vocab tests Flashcards
amicus curiae brief
“friend of the court” brief filed by An interest group to influence a Supreme Court decision
Appellate jurisdiction
Authority of a court to hear an appeal from a lower court
Balancing the ticket
Occurs when a presidential nominee chooses a vice presidential running mate who has different qualities in order to attract more votes for the ticket
Bill of attainder
Legislative act inflicting punishment including deprivation of property, without trial, on named individuals or members of a group
Blanket primary
Election to choose candidates that is open to independence and allows voters to choose candidates from all parties
Block grant
Money granted by the federal government to the states for a broad purpose rather than for a narrow purpose example school lunch program
Bully pulpit
President uses his position to communicate with people. Use radio TV Townhall meeting speaking to special interest groups
Bureaucracy
Non-elected government officials and workers chosen by merit system. Make official decisions following an established process and behave with impersonality
McCulloch versus Maryland 1819
Declared that Congress has implied powers necessary to implement its enumerated powers and established supremacy of the Constitution and federal laws over state laws
United States versus Lopez 1995
Ruled that Congress may not use the commerce clause to make possession of a gun in school zones of federal crime. Recognize the importance of state sovereignty and local control
Engle versus vitale 1962
Declared school sponsorship of religious activities violates the establishment clause
wisconsin v yonder
Held that compelling Amish students to 10 school pass the eighth grade violates the free exercise clause
Tinker versus Des Moines 1969
Rule that public school students could wear black armbands in school to protest Vietnam. Symbolic speech protected as long as it doesn’t cause a disruption
New York Times v US 1971
Pentagon papers case. Nixon wanted to prevent publication. Case bolstered freedom of the press, establishing a “heavy presumption against prior restraint” even in cases involving national security
Case work
When congressional staff help a constituent solve a problem
Categorical grant
Money granted by the federal government to the states for a narrow purpose rather than for a broad purpose
Caucus
Face-to-face meeting of party members at the local or state level to determine their party’s candidate for office
Checks and balances
System in which each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches
Civil liberties
Basic rights and freedoms guaranteed in the bill of rights/constitution (speech, privacy, fair trial)
Civil rights
Basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics, such as race, gender, disability
Clear and present danger doctrine
Judicial interpretation of the first amendment that government may not ban speech unless speech poses an eminent threat to society
Closed primary
Party election to choose candidates that is closed independence. Boat or may not cross party lines
Cloture
Senate motion to end a filibuster that requires 3/5 vote
Conference committee
works out a compromise between differing house-senate version of a bill
