Unit 2- Key Concepts Vocab List

Unit 2: Interactions Among the Branches of Government KEY CONCEPTS VOCABULARY LIST Constituency- A specific group of voters, a body of citizens, or a geographic district that an elected official represents to represent a legislative body. Filibuster- A tactic of prolonged speech used to delay or prevent a vote on a bill from passing or provoke debate. Cloture- The Senate's formal procedure to end a filibuster and force a vote on a bill, requiring a three-fifths majority to limit debate, typically to 30 more hours, allowing the majority to overcome minority obstruction. Discharge petition- a legislative maneuver available in the House of Representatives to force a bill out of a committee and onto the floor for a direct vote. Advice and Consent- a U.S. Constitutional power (Article II, Section 2) giving the Senate authority to review and approve or reject presidential nominations (judges, ambassadors, cabinet) and ratify treaties, acting as a crucial legislative check on the Executive Branch for major appointments and foreign policy, requiring a simple majority for nominations and a two-thirds vote for treaties. W Power of the Purse/ Appropriations- The "power of the purse" refers to Congress's constitutional authority to control government spending and taxation, allowing it to approve budgets and appropriate funds for federal programs, acting as a major check on executive power by enabling them to influence policy or curb presidential initiatives by granting or withholding funds. This power ensures no public money can be spent without legislative approval. Discretionary spending - The portion of the federal budget Congress decides annually through the appropriation process, funding things like defense, education, and infrastructure, unlike mandatory spending set by existing laws. Mandatory spending- government expenditures that are required by law, primarily for entitlement programs such as social security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Entitlement programs -mandatory government programs that provide benefits to citizens who meet specific legal eligibility requirements, thereby creating a legal right for those who benefit. Germane / Nongermane Amendments- Germane- A proposed change that is relevant and directly related to the bills subject promoting focused legislature. Nongermane- proposed change that adds unnecessary topics, often used in the Senate to attach pet projects to must-pass bills through loopholes or unanimous consent, circumventing committee review for broader political benefit. Budget deficit - A budget deficit is when a government spends more than it takes in through revenue. Pork barrel legislation - Government spending that targets specific areas. Used by legislators to boost support in their constituencies. Logrolling - the trading of favors, or quid pro quo, such as vote trading by legislative members to obtain passage of actions of interest to each legislative member. Gerrymandering - the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency Redistricting - the process of drawing electoral district boundaries. For the United States House of Representatives and state legislatures, redistricting occurs after each ten-year census. Reapportionment - The process by which congressional districts are redrawn to account for population changes. This usually happens every 10 years following the publication of the census. Divided Government - A divided government refers to when one party controls the presidency, and the other party controls both houses of Congress. “Lame duck” president - A lame duck president is one whose time in office is ending, often with diminishing power. Trustee model - Legislators should act on their best judgment, not necessarily the wishes of the majority of the constituents. Delegate model - A theory where elected officials act as “mouthpieces” for their constituents, voting closely according to the public’s preferences and wishes, prioritizing voter will over their own judgement. Politico model - A theory of legislative behavior that combines aspects of both the delegate and trustee models, suggesting that lawmakers act as delegates on highly public issues while taking on the role of trustees on more matters. Reflecting the lawmakers must strike between responding to the wishes of their constituents and exercising their own judgment when making decisions. Pocket veto - When the President doesn’t sign a bill, and because Congress adjourns within the 10-day review period, the bill fails to become law without the president needing to formally veto it. Executive order- A rule or order that's issued by the president to an Executive branch of the government and having the force of law without congressional involvement. Signing statement- An international agreement made by the executive branch of the U.S government without ratification by the Senate. Stare decisis Certiorari - A writ or order by which a higher court reviews a case tried in a lower court. Amicus Curiae Brief Legal document filed in court cases by an individual or organization not directly involved in the case. Judicial Review Power of the courts to examine actions by the legislative or executive branch to determine if they comply with the constitution. Judicial activism: The practice of judges making rulings based on their policy views rather than their honest interpretation of the current law. Judicial restraint: A philosophy where judges limit their own power, deferring to elected officials and established precedent, only striking down laws as a last resort when clearly unconstitutional, rather than imposing personal views or overturning legislative choices Issue network/iron triangle: A stable, mutually beneficial alliance between a congressional committee, a government agency (bureaucracy), and an interest group, all working to promote their shared policy goals (e.g., defense, agriculture). In contrast, an Issue Network is a broader, more fluid web of various stakeholders, including activists, academics, and different interest groups, who come together around a specific policy issue, often competing and changing over time, creating more dynamic policymaking. Congressional Oversight: Congress's power to review, monitor, and supervise the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure they implement laws as intended, promoting accountability through tools like committee hearings, investigations, budget control (power of the purse), and requiring reports, thereby acting as a key check on executive power and bureaucracy. Delegated Discretionary Authority: The power congress gives to executive agencies to interpret laws and decide how to carry them out as long as they are within the guidelines set by congress. Compliance Monitoring: When government agencies or officials check if individuals, businesses or agencies are following laws, regulations, and standards. https://wayground.com/admin/quiz/695eafcc64529689ce371cfb