SCOTUS Cases & Federalist Papers
This Federalist Paper argues that a strong, energetic executive is necessary to ensure effective governance and prevent instability.
What is Federalist No. 70?
This is the chamber of Congress where the number of seats each state holds is based on population.
What is the House of Representatives?
This power allows the President to reject a bill, preventing it from becoming law, unless overridden by Congress.
What is a Veto?
This article of the U.S. Constitution establishes the judicial branch of the federal government.
What is Article III?
This term refers to the constitutional principle that ensures each citizen’s vote carries the same weight in congressional elections, often influencing district boundaries.
What is One Person, One Vote?
This Federalist Paper, written by Alexander Hamilton, discusses the importance of an independent judiciary and the power of judicial review.
What is Federalist No. 78?
This term refers to the ability of senators to delay or block legislation through extended speaking.
What is a Filibuster?
This type of veto occurs when the President does not sign a bill into law within 10 days while Congress is adjourned.
What is a Pocket Veto?
This legal principle asserts that courts should follow past decisions and not disturb settled law unless necessary.
What is Precedent?
This role involves directing the policy agenda of the House, and the person who holds this position is third in line for the presidency.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
This 1803 case established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
These are the powers that are explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as the power to tax and declare war.
What are Enumerated Powers?
This term refers to an agreement between the President and a foreign nation, bypassing the need for Senate ratification.
What is an Executive Agreement?
The Senate is responsible for this process when a President nominates someone for a judicial or executive branch position.
What is Confirmation?
This committee controls the flow of bills to the floor in the House of Representatives, determining which bills get debated and voted on.
What is the Rules Committee?
In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that legislative apportionment issues present justiciable questions, allowing federal courts to intervene in cases of malapportionment.
What is Baker v. Carr?
This is the action needed to end a filibuster in the Senate, requiring 60 votes.
What is Cloture?
This informal power allows the President to use their position to promote their policy agenda directly to the public.
What is the Bully Pulpit?
This term describes a judicial philosophy where judges may interpret the Constitution in a way that reflects contemporary values or societal needs.
What is Judicial Activism?
This practice in Congress involves drawing district boundaries to favor one political party, often leading to unbalanced representation.
What is Gerrymandering?
This 1993 Supreme Court case challenged the constitutionality of racially gerrymandered districts, leading to a ruling that districts cannot be drawn with race as the primary factor unless there is a compelling reason.
What is Shaw v. Reno?
This is the process of adjusting congressional districts to reflect population changes, typically done after the decennial census.
What is Redistricting?
These are the powers of the President that are not explicitly listed in the Constitution but are necessary to carry out the duties of the office.
What are Informal Powers?
This type of court decision is made when a court hears cases that have already been ruled upon in lower courts.
What is Appellate Jurisdiction?
This action occurs after the census, adjusting the number of House seats each state gets based on changes in population.
What is Reapportionment?