Foundational Docs
Formal separation from Britain, influenced by Enlightenment ideals
Declaration of Independence
Established principle of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison
Article I
This article of the Constitution gives the executive branch its power.
Article II
This article gives the judicial branch its power
Article III
These are the top advisors of the president based on particular policy areas
Cabinet
The first attempt at a constitution in the U.S. that favored strong state rights and a weak central government
Articles of Confederation
Established the supremacy of the US Constitution and federal laws over state laws.
McCulloch v. Maryland
The fraction needed in each house to override a presidential veto
2/3
Agreement a president makes with another nation that does not require Senate approval
Executive agreement
SCOTUS's power to declare a law invalid if it violates the constitution.
Judicial review
Sub-units of Cabinet departments in which the president appoints the head, who is known as a director.
Executive agencies
Defines powers and limits of each branch of government through checks and balances. The supreme law of the land.
Constitution
Congress may not use the Commerce Clause to make possession of a gun in a school zone a federal crime.
US v Lopez
This chamber is responsible for impeachment while this chamber is responsible for an impeachment trial.
House, Senate
Refusal by the president to sign a bill, and Congress adjourns within 10 days of its receipt.
Pocket veto
Bold decisions/holdings that address pressing needs not being addressed by the other branches of government. Freely striking down laws in court.
Judicial activism.
Bureaucratic discretion
Argument against the Constitution that there are too many interests and the government will be too powerful.
Brutus 1
Legislative redistricting must be conscious of race and ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Shaw v. Reno
This type of vote ends a filibuster in the Senate
Cloture
Presidential power of excusing a person from a crime and reducing someone's prison sentence
Pardon and reprieve
Letting elected officials make policy, as framers intended. Upholding most laws unless they very clearly violate the original interpretation of the Constitution
Judicial restraint
Narrow and industry-specific agencies that act as watchdogs and were created to protect the public
Regulatory agencies
Letter that defends breaking the law through nonviolent protests against racial injustices
Opened the door to equal protection challenges to redistricting and established the "one person, one vote" doctrine.
Baker v. Carr
All bills for raising and spending revenue must start in this committee in this chamber.
Ways and Means, House
The stage the president constantly has to get his views out to the public
The bully pulpit
SCOTUS has this only in cases involving 2 or more states, the US government and a state government, and US and foreign ambassadors and diplomats
Original jurisdiction
The coalition of a congressional committee, agency, and interest group is known as what?
Iron triangle