Congress (2.1-2.3)
This term refers to the practice of drawing legislative district boundaries to advantage or disadvantage a particular group in an election.
What is gerrymandering? (2.3)
This term refers to the president's use of his public platform to promote a legislative or policy agenda.
What is the bully pulpit? (2.4)
This term refers to the judicial branch's power to invalidate unconstitutional and/or illegal actions by the other branches of government.
What is judicial review? (2.8)
This group of fifteen advisors helps the president enforce laws within their respective policy areas. The vice president is also considered a member of this body.
What is the Cabinet? (2.12)
It is the role of the judicial branch to determine what the Constitution permits; the courts may therefore invalidate unconstitutional actions by the other branches or the states.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) - 2.8
All revenue bills must originate in this chamber of Congress.
What is the House of Representatives? (2.1)
Presidents may unilaterally issue these directives to manage the operations of the federal government.
What are executive orders? (2.4)
This term refers to the legal doctrine of following precedent when deciding cases with similar facts as previously decided ones.
What is stare decisis? (2.9)
This is the process by which Congress monitors the executive branch to ensure laws are being properly implemented and enforced.
What is congressional (or "legislative") oversight? (2.14)
An independent judiciary with the power of judicial review ensures the impartial application of laws and holds the other branches of government accountable to the Constitution.
Federalist No. 78 (2.8)
Because this number of votes is required to end a Senate filibuster, most bills are effectively said to require a supermajority to pass the chamber.
What is sixty? (2.2)
Presidents often issue these to inform Congress and the public how they intends to enforce a recently approved law.
What are signing statements? (2.4)
These are the only federal courts with original jurisdiction only.
What are the U.S. district courts? (2.8)
Congress delegates this type of authority to bureaucratic agencies, allowing them to determine how best to enforce and implement federal legislation.
What is discretionary authority? (2.13)
The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment allows federal courts to review legislative district maps to guarantee the principle of “one person, one vote.”
Baker v. Carr (1962)
The Constitution states these two presidential actions require the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
What are presidential appointments (federal judges, Cabinet secretaries, ambassadors, etc.) and negotiating treaties with foreign nations? (2.1)
This constitutional amendment limits the president to two terms in office.
What is the Twenty-Second Amendment? (2.6)
This term describes a judicial philosophy in which judges are more willing to interpret the Constitution broadly and strike down laws or precedents they view as unconstitutional.
What is judicial activism? (2.11)
This term describes the close, mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group.
What is an iron triangle? (2.12)
A single, powerful executive is needed to effectively enforce laws, secure the nation, and protect individual rights.
Federalist No. 70 (2.6)
This category of mandatory federal spending funds programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Funding is automatically provided based on eligibility requirements rather than annual congressional approval.
What is entitlement spending? (2.2)
When a bill does not become law because the president refuses to sign it and ten days pass while Congress is adjourned, the president is said to have used this formal power.
What is a pocket veto? (2.4)
These are the only federal courts with appellate jurisdiction only.
What are the U.S. courts of appeals? (2.8)
These federal agencies are designed to be insulated from direct presidential control and are headed by multi-member boards that regulate specific areas of the economy. (Hint: IRC)
What are independent regulatory commissions? (2.12)
Racial gerrymandering is presumed unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
Shaw v. Reno (1993) - 2.3