American Government

Front 1

cloture

Back 1

a vote to end a Senate filibuster; requires a three-fifths majority, or sixty votes

Front 2

congressional oversight

Back 2

a committee’s investigation of the executive and of government agencies to ensure they are acting as Congress intends

Front 3

omnibus legislation

Back 3

a large bill that contains so many important elements that members cant afford to defeat it and the president cant afford to veto it, even if the bill contains elements they dislike

Front 4

cycle effect

Back 4

the predictable rise and fall of a president’s popularity at different stages of a term in office

Front 5

Divided government

Back 5

political rule split between two parties: one controlling the White House and the other controlling one or both houses of Congress

Front 6

Inherent powers

Back 6

presidential powers implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution

Front 7

Presidential Style

Back 7

image projected by the president that represents how he would like to be perceived at home and abroad

Front 8

Signing Statements

Back 8

statements recorded along with signed legislation clarifying the presidents understanding of the constitutionality of the bill

Front 9

Adversarial system

Back 9

trial procedures designed to resolve conflict through the clash of opposing sides, moderated by a neutral, passive judge who applies the law

Front 10

Amicus Curiae breifs

Back 10

“friend of the court” documents filed by interested parties to encourage the court to grant or deny certiorari or to urge it to decide a case in a particular way