Vocabulary ONLY
when the president rejects a bill
veto
how are the numbers of congress determined for congress?
House -- based on population
Senate -- equal representation (2 per state)
this formal power allows the president to forgive a felon
to pardon criminals
For how long can a person be a Supreme Court justice?
for life or until he or she retires or dies
What can the judicial branch declare unconstitutional?
laws & presidential actions
the power to charge a federal official and punish them for their crime if guilty
impeachment
control or pass the budget/power of the purse
these groups of people carry the day to day responsibilities of making sure people are following the laws
The Bureaucracy
this serves as an example for future courts
precedent
the process by which justices and judges gain their positions
the President selects them and the Senate approves them
when justices hold back from using their personal beliefs when making decisions on a case.
judicial restraint
when districts are drawn in bizarre ways to benefit a political party
gerrymandering
this informal power doesn't require senate approval
executive agreements
the case that decided racial gerrymandering was illegal
Shaw v Reno
how can congress go around the presidents head when it comes to bills?
gain a 2/3 vote for congress to make it into a law
the division of ideas between political parties
party polarization
which nomination receives the most pushback/difficulty?
supreme court justices/judges
these 3 presidents have been impeached
Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump
when justices decide to retire at a specific time that will be beneficial to them or the country
strategic retirement
Congress' way to check the bureaucracy's ability to do their job
through laws/legislation
limiting the budget (power of the purse)
when the president uses their authority to pressure congress into taking certain action by speaking to the public
bully pulpit
How does the US Census affect the way congress functions?
every 10 years districts are redrawn based on responses and it can change the make-up of the house of representatives (people move or die and seats need to be re-apportioned)
the president can nominate these positions
ambassadors, cabinet members, judges, justices
why are supreme court cases and rulings extremely important for this country?
options:
1. Because they can determine the constitutionality of laws or actions
2. because they have final say and are the highest court. their rulings have supremacy over all states and people
The checks the judicial branch has on the president
1. declare presidential actions/orders unconstitutional
2. once confirmed judges/justices are free from executive control