Unit 4 - Part 3

Question 1

Red Tape

Answer 1

Complex rules and procedures required by bureaucratic agencies.

Question 2

Rider (Nongermane Amendment)

Answer 2

Amendment to a bill that has little to do with that bill.

Question 3

Rule of Four

Answer 3

The Supreme Court will hear a case if four Justices agree to do so.

Question 4

Rules Committee

Answer 4

The “traffic cop” of the House that sets the legislative calendar and issues rules for debate on a bill.

Question 5

Select Committee

Answer 5

Established “for a limited time period to perform a particular study or investigation.”

Question 6

Senatorial Courtesy

Answer 6

Tradition in which the President consults with the senators within a state in which an appointment is to be made.

Question 7

Seniority System

Answer 7

Tradition in which the Senator from the majority party with the most years of service on a committee becomes the chairman of that committee.

Question 8

17th Amendment

Answer 8

Broadened democracy by giving the people of the state the right to elect their senators.

Question 9

Signing Statement

Answer 9

Explain their interpretation of a bill, their understanding of what is expected of them to carry it out, or just a commentary on the law.

Question 10

Spoils System

Answer 10

See Patronage

Question 11

Standing Committees

Answer 11

The permanent congressional committees that handle legislation.

Question 12

Stare Decisis

Answer 12

Latin for “let the decision stand.” Supreme Court policy of following precedent in deciding cases.

Question 13

Sunset Laws

Answer 13

Laws that automatically expire after a given time.

Question 14

Sunshine Act

Answer 14

Requires most federal agencies to hold their meetings in publicly accessibly places.

Question 15

Trustee Model

Answer 15

Representatives believe they are entrusted by their constituency to use their best judgement, regardless of how constituents may view an issue.

Question 16

12th Amendment

Answer 16

Electors vote for president and for vice president

Question 17

20th Amendment

Answer 17

Inauguration date moved from March 4 to January 20

Question 18

22nd Amendment

Answer 18

Limits a president’s tenure to two terms or ten years

Question 19

23rd Amendment

Answer 19

Awards electors to the District of Colombia

Question 20

25th Amendment

Answer 20

Vice president assumes presidential duties if the president if incapacitated or disabled.

Question 21

Veto

Answer 21

The chance to reject a congressional bill

Question 22

War Powers Act

Answer 22

Maintains the president’s need for urgent action and defense of the United States while preserving the war-declaring authority of Congress.

Question 23

Ways and Means Committee

Answer 23

House committee that handles tax bills.

Question 24

Whip

Answer 24

Deputy floor leader in charge of party discipline.

Question 25

Whistleblower

Answer 25

An employee who exposes unethical or illegal conduct within the federal government or one of its contractors.

Question 26

White House Staff

Answer 26

Presidents immediate staff of specialists and do not require Senate approval.

Question 27

Writ of Certiorari

Answer 27

Issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up the records of a case so that it can be reviewed by the high court.

Question 28

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Answer 28

Court order that the authorities show cause for why they are holding a prisoner in custody. Deters unlawful imprisonment.

Question 29

Writ of Mandamus

Answer 29

Court order directing a party to perform a certain action.