Vocabulary ONLY
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
Checks and Balances
100

when the president rejects a bill

veto

100

how are the numbers of congress determined for congress?

House -- based on population 

Senate -- equal representation (2 per state)

100

this formal power allows the president to forgive a felon

to pardon criminals

100

For how long can a person be a Supreme Court justice?

for life or until he or she retires or dies

100

What can the judicial branch declare unconstitutional?

laws & presidential actions

200

the power to charge a federal official and punish them for their crime if guilty

impeachment

200
congress will often use this power to control the bureaucracy's ability to do their job

control or pass the budget/power of the purse

200

these groups of people carry the day to day responsibilities of making sure people are following the laws

The Bureaucracy 

200

this serves as an example for future courts

precedent

200

the process by which justices and judges gain their positions

the President selects them and the Senate approves them

300

when justices hold back from using their personal beliefs when making decisions on a case.

judicial restraint

300

when districts are drawn in bizarre ways to benefit a political party

gerrymandering

300

this informal power doesn't require senate approval

executive agreements

300

the case that decided racial gerrymandering was illegal

Shaw v Reno

300

how can congress go around the presidents head when it comes to bills?

gain a 2/3 vote for congress to make it into a law

400

the division of ideas between political parties

party polarization

400

which nomination receives the most pushback/difficulty?

supreme court justices/judges

400

these 3 presidents have been impeached

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

400

when justices decide to retire at a specific time that will be beneficial to them or the country

strategic retirement

400

Congress' way to check the bureaucracy's ability to do their job

through laws/legislation

limiting the budget (power of the purse)

500

when the president uses their authority to pressure congress into taking certain action by speaking to the public

bully pulpit

500

How does the US Census affect the way congress functions?

every 10 years districts are redrawn based on responses and it can change the make-up of the house of representatives (people move or die and seats need to be re-apportioned)

500

the president can nominate these positions

ambassadors, cabinet members, judges, justices

500

why are supreme court cases and rulings extremely important for this country?

options: 

1. Because they can determine the constitutionality of laws or actions

2. because they have final say and are the highest court. their rulings have supremacy over all states and people

500

The checks the judicial branch has on the president

1. declare presidential actions/orders unconstitutional

2. once confirmed judges/justices are free from executive control