Show:
Building Blocks
Lay Down the Law
Hail to the Chief
Here Come Da' Judges
Link'd In
100
Most responsible for expanding Congress' power
What is Commerce Clause (or Elastic Clause)
100
This taxing committee is the most powerful in the House
What is Ways and Means
100
The President will use this informal power to get people to pressure Congress
What is the "Bully Pulpit"
100
The federal court system's entry point; they handle the most cases
What are District Courts
100
The most important agent of political socialization
What is the family
200
Called for representation in Congress based on population
What is the Virginia Plan
200
Congress holds these to keep an eye on the Executive Branch
What are oversight hearings
200
According to this, the President must bring home troops after 60 days
What is War Powers Resolution
200
Interest groups use these to lobby federal courts
What are amicus curiae briefs
200
This forms when an interest group works with Congress and the bureaucracy
What is an iron triangle
300
These types of grants increase the federal government's power over states
What are categorical grants
300
These types of districts ensure major party rule in Congress
What are single-member districts
300
The President's "gatekeeper," who doesn't need Senate confirmation
What is the Chief of Staff
300
Advocates of this judicial philosophy believe the Court should defer to elected legislatures
What is judicial restraint
300
When voters choose candidates to different parties for President and Congress
What is ticket splitting
400
This principle slows change and encourages compromise
What is checks and balances
400
Largest portion of budget, that Congress can't control
What are entitlements
400
The unelected bureaucracy exerts power by using this when implementing laws
What is administrative discretion
400
When the President defers to members of his party to get a judicial nominee
What is senatorial courtesy
400
Candidates use the media to float these controversial ideas
What are trial balloons
500
This requires states to treat residents of other states as they would their own
What is Privileges and Immunities Clause
500
These are inserted into bills to help legislators get re-elected
What are earmarks (or "pork")
500
The President has problems getting some appointments confirmed due to this recent trend
What is divided government
500
Appellate cases reach the Supreme Court through this document
What is a writ of certiorari
500
Party realignment is a feature of these
What are critical elections