Constitution
This constitutional principle limits the power of the national government by restricting its authority.
Limited Government
This chamber of Congress originates all revenue bills.
House of Representatives
This presidential power allows the president to formally reject a bill passed by Congress.
Veto
This landmark case established the power of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison
This authority allows agencies to make rules that carry the force of law.
Rulemaking
They can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
Congress
This founding document created a weak national government with no power to tax or enforce laws.
Articles of Confederation
This part of the Constitution establishes the powers and responsibilities of the executive branch.
Article II
This Senate procedure allows members to delay or block a vote by speaking for an extended period.
Filibuster
This formal power gives the president leadership over the U.S. military.
Commander-in-Chief
These federal courts sit between district courts and the Supreme Court and review cases on appeal.
NASA and the EPA are examples of this type of bureaucratic organization.
Federal Agencies
This branch is given the advice and consent power and must approve presidential appointments to federal courts.
Senate
This uprising showed the national government could not maintain public order under the Articles.
Shay's Rebellion
This part of the Constitution establishes the structure, powers, and jurisdiction of the federal judiciary.
Article III
This chamber of Congress has the constitutional power to try impeachment cases and vote on whether to remove federal officials from office.
The Senate
These written statements allow the president to comment on how they interpret or plan to enforce a law.
Signing Statements
This foundational Federalist Paper argued that the judiciary is the weakest branch because it lacks enforcement power.
Federalist 78
These presidential directives instruct executive agencies how to enforce laws and run programs.
Executive Orders
This branch can declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.
Judicial Branch
These powers are shared by both state governments and the national government.
Concurrent Powers
This clause in Article VI establishes that federal law overrides conflicting state laws.
Supremacy Clause
These are responsible for drawing the boundaries of congressional districts.
State Legislatures
These international agreements made by the president do not require Senate approval.
Executive Agreements
This type of jurisdiction allows a court to hear a case first, before any other court reviews it.
Original Jurisdiction
Congress uses these sessions to question agency leaders and ensure laws are being carried out correctly.
Oversight Hearings
This chamber can impeach officials in the executive or judicial branches. This chamber can remove officials in the executive or judicial branches.
House, Senate
This principle divides government into three branches, each with its own powers and functions.
Separation of Powers
This clause in Article I, Section 8 allows Congress to pass laws needed to carry out its enumerated powers.
Necessary and Proper Clause
These congressional groups handle most of the detailed work of lawmaking and oversight.
Standing Committees
This informal power allows the president to use media attention and public visibility to influence policy.
Bully Pulpit
These two Supreme Court cases established that courts can review redistricting and that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.
Shaw v. Reno, Baker v. Carr
This concept describes the ability of agencies to decide how to enforce and implement laws when Congress leaves details open.
Discretionary Authority
This legislative power allows Congress to restrict or shape executive and bureaucratic actions by deciding how federal money is allocated.
Power of the Purse
This principle states that the people are the ultimate source of government power.
Popular Sovereignty