clause
Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.
Planned Parenthood v Casey
A 1992 case in which the Supreme Court loosened its standard for evaluating restrictions on abortion from one of "strict scrutiny" of any restraints on a "fundamental right" to one of "undue burden" that permits considerably more regulation.
Lemon V Kurtzman
1971: Established a 3 part test to determine if the Establishment Clause is being violated: nonsecular purpose, does not advance/inhibit religion, is not excessively entangled with government.
Griswold v Connecticut
Established that there is an implied right to privacy in the U.S. Constitution
Extradition
A legal process whereby an alleged criminal offender is surrendered by the officials of one state to officials of the state in which the crime is alleged to have been committed.
Tinker v Des Moines
The case that ruled that students do not lose Constitutional rights when they entered the building but they can be limited if they cause a disruption
Poll Tax
A special tax that must be paid as a qualification for voting. The Twenty-fourth Amendment to the Constitution outlawed the poll tax in national elections, and in 1966 the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional in all elections. Affected poor minority voters.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Passed by Congress in 1991, this act banned discrimination against the disabled in employment and mandated easy access to all public and commercial buildings.
Civil Rights
Policies designed to protect people from arbitrary or discriminatory treatment by government officials or individuals
Voting Rights Act of 1965
1965; invalidated the use of any test or device to deny the vote and authorized federal examiners to register voters in states that had disenfranchised blacks; as more blacks became politically active and elected black representatives, it brought jobs, contracts, and facilities and services for the black community, encouraging greater social equality and decreasing the wealth and education gap
Inherently Suspect
When it comes to classifications on the basis of race, the Supreme Court applies the __________ standard of review
Exclusionary Rule
A rule that provides that otherwise admissible evidence cannot be used in a criminal trial if it was the result of illegal police conduct
Unreasonable Search and Seizures
Obtaining evidence in a haphazard or random manner, a practice prohibited by the 4th amendment; probable cause and a search warrant are required for this to be legal
Right to privacy
A contrived right from unstated liberties in the Bill of Rights.
Engel V Vitale
A nondenominational prayer was authorized to be said at the start of each day at local public schools. Result: The prayer violated the establishment clause. = 1st A.
slander
A false statement which harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them
Incorporation Doctrine
the legal concept under which the Supreme Court has nationalized the Bill of Rights by making most of its provisions applicable to the states through the fourteenth amendment (due process)
Gideon v Wainwright
a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In the case, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the Sixth Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys.
Privileges and Immunities
States are prohibited from unreasonably discriminating against residents of other states (article 4)
Suffrage
Right to vote
Section 3
(50 cards)
line-item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
Citizens United v FEC
A 2010 decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that independent expenditures are free speech protected by the 1st Amendment and so cannot be limited by federal law. Leads to creation of SuperPACs & massive rise in amount of third party electioneering.
Ticket Spitting
voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election
Random Digit Dialing
A poll in which respondents are selected at random from a list of 10-digit telephone numbers, with every effort made to avoid bias in the construction of the sample.
Proportional Representation
An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.
National Convention
A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.
General Election
An election held to choose which candidate will hold office
pocket veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
Representative Democracy
A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.
Open Primaries
Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests.
Soft Money
Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.
senatorial courtesy
a custom whereby presidential appointments are confirmed only if there is no objection to them by the senators from the appointee's state, especially from the senior senator of the president's party from that state.
Public Opinion
distribution of a population's beliefs about politics and policy
Buckley v Valeo
A case in which the Supreme Court of the United States upheld federal limits on campaign contributions and ruled that spending money to influence elections is a form of constitutionally protected free speech. The court also stated candidates can give unlimited amounts of money to their own campaigns.
Federal Election Commission
A six-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974. The federal Election Commission administers and enforces campaign finance laws.
Gender Gap
A consistent attitudinal pattern where women are more likely than men to express liberal attitudes and to support Democratic candidates.
affirmative action
A policy in educational admissions or job hiring that gives special attention or compensatory treatment to traditionally disadvantaged groups in an effort to overcome present effects of past discrimination.
Party Platform
A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.
enumerated powers
Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.
