Legislative Branch
a lawmaking body split into two separate chambers
Bicameral legislature
The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it
Veto
The highest federal court of the United States
Supreme Court
the group of non-elected officials who implement policies created by the other branches of government
Federal Bureaucracy
the first U.S. governing framework, used from 1781 to 1789
Articles of Confederation
powers of the federal government that are explicitly named in the Constitution
A group of presidential advisers, including the heads of the executive departments, the attorney general, and other officials chosen by the president
Presidential Cabinet
A legal decision that establishes a rule for similar cases going forward
A relationship between interest groups, congressional committees, and bureaucratic agencies devoted to similar issues
Iron Triangle
Bill of Rights
A tactic used by senators to block a bill by continuing to hold the floor and speak, adhering to the Senate rule of unlimited debate
Filibuster
The president’s unique position as a highly visible national leader, which can be used to attract public attention, shape public opinion, and promote a policy agenda
Bully Pulpit
The public trust in, and willingness to accept the rulings of, the Supreme Court
Legitimacy
An agency’s ability to decide whether or not to take certain courses of action when implementing existing laws
Discretionary Authority
argues for a strong single executive to run the government
Federalist No. 70
The act of changing the boundaries of an electoral district to favor one party over another
An indirect veto, which the president can use by neither signing or vetoing a bill passed by Congress fewer than 10 days before it adjourns
Pocket Veto
The Supreme Court’s power to review whether acts of the legislative branch, the executive branch, and state governments are consistent with the Constitution, and to strike down acts it finds unconstitutional
Judicial Review
An agency’s ability to make rules that affect how programs operate, and to force states and corporations to obey these rules as if they were laws
Rule Making Authority
Court case that established Supreme Court's power of judicial Review
Marbury V Madison
The use of federal funding to finance localized projects, typically bringing money into a representative’s district in order to please constituents and boost the representative’s chances of winning reelection
Pork Barrel Spending
limits to the office of the president to two terms
22nd Amendment
The principle of making legal decisions based on past precedents; From the Latin for “let the decision stand”
Stare Decisis
The permanent, professional branches of government administration
Civil Service
essay that warns about factions
Federalist No. 10