midterm
Inherent powers
Term
1 / 65Inherent powers
The powers of the national government in foreign affairs that the Supreme Court has declared do not depend on constitutional grants but rather grow out of the very existence of the national government
Oversight
Congressional review of the activities of an executive agency, department, or office.
Motion for cloture
Term
11 / 65Motion for cloture
A motion requiring 60 senate votes to bring a filibuster to a quick end
lame duck period
The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president ser
Amicus curiae
a Latin term meaning "friend of the court." Refers to interested groups or individuals, not directly involved in a suit, who may file legal briefs or oral arguments in support of one side
Grassroots lobbying
Ordinary citizens raising awareness for a cause and pushing the government to adopt a particular policy
Dealignment
Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents.
Super PAC
a political group that has come into existence as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission and is permitted to raise unlimited funds from any source for the purpose of influencing elections
Midterm election
Elections held midway between presidential elections.
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)
Caucus
a meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.
Fiscal policy
Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing
and spending
federalism
A system of government in which power is distributed among certain geographical territories rather than concentrated within a central government.
Franking privilege
Term
18 / 65Franking privilege
Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail letters and other materials postage-free
Horse race journalism
Term
23 / 65Horse race journalism
Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.
Block grants
Term
4 / 65Block 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
General election
an election held to choose which candidate will hold office
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)
Lobbying
A strategy by which organized interests seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of the legislature
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
Mandatory spending
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.
Closed primary
A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
expressed powers
Powers directly stated in the constitution
Party polarization
Term
20 / 65Party polarization
The tendency of the Democratic party to take more liberal positions and the Republican party to take more conservative positions on key issues
Issue network (iron triangle)
Relationships among interest groups, congressional committees and subcommittees, and the government agencies that share a common policy concern.