Vocabulary 1
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.
What is the other type of grants?
A 1920 constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote.
19th Amendment
The president's ability to influence public opinion and push policy agendas using media and speeches.
Bully Pulpit
he United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes." Courts and commentators have tended to discuss each of these three areas of commerce as a separate power granted to Congress.
Commerce Clause
1962 case establishing "one person, one vote," requiring equal population in legislative districts, impacting redistricting.
Baker v. Carr
A Senate procedure requiring 60 votes to end debate on a bill and overcome a filibuster, allowing a vote.
Cloture Vote
Reaffirmed that framers' plan to create a limited federal government. It states that all powers not given to the national government or denied to the states are reserved for states or for the people.
10th Amendment
Prevents evidence collected in violation of a defendant's constitutional rights (primarily the Fourth Amendment) from being used in criminal prosecutions.
Exclusionary Rule
Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3) setting forth the implied powers of Congress. It states that Congress, in addition to its express powers has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.
Necessary and Proper Clause
1993 case ruling racial gerrymandering unconstitutional unless justified by compelling government interest under strict scrutiny.
Shaw v. Reno
Laws that direct government funds to local projects to benefit a legislator's district, often to gain political support.
Pork Barrel Legislation
Affirms the citizenship of all persons born or naturalized in the United States and includes equal protection under the law.
14th Amendment
Members of Congress use their best judgment to make policy in the interests of the people.
Trustee Model
Clause in the First Amendment that says the government may not establish an official religion.
Establishment Clause
1803 case establishing judicial review, allowing courts to strike down unconstitutional laws.
Marbury v. Madision
A legislative practice where lawmakers exchange votes to secure passage of each other's favored bills or projects.
Logrolling
U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed
15th Amendment
The policy-making relationship between congressional committees, bureaucracies, and interest groups.
Iron Triangles
A clause in the Fourteenth Amendment used to protect the civil rights of Americans from discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, gender, and other characteristics.
Equal Protection Clause
1954 - The Supreme Court overruled Plessy v. Ferguson, declared that racially segregated facilities are inherently unequal and ordered all public schools desegregated.
Brown v. Board of Education
Political stalemate where government action is blocked due to divided control, partisan conflict, or inability to compromise.
Gridlock
(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve
25th Amendment
A policy designed to address the consequences of previous discrimination by providing special consideration to individuals based on characteristics such as race or gender.
Affirmative Action
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." States that the constitution is the supreme law of the land, and can override any state laws.
Supremacy Clause
First Amendment/Freedom of the Press - New York Times and Washington Post could print the Pentagon Papers without risk of government censorship or punishment
NYT v. US