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American Government > Module 1 > Flashcards

Module 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

Loose Construction

A

Interpretation of the Constitution allowing federal government to do what’s necessary and proper

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2
Q

Elastic Clause

A

Article 1, Section 8 of Constitution allowing Congress to make all laws that are “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers of the Constitution

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3
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

A

Established Congress’ authority to create a national bank and established the doctrine of implied powers

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4
Q

Implied Powers

A

Inferred from delegated powers, not explicitly stated

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5
Q

Delegated Powers

A

Powers specifically assigned to the national government

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6
Q

Inherent Powers

A

Integral powers to national sovereignty, i.e. declaring war, conscription

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7
Q

Enumerated Powers

A

Congressional powers specifically stated in the Constitution
- Power to impeach
- Power to regulate and discipline
- Habeas Corpus
- No Ex Post Facto Laws
- Power to establish post offices, coin money, taxation, and regulate interstate commerce

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8
Q

Power to Impeach

A

House can pass accusation.
Senate tries impeachments

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9
Q

Power to Regulate & Discipline

A

Includes power of expulsion from Congress (2/3rds vote) and censure

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10
Q

Habeas Corpus

A

Right for a person to be brought before a judge to be explained the charges laid against them.

Cannot be suspended except during wartime or insurrection.

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11
Q

Ex Post Facto Law

A

Making an act illegal after it has already been performed

Impossible for Congress to do

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12
Q

Article 1, Section 8

A

Gives Congress ability to:
- tax
- establish post offices
- coin money
- regulate interstate commerce

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13
Q

Article 1, Section 7

A

Gives Congress power to raise revenue.

Bills to do so must start in the House

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14
Q

Income Tax

A

Tax levied on income

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15
Q

Payroll Tax

A

Flat tax matched by employers for Social Security and Medicare

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16
Q

Sales Tax

A

State and local level, not federal

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17
Q

Sin Tax

A

Levied on items such as alcohol and tobacco

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18
Q

Estate Tax

A

Levied on property after death

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19
Q

Deficit/Public Debt

A

Government spending exceeds government revenues

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20
Q

Budget Process

A

1) President submits budget for each fiscal year (Oct. 1 - Sep. 30)

2) Congressional Budget Office manages the budget process

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21
Q

Gramm-Rudman Act (1984)

A

Aimed to reduce the national debt

Failed

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22
Q

Budget Enforcement Act (1990)

A

Defined mandatory and discretionary spending.

Introduced a pay-as-you-go system

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23
Q

Balanced Budget Act (1997)

A

Led to paying down deficit, resulted in budget surplus

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24
Q

House of Representatives

A

435 members

Population proportional representation by state

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25
Speaker of the House
Selected by majority party in the House of Representatives. 2nd in line to presidency after VP
26
Whips
Keep party leader informed of party members' thoughts on certain bills. In charge of determining what the likely vote will be on controversial issues. Both majority and minority parties of House & Senate elect a whip
27
Senate
100 members 2 senators per state
28
Vice President
President of the Senate Casts tie-breaking votes
29
President Pro Tempore
Technically 3rd in line for the presidency after Speaker Selected by majority party. Typically goes to longest serving member. Largely honorific.
30
Permanent Committees
Assist in legislative duties, both chambers have ~20 each
31
Select Committees
Formed for temporary matters
32
Ways & Means Committee
Appropriates federal funding
33
House Rules Committee
Limits debate time, determines bill amendments
34
Appropriations Committee
Allocates federal funds
35
Armed Services, Judiciary, & Veteran's Affairs Committees
Present in both chambers
36
Budget & Accounting Act
Requires President to submit a budget to Congress
37
Article 2 of the Constitution
Outlines the Executive Branch (President)
38
Presidential Requirements
- Born in the US - At least 35 years old - Takes oath of office
39
Dual Role of President
President is both Head of State & Commander in Chief
40
Electoral College
Group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
41
Presidential Powers
- Commander in Chief - Pardons - Foreign Policy - Executive Orders - Veto Power - Executive Privilege - Appointments
42
Commander in Chief
Citizen as head of armed forces
43
Presidential Pardons
Can grant pardons except in cases of impeachment
44
Foreign Policy
President can receive ambassadors, recognize foreign governments, and negotiate treaties (with Senate consent)
45
Executive Orders
Have the rule of law if courts do not override
46
Veto Power
President able to veto acts of Congress
47
Executive Privelage
President may withhold information from Congress, judiciary system, and general public
48
Appointments
President may choose members of cabinet, ambassadors, and federal judges (with Senate confirmation)
49
Presidential Term Limits
22nd Amendment (1951) limits presidents to 2 terms
50
Vice President
President of the Senate Originally chosen by 2nd most Electoral College votes, changed by 12th Amendment
51
25th Amendment
Addresses Presidential succession and inability
52
25th Amendment, Section 1
VP becomes President upon death, removal, or resignation by President
53
25th Amendment, Section 2
President appoints new VP with Congressional approval
54
25th Amendment, Section 3
President can declare inability, VP acts as President
55
25th Amendment, Section 4
VP and majority of Cabinet can declare president's inability
56
First Lady
- Wife of the President - Advocates for President - No Constitutional role - Often takes on specific causes (Eleanor Roosevelt: UN Ambassador; Jackie Kennedy: White House Refurbishment; Hillary Clinton: Healthcare; Laura Bush: Childhood Literacy; Michelle Obama: Women's Rights)
57
Bureaucracy
System of government where most decisions are made by state officials rather than elected representatives
58
Administrative Discretion
Ability of agencies to interpret the law and set new policy
59
Patronage
Awarding government jobs to political supporters
60
Pendleton Civil Service Act (1833)
Legislation that established a merit-based system for federal employment
61
Civil Service Exam
Exam required for certain government jobs to ensure merit-based hiring
62
Hatch Act (1939)
Legislation that restricted political activities of civil servants
63
General Schedule
Pay scale for federal employees, with 15 levels and 10 steps in each level
64
Great Depression
Economic crisis of 1930s, led to increased demand for social services
65
Office of War Information (1942)
Created by FDR during WWII, disbanded on 1945
66
Selective Service Administration
Agency responsible for keeping track of military eligibility
67
National Archives and Record Administration
Agency responsible for preserving important documents
68
Privatization
Turning government functions over to the private sector
69
US Postal Service
Government agency responsible for mail delivery
70
Deregulation
Reducing government regulations
71
Devolution
Transferring government functions to the states
72
Cabinet
Senior government officials chosen by the President to lead executive departments
73
Department of Homeland Security (2002)
Federal department created in response to the 9/11 attacks
74
Independent Executive Agencies
Agencies that report directly to the President but focus on specific tasks
75
Federal Reserve
Provides financial services and operates the nation's payment systems
76
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Agency focused on protecting the environment
77
Regulatory Agencies
Agencies that control the benefits and costs of industrialization
78
Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC)
Regulatory agency that oversees securities transactions
79
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)
Regulatory agency created to control the railroads
80
Government Corporations
Corporations established by the government to manage specific services (Amtrack)
81
iron Triangle
Relationship between congressional committees, interest groups, and the bureaucracy
82
Revolving Door
Movement of individuals between government positions and private sector lobbying

American Government (1 decks)

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