Vocab
A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses
Bicameral
A permanent committee established in a legislature, usually focusing on a policy area
Standing committee
The presiding officer of the House of Representatives
Speaker of the house
Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature
Veto
A court having jurisdiction to review cases and issues that were originally tried in lower courts.
Appellate Court
When one party controls one or more houses in the legislative branch while the other party controls the executive branch.
divided government
A periodic and official count of a country's population.
Census
Gridlock
When the government is unable to reach compromises or make policy decisions.
Groups of appointed for a limited purpose and limited duration
Select committee
President of the Senate
Vice President
president's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days
Pocket veto
Authority of court to review a decision of a lower court or administrative agency.
Appellate Jurisdiction
Federal funds appropriated by Congress for use on local projects
Earmarks
the power that allows a president to refuse to release information to Congress or a court
executive privilege
An arrangement in which two or more members of Congress agree in advance to support each other's bills
Logrolling
Committee made up of members of both house of Congress-housekeeping issues decided
Joint committee
Serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the VP; chosen by the majority party
President pro tempore
The power to go public, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements, create & use bureaucracy, personality and leadership, and make legislative proposals.
Informal Presidential Powers
The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws passed by Congress and actions of the executive branch unconstitutional; established by Marbury v. Madison
Judicial Review
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.
mandatory spending
the leaders of the executive departments, who also act as advisers to the president
The Cabinet
The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative's district in order to please constituents and boost the representative's chances of winning reelection.
Pork barrel legislation
An agency's ability to decide whether or not to take certain courses of action when implementing existing laws.
discretionary authority
The elected leader of the party with the most seat in the House of Representatives/Senate
Majority leader
The analysts and advisers to the president, often given the title "special assistant"
White House Staff
A prior judicial decision that serves as a rule for settling cases of a similar nature.
Precedent
And additional provision added to a bill or other measure under the consideration by the legislature, having little connectivity with the subject of the matter of the bill.
Riders
a platform used to publicize and seek support for important issues
Bully Pulpit
the residents in the area from which an official is elected
Constituency
Special joint committee created to reconcile differences in bills passed by the House and Senate
Conference committee
A lengthy speech designed to delay or kill the vote on a bill; used only in the Senate
Filibuster
term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces
Commander in Chief
A judicial opinion agreed to by a majority of the members of a court and an explanation of the rationale behind the court's decision.
Majority opinion
This case established supremacy of the U.S. Constitution and Federal Laws over State Laws. (National Bank)
McCulloch v Maryland (1819)
This case set a limitation on the ability of Congress to use the Commerce Clause to make Federal Law.
United States v. Lopez (1995)
This case ruled that voting districts may be constitutionally challenged by voters if race is the only factor used in creating the district.
Shaw v. Reno (1993)
Committee that has jurisdiction over all taxes, tariff & revenue raising measures
Ways & means
A Senate procedure through which a supermajority of 60 senators can vote to limit the amount of time spent debating a bill and cut off a filibuster.
Cloture
A rule issued by the president that has the force of law
executive order
Represents the U.S. government in court cases
U.S. Attorney
This case opened the door to Equal Protection challenges to redistricting, and led to the development of the "one person, one vote" doctrine.
Baker v. Carr (1962)
Congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that form mutually-beneficial relationships are known as iron triangles.
Iron Triangles