Exit Poll
A poll taken of a small percentage of voters as they leave the polls, used to forecast the outcome of an election or determine the reasons for voting decisions
Mass Media
Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other means of popular communication.
Tasks of the Political Parties
Parties Pick Candidates, Run Campaigns, Cue Voters, Articulate Policy, Coordinate Policymaking
Press Conferences
meetings of public officials with reporters
census
required every 10 years by the Constitution. Valuable for understanding demographic changes.
Political Action Committee (PAC)
A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
Nomination
A political party's official endorsement of a candidate. Generally, success in the primary elections brings momentum, money, and media attention, which ultimately helps a candidate win the nomination from their party.
Public Opinion Poll
a survey in which individuals are asked to answer questions about a particular issue or person
Civil Disobedience
A form of political participation that reflects a conscious decision to break a law believed to be immoral and to suffer the consequences.
Random Sampling
A method of poll selection that gives each person in a group the same chance of being selected.
Winner-Take-All
An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in the constituencies. In American presidential elections, the system in which the winner of the popular vote in a state receives all the electoral votes of that state.
Closed Primary
A primary election limited to registered party members. Prevents members of other parties from crossing over to influence the nomination of an opposing party's candidate.
Patronage
Granting favors or giving contracts or making appointments to office in return for political support
Blanket Primaries
elections to select party nominees in which voters are presented with a list of candidates from all the parties. Voters can then select some Democrats and some Republicans if they like.
Third Party
A political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system--Obstacles to success? What do they bring to the system?
Superdelegates
National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the Democratic national party convention.
Political Party
A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy
Regents of the University of California v Bakke
1978 S. Ct. decision holding that a state university could not admit less qualified individuals solely because of their race. The Court did not, however, rule that such affirmative action policies and the use of race as a criterion for admission were unconstitutional, only that they had to be formulated differently.
Sampling Error
The level of confidence in the findings of a public opinion poll.
Caucus
A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform. IOWA
Sound Bite
A brief, memorable comment that can easily be fit into news broadcasts.
Reapportionment
The process of reallocating seats in the House of Representatives every 10 years on the basis of the results of the census.
McCain-Feingold
Banned soft money, increased amount of individual contributions and limited issue ads.
Narrowcasting
As opposed to the traditional "broadcasting," the appeal to a narrow, particular audience.
Political Socialization
Complex process by which people get their sense of political identity, beliefs, and values (family, school, media, religion, national events-all help to socialize) Family is most influential.
Party Identification
A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other. To join a party in the US, you simply proclaim your preference.
Primary Election
Election in which voters choose the candidates from each party who will run in the general election
political efficacy
The belief that one's political participation really matters - that one's vote can actually make a difference
Frontloading
The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention
Federal Election Campaign Act
A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.
3/5 Compromise
the decision at the Constitutional convention to count slaves as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of deciding the population and determining how many seats each state would have in Congress
Section 4
(50 cards)
Speaker of the House
An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant.
Chief of Staff
Head of the White House staff, who has continuous, direct contact with the president.
Casework
Activities of members of Congress that help constituents as individuals; cutting through bureaucratic red tape to get people what they think they have a right to get
Legislative Oversight
Congress' monitoring of the bureaucracy and its administration of policy, performed mainly through hearings
voter registration
A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of Election Day. A few states permit Election day registration.
President of the Senate
the presiding officer of a senate; in Congress, the vice president of the United States; Can break a tie
War Powers Act of 1973
In 1973, Congress passed this law which requires that soldiers sent into military action overseas by the President be brought back within sixty days unless Congress approves the action.
Veto
Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature. Overridden with 2/3 vote of both houses.
filibuster
A strategy unique to the Senate whereby opponents of a piece of legislation try to talk it to death, based on the tradition of unlimited debate. Today, 60 members present and voting can halt a filibuster.
Select Committee
Committees created by Congress to conduct special investigations.
Bicameralism
The principle of a two-house legislature
Joint Committee
A committee of the House and the Senate that usually acts as a study group and reports its findings back to the House and the Senate
Executive Aggrement
An agreement made between the executive branch of the U.S. government and a foreign government without ratification by the Senate
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Legal briefs submitted by a "friend of the court" for the purpose of raising additional points of view and presenting information not contained in the briefs of the formal parties. These briefs attempt to influence a court's decision. Often submitted by interest groups.
