Government Ch 10-14

Front 1

A rule, or principle, requiring that congressional districts must have equal population so that one person's vote counts as much as another's vote.

Back 1

"One Person, One Vote"

Front 2

The drawing of a legislative district's boundaries in such a way as to maximize the infulence of a certain group or political party.

Back 2

Gerrymandering

Front 3

The distribution of House seats among the states on the basis of their respective populations

Back 3

Apportionment

Front 4

A standing commitee in the House of Representatives that provides special rules governing how particular bills will be considered and debated by the House. This committee normally proposes time limitations on debate for any bill, which are accepted or modified by the House.

Back 4

Rules Committee

Front 5

A permanent committee in Congress that deals with legislation concerning a particular area, such as agriculture or foreign relations.

Back 5

Standing Committee

Front 6

A division of a larger committee that deals with a particular part of the committee's policy area. Each of the standing committees in Congress has several

Back 6

Subcommittee

Front 7

The Senate tradition of unlimited debate, undertaken for the purpose of preventing action on a bill.

Back 7

Filibustering

Front 8

A method of ending debate in the Senate and bringing the matter under consideration to a vote by the entire chamber.

Back 8

Cloture

Front 9

A special type of veto power used by the chief executive after the legislature has adjourned. Bills that are not signed by the president die after a specified period of time and must be reintroduced if Congress wishes to reconsider them.

Back 9

Pocket Veto

Front 10

The presiding officer in the House of Representatives. He has traditionally been a long-time member of the majority party and is often the most powerful and influential member of the House.

Back 10

Speaker of the House

Front 11

The party leader elected by the majority party in the House or in the Senate.

Back 11

Majority Leader

Front 12

The party leader elected by the minority lparty in the House or in the Senate.

Back 12

Minority Leader

Front 13

A member of Congress who assists the majority or minority leader in the House or in the Senate in managing the party's legislative preferences.

Back 13

Whip

Front 14

The head of the executive branch of government. In the U.S the president is the head of the exec branch of fed gov.

Back 14

Chief Executive

Front 15

The supreme commander of the military forces of the U.S (President)

Back 15

Commander in Chief

Front 16

The president serves as the ceremonial head of the country's government and represents that country to the rest of the world

Back 16

Chief of State

Front 17

The role of the President in recognizing and interacting with foreign governments

Back 17

Chief Diplomat

Front 18

President informs Congress about the condition of the country and recommends legislative measures.

Back 18

Chief Legislator

Front 19

President Heads political party

Back 19

Political Party Leader

Front 20

A latin word meaning "I forbid" the refusal by an official, such as the president or a state governor, to sign a bill into a law.

Back 20

Veto

Front 21

A federal bureaucratic agency that is not located within a cabinet department.

Back 21

Independent Executive Agency

Front 22

A three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preseve policies that benefit their repsective interests.

Back 22

Iron Triangle

Front 23

In the context of government employment, someone who reports to authorities gross governmental inefficiency, illegal action, or other wrongdoing.

Back 23

Whistleblower

Front 24

The body of law developed from judicial decisions in English and U.S. courts, not attributable to a legislature.

Back 24

Common Law

Front 25

The body of law enacted by legislatures (as opposed to constitutional law, administrative law, or case law)

Back 25

Statutory Law

Front 26

The branch of law that spells out the duties that individuals in society owe to other persons or to their governments, excluding the duty not to commit crimes.

Back 26

Civil law

Front 27

The branch of law that defines and governs actions that constitutes crimes. Generally it has to do with wrongful actions committed against society for which society demands redress.

Back 27

Criminal Law

Front 28

The authority of a court to hear and decide a particular case

Back 28

Jurisdiction

Front 29

A statement written by a judge or justice who agrees with the court's decision, but for reasons different from those in the majority opinion

Back 29

Concurring Opinion

Front 30

A written opinion by a judge or justice who disagrees with the majority leader

Back 30

Dissenting Opinion

Front 31

The power of the courts to decide on the constitutionality of legislative enactments and of actions taken by the executive branch.

Back 31

Judicial Review

Front 32

An agency of the government that is run as a business enterprise. Such agencies engage in primarily commercial activities, produce revenues, and require greater flexibility than that permitted in most government agencies.

Back 32

Government Corporation

Front 33

An advisory group selected by the president to assist with decision making. Traditionally, it has consisted of the heads of the executive departments and other officers whom the presidentmay choose to appoint.

Back 33

Cabinet