American Government- Misc Terms

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Caucus

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nominate their candidate for president. Promote group interests through legislation, policy, and pressure on the agencies.

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Congressional Budget Office

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Evaluates the effect of spending programs and provides cost estimates on proposed policies.

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General Accounting Office

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primary role is to audit expenditures by the executive branch and federal agencies

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Referendum

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submit proposed legislation for approval by popular vote

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Pork Barrel Legislation

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Bill loaded with special projects designed to please home constituents at the expense of the federal tax payer.

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Solid South

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Describes the electoral support of the Southern United States for democratic Party candidates from 1877 (end of reconstruction) to 1964 (civil rights act of 1964)

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Lame Duck

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Congressional members who are finishing their final terms in Congress.

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Filibuster

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Extended debate intended to indefinitely delay or prevent a vote in the senate.

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Cloture

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The only procedure by which the senate can vote to place a time limit on consideration of a bill or other matter, and thereby overcome a filibuster.

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Junket

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An excursion for the purpose of pleasure at public expense

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logrolling

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Agreement between two members for reciprocal support of unrelated legislation.

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Gerrymandering

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Restricting that is done in order to include a coveted group of voters within a certain district or to avoid splitting a voting bloc (illegal).

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Reapportionment

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Takes place every 10 years after the federal census. Determines how many reps are to be elected in a given district.

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Realignment

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Shifts of public opinion- often proceeded by a critical election

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Who is least likely to Vote?

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lower income, over age 65, minorities, well educated

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Supremacy Clause

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Federal law must be followed even when it conflicts with state law. "shall be the supreme law of the land."

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Iron Triangle

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One of the strongest policy-making entities groups an agency, and interest group, and a congressional committee.

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Issue Network

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almost as strong as an iron triangle- combines people, agencies, congressional committees, etc.

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Casework

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congressional reps efforts to help a constituent resolve a problem with the federal bureaucracy.

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Tactics used in the civil rights movement

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Marches and demonstrations

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Declaration of Independence

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Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness

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Bill of Rights

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Amendments 1-10 of constitution. limits the powers of the fed government

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Order of succession to the presidency

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Vice president, speaker of the house, president Pro Tempore of the senate, Secretary of State

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Jim Crow Laws

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Disenfranchised Americans of color.

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Incumbents

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Representative already in office (PACs overwhelmingly support them)

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Executive Agreement

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The president has the power to arrange an agreement between the u.s. and another country with the force of a treaty, but without the senates prior approval

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Federalist Papers' authors

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John Jay Alexander Hamilton, James Madison

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Writ of Habeas Corpus

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Protects individuals from being held without charge

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Mugwumps

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Voters who do not identify themselves with any one party

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Eminent Domain

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The power to take private property for public use (5th amendment)

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Writ of Certiorari

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when an appellate court orders a lower court to deliver its record in a case so that the higher court may review it. (supreme court uses this)

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Rule of law

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the legal principal that laws should govern a nation