PSC Test 3 Study Guide

Question 1

Advice & Consent of the Senate

Answer 1

A constitutional requirement that the Senate must approve certain executive appointments (like judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members) and treaties made by the President. The Senate has the power to approve or reject these appointments.

Question 2

Amicus Curiae

Answer 2

A Latin term meaning “friend of the court.” It refers to a person or group who is not a party to a case but is allowed to offer information, expertise, or insight that may help the court in making its decision.

Question 3

Appellate Jurisdiction

Answer 3

The authority of a court to review and potentially modify the decision of a lower court. Appellate courts do not hold trials but instead focus on whether the law was applied correctly in the original case.

Question 4

Apportionment

Answer 4

The process of determining how many representatives each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives based on population. This is done after every census (every 10 years).

Question 5

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 5

A legislature with two chambers or houses. In the U.S., this refers to the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress.

Question 6

Bureaucracy

Answer 6

The administrative system of government that implements and enforces laws and policies. It includes agencies, departments, and organizations staffed by non-elected officials.

Question 7

Cabinet

Answer 7

A group of high-ranking officials in the executive branch of government, typically consisting of heads of major departments (e.g., Defense, State, Treasury) who advise the President and help implement policies.

Question 8

Casework

Answer 8

The tasks or services a member of Congress provides to constituents, such as helping individuals navigate government programs, resolving issues with federal agencies, or assisting with legal matters.

Question 9

Commander in Chief

Answer 9

A role given to the President of the United States by the Constitution, which makes the President the supreme leader of the nation’s armed forces.

Question 10

Conference Committee

Answer 10

A temporary joint committee created to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill. After reconciling the versions, they create a final version to be sent to both chambers for approval.

Question 11

Congressional Authority Over Bureaucracy

Answer 11

The power Congress has to oversee and regulate the executive branch’s agencies, ensuring they implement laws and policies according to legislative intent. This includes confirming appointments, funding decisions, and holding hearings.

Question 12

Congressional Organization of Judiciary:

Answer 12

Refers to the structure and function of the judicial system as organized by Congress, including the establishment of courts, creating jurisdiction, and setting procedures.

Question 13

Congressional Oversight

Answer 13

The process by which Congress reviews and monitors the actions of the executive branch, ensuring that laws and policies are implemented correctly. It includes hearings, investigations, and audits.

Question 14

Court of Original Jurisdiction

Answer 14

A court where a case is first heard and decided, rather than an appellate court that reviews cases from lower courts.

Question 15

Executive Agreement

Answer 15

An agreement between the President and a foreign government that does not require Senate approval, unlike a treaty. It is often used for routine matters or areas that don’t involve a change in law.

Question 16

Executive Orders

Answer 16

Directives issued by the President that have the force of law. They typically manage operations of the federal government or direct specific agencies to take action on particular issues.

Question 17

Executive Privilege

Answer 17

The President’s right to withhold certain information from Congress, the courts, and the public, typically on matters related to national security or sensitive executive branch deliberations.

Question 18

Expressed Powers

Answer 18

Powers that are explicitly granted to the President, Congress, or another branch of government by the Constitution. For example, the President’s power to veto bills or Congress’s power to levy taxes.

Question 19

Filibuster

Answer 19

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or prevent a vote on a bill by speaking for an extended period. It can be ended by a cloture vote, which requires a supermajority (typically 60 votes).

Question 20

Gerrymandering

Answer 20

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. This often involves drawing districts to either pack opponents into a few districts or spread them out across many districts to dilute their vote.

Question 21

Impeachment

Answer 21

The process by which a sitting President, Vice President, or other federal officials can be removed from office for committing “high crimes and misdemeanors.” The House of Representatives votes to impeach, and the Senate holds the trial.

Question 22

Incumbent Advantage

Answer 22

The advantages held by current officeholders (incumbents) in elections, such as name recognition, access to campaign finance, and experience. Incumbents are often more likely to be re-elected than challengers.

Question 23

Incumbents

Answer 23

Incumbents: Individuals who currently hold a political office or position.