Minority Leader
Leader of the minority party in a legislature
Impeachment
An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Senate holds trial (convicts with 2/3 vote) and Chief Justice presides.
Advantages of Incumbency
Advertising, Casework, Pork Barrel, Campaign Spending, Weak Opponents
Conference Committee
Committee appointed by the presiding officers of each chamber to adjust differences on a particular bill passed by each in different form.
Electoral Madate
the perception that an election victory signals broad support for the winner's proposed policies
Litigation
A lawsuit.
interest group
An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy
Electoral College
A group selected by the states to elect the president and the vice-president, in which each state's number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and representatives in Congress.
Iron Triangle
A powerful alliance of mutual benefit among an agency or unit of the government, an interest group, and a committee or subcommittee of Congress. Also called a triangle or a sub-government.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Executive office responsible for helping the President write the federal budget and monitoring federal spending.
Cloture Rule
A rule used by the Senate to end or limit debate. Designed to prevent "talking a bill to death" by filibuster. For a bill to pass in the Senate, three-fifths of the entire Senate membership must vote for it.
Incumbent
An officeholder who is seeking reelection.
Senate Term of Office
6 Years
House Rules Committee
An institution unique to the House of Representative that reviews all bills (except revenue, budget, and appropriations bills) coming from a House committee before they go to the full House. (Traffic Cop)
Presidential Coattails
These occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president's party because they support the president. Recent studies show that few races are won this way.
Cabinet
Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president. Cabinet departments are created by CONGRESS
Whip
A senator or representative who helps the party leader stay informed about what party members are thinking, rounds up members when important votes are to be taken, and attempts to keep a nose count on how the voting on controversial issues is likely to go.
midterm election
Elections held midway between presidential elections.
Congressional Caucus
An association or members of Congress based on party, interest, or social group such as gender or race.
Pork Barrel
the mighty list of federal projects, grants, and contracts available to cities, businesses, colleges, and institutions available in a congressional district
Standing Committee
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Vice President
According to the Constitution this person is the official head of the Senate
House Age
25
Lobbying
A strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of the legislature or bureaucracy.
Pocket Veto
A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.
Senate Majority Leader
First-ranking party position, held by a distinguished senior member of the majority party in the Senate. The Senate majority leader schedules floor actions on bills, and helps guide the majority party's legislative program through the Senate.
Executive Order
A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. Executive orders can implement and give administrative effect to provisions in the Constitution, to treaties, and to statutes.
Senate Age
30
Watergate
(RN), 1972, The events and scandal surrounding a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment, Ford becomes President
Advice and Consent
Terms in the Constitution describing the U.S. Senate's power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments.
Motor Voter Act of 1993
The legislation required state governments to allow for registration when a qualifying voter applied for or renewed their driver's license or applied for social services.
House Majority Leader
Elected leader of the party that controls the House of Representatives.
Electioneering
Direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for candidates, and some form political action committees (PAC)
President Age
35
Committee Chair
The most important influencers of the congressional agenda. They play dominant roles in scheduling hearings, hiring staff, appointing subcommittees, and managing committee bills when they are brought before the full house.
House Term of Office
2 years
Section 5
(50 cards)
Budget
A policy document allocating burdens (taxes) and benefits (expenditures).
Precedent
A court decision that furnishes an example or authority for deciding subsequent cases involving identical or similar facts.
Rule of Four
Requirement that a case can only be heard by the Supreme Court if four justices vote to hear the case
Original Intent
A view that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the original intent of the framers.
Civil Service
A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit principle and the desire to create a nonpartisan government service.
double jeopardy
Being tried twice for the same crime
Stare Decisis
A common law doctrine under which judges are obligated to follow the precedents established in prior decisions
Senatorial Courtesty
Practice of allowing senators from the president's party who represent the state where a judicial district is located to approve or disapprove potential nominees for lower federal courts
Majority Opinion
a statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case
Judicial Activism
An interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court)
Appropriations Bill
An act of Congress that actually funds programs within limits established by authorization bills. Appropriations usually cover one year.
