Article I
This Latin term describes a legislative body with two distinct chambers.
Bicameral
Presidential power allowing for the commutation of sentences for federal crimes.
Pardon Power
This is the only court specifically established by the United States Constitution.
The legislative branch check that requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress.
Veto override
This document argued that a large republican government is best for controlling factions.
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The branch of government that houses the federal bureaucracy.
Executive
Model of representation where Reps vote based on their knowledge and judgment.
Trustee
Informal power on display when the President uses media access to shape the public agenda.
Bully Pullpit
The power of a court to review the legal principles of a lower court’s opinion.
Appellate jurisdiction
The landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review.
Marbury v. Madison
Anti-Federalist document that warned a powerful central government would destroy liberty.
Brutus I
The general term used to describe individuals who work within the federal bureaucracy.
Civil servants
Common name for the clause allowing Congress to pass laws for carrying out enumerated powers.
Necessary & Proper
Most presidential power is derived from this specific clause in Article II.
Vesting Clause
This intermediate level of the federal court system consists of 13 total courts.
Courts of Appeals
The power used by Congress to limit the executive branch’s ability to fund specific programs.
Power of the purse
Famous phrase “ambition must be made to counteract ambition” is found in this document.
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These 15 high-level individuals run the major executive departments.
Cabinet
According to the Constitution, these specific types of bills must originate in the House.
Revenue Bills
This is the Senate's specific constitutional check on presidential judicial appointments.
Advise and Consent
Type of case involving a dispute between two parties who cannot reach an agreement.
Civil case
The chamber of Congress that drafts and passes articles of impeachment.
House of Representatives
The author of Federalist No. 78, arguing for an independent judiciary.
Alexander Hamilton
Statistically, this is the largest department in the executive branch.
Department of Defense
This act of Congress limited the president’s powers as commander in chief.
The War Powers Act
The three things for which a federal officer can be legally impeached.
Treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
This Chief Justice wrote the landmark majority opinion in Marbury v. Madison.
John Marshall
The President can use this to appoint officials while the Senate is not in session.
Recess appointment
Federalist No. 10 argues this model of democracy is best served by a large republic.
Pluralistic
Entities like the SEC or FCC that are not within the 15 cabinet departments.
Independent Regulatory Commissions