Question 24

Judicial Activism

Answer 24

A judicial philosophy where judges make decisions based on their personal views or social/political considerations rather than strictly interpreting the law or adhering to precedent. It is often associated with judges making bold decisions to shape public policy.

Question 25

Judicial Restraint

Answer 25

A judicial philosophy where judges avoid making decisions that could be seen as legislating from the bench. They focus on interpreting the Constitution and laws based on the original intent and avoid striking down laws unless they are clearly unconstitutional.

Question 26

Judicial Review

Answer 26

The power of courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative acts and executive actions. This power was established by the landmark case Marbury v. Madison (1803) and allows courts to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution.

Question 27

Oral Arguments

Answer 27

Verbal presentations made by lawyers in front of a court, typically in appellate courts. Attorneys argue the merits of their case, respond to questions from judges, and try to persuade the court to rule in their favor.

Question 28

Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act

Answer 28

A law passed in 1883 that established the U.S. Civil Service Commission and mandated that federal government jobs be awarded based on merit rather than political connections. This helped reduce patronage and corruption in government hiring.

Question 29

Pork Barrel Legislation

Answer 29

Legislation that is passed to benefit a specific district or state, typically by funding local projects or earmarks that serve the interests of constituents in exchange for political support.

Question 30

President of the Senate

Answer 30

A role typically held by the Vice President of the United States. The President of the Senate has the ceremonial duty of presiding over Senate sessions and casts tie-breaking votes when necessary.

Question 31

Presidential Appointments

Answer 31

The power of the President to appoint individuals to key positions in the executive branch, judicial branch, and other important offices, subject to confirmation by the Senate (e.g., cabinet members, federal judges).

Question 32

Presidential Authority Over Bureaucracy

Answer 32

The President's ability to oversee and direct the actions of federal agencies and departments. This includes appointing key agency heads, issuing executive orders, and setting the policy agenda for bureaucratic agencies.

Question 33

Redistricting

Answer 33

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically done every 10 years following the U.S. Census, to ensure equal representation based on population changes. This can be influenced by political considerations (e.g., gerrymandering).

Question 34

Rulemaking

Answer 34

The process by which government agencies create, amend, or repeal regulations. This process allows agencies to implement and enforce laws passed by Congress.

Question 35

Rules Committee

Answer 35

A powerful committee in the House of Representatives that determines the rules for debate on a bill, including how much time will be allocated for discussion and whether amendments can be made. It plays a significant role in the legislative process.

Question 36

Select Committee

Answer 36

A temporary committee created for a specific purpose, often to investigate an issue or oversee a particular function. Unlike standing committees, select committees are not permanent.

Question 37

Size of Bureaucracy

Answer 37

Refers to the number of employees and agencies within the federal government responsible for implementing laws and regulations. The size of the bureaucracy can increase over time as government responsibilities grow.

Question 38

Speaker of the House

Answer 38

The presiding officer of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Speaker is responsible for maintaining order, presiding over debates, and overseeing the legislative process. The Speaker is elected by House members and is second in line to the presidency after the Vice President.

Question 39

Standing Committee

Answer 39

A permanent committee in Congress that deals with specific policy areas (e.g., finance, defense, agriculture). Standing committees review and amend proposed legislation within their jurisdiction and conduct hearings.

Question 40

Stare Decisis

Answer 40

A legal principle that means "let the decision stand." It refers to the practice of courts following previous rulings (precedent) when making decisions in similar cases, ensuring consistency and stability in the law.

Question 41

State of the Union

Answer 41

An annual address delivered by the President to Congress, outlining the administration's legislative agenda, priorities, and policy goals for the coming year. It’s mandated by the Constitution.

Question 42

Veto

Answer 42

The President’s constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, but vetoes are a powerful tool in shaping legislation.

Question 43

Whips

Answer 43

Party leaders in both the House and Senate whose role is to ensure party discipline, count votes, and persuade members to support the party's positions on legislation. They act as a liaison between party leadership and rank-and-file members.

Question 44

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 44

A legal order issued by an appellate court (typically the Supreme Court) to review a lower court’s decision. It is used when a higher court agrees to hear a case. A party seeking review files a petition for certiorari, and the court decides whether to grant it.