Required Documents
A governing document that created a union of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the national government, were supreme.
Articles of Confederation
A Supreme Court decision that established judicial review over federal laws.
Marbury v. Madison
The leader of the House of Representatives, chosen by an election of its members.
Speaker of the House
A two-house legislature.
Bicameral
A slowdown or halt in Congress's ability to legislate and overcome divisions, especially those based on partisanship.
Gridlock
An essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny.
Federalist 51
This concept was cited in McCullogh v. Maryland stating Federal law overruled state law
The Supremacy Clause
Grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.
commerce clause
A member of Congress, chosen by his or her party members, whose job is to ensure party unity and discipline.
Whip
Federal requirements that states must follow without being provided with funding.
Unfunded mandate
Reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.
Tenth Amendment
In US v. Lopez, Lopez lost his case because having a gun in a school zone was not considered to be what?
Interstate commerce
Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.
Enumerated or Expressed powers
Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies.
Bully Pulpit
A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.
Pluralist Democracy
Argument by Alexander Hamilton that the federal judiciary would be unlikely to infringe upon rights and liberties but would serve as a check on the other two branches.
Federalist 78
The decision or outcome of a case is often called what?
The holding
This chamber has the power of advice and consent
The Senate
A judicial decision that guides future courts in handling similar cases.
Precedent
The power of Congress to hold hearings and review, monitor, and supervise federal agencies, programs, activities, and policy implementation.
Oversight
In this doc, Madison argues a strong federal government can protect liberty because it guards against the dangers of control by a narrow interest or "faction."
Federalist 10
The name of the case that gave Corporations the right to Freedom of Speech
Citizens United v. FEC
Who has the power to declare war?
According to the US Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war; this power is explicitly stated in Article I, Section 8, Clause 11.
Legislation that directs specific funds to projects within districts or states.
Pork-Barrel Spending
A procedure through which senators can end a filibuster or debate on a bill and proceed to action, provided 60 senators agree to it.
Cloture