Congress
This chamber of Congress is designed to represent all states equally.
What is the Senate?
In 1913, Woodrow Wilson began the modern tradition by which presidents use this annual message to Congress + the American public as a tool for agenda-setting.
What is the State of the Union address?
Latin for "let the decision stand" this concept guides the judiciary to rely heavily on precedents.
What is stare decisis?
This metallic shape reflects this relationship between regulators, legislators, and lobbyists.
What is an iron triangle?
In this case, the Court ruled, "one person one vote."
What is Baker v. Carr?
In 2013, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) spoke for 21 hours and 19 minutes in opposition to the Affordable Care Act per this loophole in Senate rules.
What is the filibuster?
The justification for a single executive was outlined in this Federalist Paper. This paper argues that a single, energetic executive is needed to make quicker decisions and be held accountable to the public.
What is Federalist #70?
This Federalist paper set forth the rationale behind an independent judiciary, also stating that the judiciary is the weakest branch because of its inability to act on its rulings.
What is Federalist #78?
The Cuyahoga River caught fire dozens of times before the federal government stepped in. Discretionary and rule-making authority to implement policy are given to bureaucratic agencies, including this agency most responsible for stopping the pollution in that river.
What is the Environmental Protection Agency?
In this case, the Court struck down racially-based gerrymandering.
What is Shaw v. Reno?
This clause has been used by Congress to justify the expansion of its powers beyond what is explicitly stated in Article 1, Section 8. These types of powers are also referred to as implied powers.
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause (end of Article 1, Section 8)
In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt used this implied power to establish relocation centers and detail American citizens.
What is an executive order?
In 1987, this body exercised its constitutional authority in rejecting President Reagan's nomination of Robert Bork to the Supreme Court.
What is the Senate?
Civil Service reform replaced the patronage system with this alternative way to staff government.
What is the merit system?
A representative who votes on bills based only on what their constituents want exemplifies this model of voting
What is the delegate model
These powers are granted to the legislative branch in Article 1, Section 8 by the United States Constitution. These powers include the power to declare war, the power to coin money, the power to regulate interstate commerce, etc.
What is express/enumerated/delegated/explicit powers
Following FDR, this constitutional Amendment limits presidents to 2 terms.
What is the 22nd Amendment?
The Supreme Court's informal power of judicial review stems from where?
What is Marbury v. Madison?
Jimmy Carter tried to cancel superfluous water projects early in his term as president, decrying them as this type of legislation.
What is pork barrell legislation?
This type of Congressional committee is permanent and specialized, meaning its members are experts and efficient.
What is a Standing committee
The committee in the House where all revenue/tax bills originate
What is the Ways and Means committee
This tool is used to make deals with foreign governments without going through the rigorous process of ratifying a treaty.
What is an executive agreement
Explain the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint
Activism: The belief that the role of a justice is to defend individual rights and liberties, even those not explicitly stated in the Constitution.
Restraint: The belief that the role of a justice is to defer decisions (and thus policymaking) to the elected branches of government and stay focused on a narrower interpretation of the Bill of Rights.
Name 2 “checks” that the legislative branch has over the bureaucracy, and 1 check that the executive branch has over the bureaucracy.
Congress:
- Congressional hearings and power of the purse
Executive:
- executive orders and federal appointments
Name four cabinet departments
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Transportation
Department of Veteran Affairs
Department of Education
Department of Health and Human Services