Criminal Law
A law that defines crimes against the public order.
Income Tax
Shares of individual wages and corporate revenues collected by the government. The Sixteenth Amendment explicitly authorized Congress to levy a tax on income.
Concurring Opionion
an opinion that agrees with the majority in a supreme court ruling but differs on the reasoning
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
Advises Congress on the probable consequences of its decisions, forecasts revenues, and is a counterweight to the president's Office of Management and Budget.
Chief Diplomat
The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.
Executive Privledge
The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security
Iron Triange
The mutually advantageous relationship among an agency, a committee, and an interest group
Social Security Act
(FDR) 1935, guaranteed retirement payments for enrolled workers beginning at age 65; set up federal-state system of unemployment insurance and care for dependent mothers and children, the handicapped, and public health
Merit Principle
The idea that hiring should be based on entrance exams and promotion ratings to produce administration by people with talent and skill.
Power of the Purse
Constitutional power given to Congress to raise and spend money
Unalienable Rights
basic rights of the people that may not be taken away. such as Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.
Federal Debt
all the money borrowed by the federal government over the years and still outstanding
Originalism
the belief that the United States Constitution should be interpreted in the way the authors originally intended it
Defecit
The amount of money a year the government spends above what it takes in.
Appellate Jurisdiction
Authority of court to review a decision of a lower court or administrative agency.
legislative veto
The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision. Although the War Powers Resolution asserts this authority, there is reason to believe that, if challenged, the Supreme Court would find the legislative veto in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.
Supreme Court
Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine constitutionality of statutes
Civil Law
A law that governs relationships between individuals and defines their legal rights.
Presidents Control the Bureaucracy
Appoint Right Agency Heads; Issue Executive Orders, Alter Agencies Budget Requests; Reorganize an Agency
Independent Regulatory Commission
Government agencies that exercise quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative powers and are administratively independent of both the president and Congress (although politically independent of neither).
District Court
A court system that has original jurisdiction over most federal cases, meaning they try a case the first time it is heard. Both civil and criminal cases are heard in these courts and most federal cases begin.
Policy Implementation
the stage of policymaking between the establishment of a policy and the consequences of the policy for the people whom it affects. It involves translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an operating, ongoing program.
Bureaucracy
A complex structure of offices, tasks, and rules in which employees have specific responsibilities and work within a hierarchy of authority. Government bureaucracies are charged with implementing policies.
Fiscal Policy
A government policy for dealing with the budget (especially with taxation and borrowing)
Commander in Chief
The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service
Original Jurisdiction
The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.
Revenue Bill
Bills that raise taxes must originate in the House of Representatives
Congress Control the Bureaucracy
Legislative Oversight (Hearings); Senate can influence appointment of agency heads; power of the purse; rewrite or make law more detailed
Dissenting Opinion
A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion
House Ways and Means Committee
Charged with writing tax legislation and bills affecting Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs.
Pendleton Civil Service Act
1883 law that created a Civil Service Commission and stated that federal employees could not be required to contribute to campaign funds nor be fired for political reasons
Monetary Policy
An important tool of national governments to influence broad macroeconomic conditions such as unemployment, inflation, and economic growth. Typically, governments alter their monetary policies by changing national interest rates or exchange rates. (Federal Reserve)
Entitlement Program
Government benefits that all citizens meeting eligibility criteria such as age, income level, or unemployment are legally "entitled" to receive. (Social Security)
Circuit Courts (Courts of Appeal)
Review final decisions of district courts. Look for errors in procedures or law. Review decisions of agencies.
Judicial Restrait
philosophy that decisions regarding social, economic and political problems should be left to the other branches of government and states
Writ of Certiorari
Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review
Medicaid
A public assistance program designed to provide healthcare to poor Americans. (Compare to Medicare)
Medicare
A federal program of health insurance for persons 65 years of age and older
Hatch Act
Federal statute barring Federal employees from active participation in certain kinds of politics and protecting them from being fired on partisan grounds.
Section 6
(50 cards)