A power that is explicitly stated in the Constitution
Enumerated
Power given to the President to forgive or lighten criminal punishment
Pardon
The holding Marbury v Madison established this judicial principle
Judicial Review
Undertakes commercial activities on behalf of the government
Government corporation
Granting favors, giving contracts, or making appointments to office in return for political support
Patronage
This amendment allowed for the direct election of Senators
17th Amendment
the president's ability to use their position as the leader of the country to shape public opinion and to drive the national conversation
Bully Pulpit
"Let the decision stand", deferring to a precedent already established by the court
Stare decisis
The relationship between Congress, Bureaucratic Agencies, and interest groups
Iron triangle
This Supreme Court case established the principle of "one person, one vote"
Baker v Carr
A committee established for a short period of time to deal with a particular issue
Select Committee
List an enumerated power of the President according to the Consitution
Belief of leaving legislation up to other branches and focuses solely on constitutionality of the issue at hand
Judicial restraint
federal agencies created by an act of Congress that are independent of the executive departments
Independent regulatory agencies
It can serve to explain multiple components of government, but is mostly used to explain when Congress and the President are of two different political parties
Divided Government
Cloture
The act sought to restrain the president’s ability to commit U.S. forces overseas by requiring the executive branch to consult with and report to Congress before involving U.S. forces in foreign hostilities.
War Power Act
the notion that the judiciary should interpret the Constitution (including its amendments) in accordance with the understanding of its framers
Original Intent
Provided that federal government jobs be awarded on the basis of merit and that government employees be selected through competitive exams
Pendleton Act of 1883
A legal term meaning "friend of the court". This 'friend' is a person or organization offering the court additional information or perspective about the case.
amicus curiae
A legislator that adheres strictly to the directions and wishes of their constituency
Delegate Model
When a bill fails to become a law because it is not signed by the president, and is unable to return to Congress because it is no longer in session
Pocket Veto
a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review
Writ of Certiorari
Bureaucrats have some power to decide how a law is implemented
Bureaucratic discretion
This unwritten rule is the Supreme Court's practice of granting a petition of review for a case
Rule of Four