Capitol Hill Power Plays
In order to override a presidential veto, Congress must approve the bill again by this margin in both chambers.
What is a two-thirds vote?
This presidential power allows the chief executive to reject a bill passed by Congress.
What is the veto?
This principle allows courts to review and invalidate actions of the legislative and executive branches.
What is judicial review?
This document outlines the structure of government, enumerated powers, and checks and balances.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
This foundational document argued for separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
What is Federalist No. 51?
This constitutional clause gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)?
This constitutional role designates the president as head of the armed forces.
What is Commander in Chief?
Article III establishes this court as the only federal court specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
What is the Supreme Court?
This case upheld Congress’s implied powers under the Necessary and Proper Clause and reinforced federal supremacy.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?
In this document, Madison argues that a large republic can better control factions.
What is Federalist No. 10?
This type of congressional committee reconciles differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.
What is a conference committee?
This model of bureaucracy argues that agencies work closely with interest groups and congressional committees.
What is the iron triangle?
This legal concept requires courts to follow precedent when deciding similar cases.
What is stare decisis?
In Baker v. Carr (1962), the Court held that legislative redistricting issues were justiciable under this clause.
What is the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment?
In this document, Hamilton argued that energy in the executive (a unitary executive) was essential for an effective executive.
This oversight power allows Congress to remove the president, vice president, or federal judges for “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
What is impeachment?
This federal office assists the president in overseeing the executive branch and includes OMB and the National Security Council.
What is the Executive Office of the President (EOP)?
This power gives the Supreme Court authority to hear cases involving ambassadors or disputes between states first.
What is original jurisdiction?
This case established judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison (1803)?
This document criticized the lack of individual liberties protections in the proposed Constitution.
What is Brutus No. 1?
This Senate rule allows 60 senators to end the filibuster.
What is cloture?
These presidential powers are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are derived from tradition, political influence, and access to the media, including the use of the bully pulpit to shape the national agenda.
What are informal powers?
This standard of review is used when laws classify based on race or infringe on fundamental rights.
What is strict scrutiny?
In Shaw v. Reno (1993), the Court ruled that congressional districts drawn primarily on this basis are subject to strict scrutiny.
What is race?
In this document, Hamilton argued for judicial review and an independent judiciary.
What is Federalist No. 78?