vocab

Question 1

Amicus Curiae Briefs

Answer 1

Legal documents from non-parties offering information to the court

Question 2

District Courts

Answer 2

Federal Trial courts where cases are initially heard

Question 3

Court of appeals

Answer 3

Intermediate courts reviewing decisions from lower district courts

Question 4

Senatorial courtesy

Answer 4

A tradition of agreement among senators not to vote for any presidential nominee who is opposed by the senators from the nominee’s home state

Question 5

Opinion

Answer 5

A formal explanation issued be a court outlining the rationale behind its decision on a particular case, serving as a guide for future cases

Question 6

Solicitor general

Answer 6

The lawyer who represents the fed gov before the Supreme Court

Question 7

Federalist 78

Answer 7

Hamilton’s essay advocation for an independent judiciary’s importance.
The main argument was that the fed courts have the duty to determine whether acts of Congress are constitutional and to follow the Constitution when there is inconsistency.

Question 8

Judicial implementation

Answer 8

Process of enforcing court decisions, carried out by gov agencies and officials

Question 9

Bureaucracy

Answer 9

A structure administrative system in gov responsible for implementing policies and regulation characterized by hierarchical organization

Question 10

Patronage

Answer 10

Granting jobs based on political support

Question 11

Pendelton Civil Service Act

Answer 11

Law establishing merit-based fed employment

Question 12

Civil service system/merit principle

Answer 12

Hiring based on qualification rather than politics

Question 13

Hatch Act

Answer 13

A fed law that restricts the political activities of federal employees to maintain a nonpartisan civil service and prevent political influence in gov operations

Question 14

Expenditures

Answer 14

The total amount of money spent by the gov in a given period, which includes both mandatory and discretionary spending.

Question 15

Entitlements

Answer 15

Gov programs that provide financial benefits or services to individuals such as Social Security or Medicare

Question 16

House Ways and Means Committee

Answer 16

The committee in the House responsible for drafting tax legislation and overseeing revenue related matters

Question 17

Congressional Budget Office

Answer 17

A nonpartisan agency that provides economic data and analysis to assist Congress in budgetary decision

Question 18

Authorization bill

Answer 18

Legislation that establishes or continues a gov program, setting its funding limits and guiding its operation

Question 19

Appropriations bill

Answer 19

A law that specifies how much money will be allocated to various gov agencies and programs

Question 20

Continuing resolutions

Answer 20

temporary funding measures passed by congress to keep the gov operating when formal appropriations bills have not been enacted

Question 21

22nd Ammendment

Answer 21

limits presidential terms to two

Question 22

25th ammendment

Answer 22

Clarifies that the VP becomes president if president dies, resigns, or is removed from office by impeachment.

Question 23

Veto and Pocket Veto

Answer 23

A veto is the president’s rejection of a bill, while a pocket veto occurs when the president does not sign a bill within ten days, allowing it to expire.

Question 24

Presidential coattails

Answer 24

A political phenomenon where a popular president helps candidates from their party win elections for other offices, benefiting from the president’s popularity.

Question 25

Executive order

Answer 25

Presidential directive in managing fed operations

Question 26

War Powers Resolution

Answer 26

The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without congressional authorization for use of military force

Question 27

Bully Pulpit

Answer 27

Pres platform to influence public opinion (twitter)

Question 28

Baker v Carr 1962

Answer 28

Case that established one person, one vote principal. It addressed issues of legislative redistricting

Question 29

Shaw v Reno 1993

Answer 29

A Supreme Court ruling that racial gerrymandering violate the Equal protection Clause promoting fair representation in districting

Question 30

Nomination and confirmation power

Answer 30

The presidents authority to nominate fed judges and other key officials which requires confirmation of Senate

Question 31

Senate Judiciary Committee

Answer 31

A senate committee responsible for overseeing judicial nominations, legal issues, and the admin of justice

Question 32

Models of Representation

Answer 32

Theories on how legislators should represent their constituents - Delegates (follow constituents wishes) -Trustees (use personal judgement) -Politicos (use both)

Question 33

Standing Committee

Answer 33

A permanent committee in congress that specializes in a particular area of policy, responsible for drafting and reviewing legislation

Question 34

Rules Committee

Answer 34

A powerful House committee responsible for determining the rules for debate on bills, including time limits and amendments allowed

Question 35

Conference committee

Answer 35

A temporary committee formed to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of a bill before final approval

Question 36

Logrolling-

Answer 36

The practice of exchanging political favors, where legislators support each other's proposals to gain mutual benefits in legislation

Question 37

Incumbent

Answer 37

An elected official currently holding office and running for re-election, often benefiting from name recognition and established support

Question 38

Casework

Answer 38

Assistance provided by legislators to constituents in navigating gov services or addressing specific problems related to gov agencies

Question 39

Pork barrel

Answer 39

Legislation that allocates gov funds for localized projects aimed at benefiting specific constituents, often seen as wasteful spending.

Question 40

Filibuster

Answer 40

A procedural tactic used in the Senate to delay or block a vote on legislation by extending debate, often requiring a supermajority to overcome

Question 41

Cloture

Answer 41

A procedure to end a filibuster or limit debate in the Senate, requiring vote of 3/5 of the Senate to invoke

Question 42

Whip

Answer 42

A party leader in Congress responsible for ensuring party members vote according to party lines and coordination legislative strat

Question 43

Speaker of the House

Answer 43

The presiding office of the House responsible for leading the chamber and facilitating legislative business

Question 44

Caucus

Answer 44

A group of members within Congress who share common interests of goals, often forming to influence legislation or party strat

Question 45

Star Decisis and Precedent

Answer 45

Legal principles that require courts to follow established rulings and decisions from previous cases. It ensures consistency and stability in law

Question 46

Civil law v Criminal law

Answer 46

Civil law = disputes between private parties seeking compensation Criminal law = the prosecution of individuals by the government for offenses against society.