Government final
Political Science 100 with Greene at University of Montana-Missoula
About this deck
By: Hannah Peters
Created: 2010-12-05
Size: 58 flashcards
Views: 53
Created: 2010-12-05
Size: 58 flashcards
Views: 53
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Standing Committee
- basically permanent bodies with specified legislature responsibilities
The Cabinet
- not explicitly mentioned in the constitution
- heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government.
Chief Justice
- John Roberts, Jr. (current; Bush)
- Earl Warren (1953; activism; Eisenhower)
- Warren Burger (appointed by Nixon; wrote the opinion upholding busing)
Salaries
- President: $400,000
- Speaker of the House: $223,500
- Senate and House Leadership: $193,400
- Rank and File members of H. and S.: $174,000
Franking privilege
the ability of members to mail letters to their constituents free of charge by substituting their facsimile signature for postage
Divided government
one party controls the white House and another controls one or both houses of congress
Centralized vs. Decentralized Government
Centralized: more formal (house)
Decentralized: less formal (senate)
Electoral College
- indirect way to elect the president
- people chosen to cast each states votes
- one vote for each senator and representative a given state has
- 538 electoral votes
- need 270 to win presidency
Typical personal characteristics of members of congress
white, male, lawyer in his mid 50's
- Qualifications of President
- Duties of President
- Terms of President
- 35 years old, natural born citizen, citizen for at least 14 years
- "take care that laws be faithfully executed"
- 4 year term, no more than 2 terms or 10 years total
25th Amendment
Allows VP to serve as president if president is disabled
illness is decided by president, vp, and cabinet or 2/3 vote in congress
new Vp must be confirmed by majority vote of both houses
John Tyler - became 10th president in 1841
Bureaucracy
- Large complex organization composed of appointed officials
- political authority over it is shared by the pres. and congress
- federal agencies share functions with related state and local government agencies
Writ of Centiorari
- order by a higher court directing a lower court to send up a case for review
- Requires agreement of 4 justices to hear the case
- involves sig. fed. or constit. ques.
- involves conflicting decisions by circuit courts
- involves consti. interpretation by one of the highest state courts
How does a bill become a law
- introduced to congress
- referred to committee
- committee reports to House and Senate
- Goes to Pres.
- Pres. may pass or veto
- Both houses must support it with 2/3 vote to override veto
- most die in committee
Line-Item Veto
An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by legislature
Pocket Veto
A bill fails to become law because the pres. didn't sign it with in ten days before congress adjourns
Legislative veto
the authority of congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place
supreme court has held that congress does not have this power.
Pork Barrel Legislation
legislation that gives tangible benefits to constituents in several districts or states in the hopes of winning their votes in return
Logrolling
a legislature supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his/hers
Filibuster
an attempt to defeat a bill in the senate by talking indefinitely, thus preventing the senate from taking action on the bill
Gerrymandering
drawing boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
stare Descisis
"Let the decision stand"
or allowing prior ruling to control the current case
Bicameral Legislature
Lawmaking body made up of two chambers or parts
House and Senate
Concurrent Resolution
an expression of opinion with out the force of law that requires the approval of both the House and Senate, but not the President.
Major Differences Between the House and Senate: HOUSE
- Centralized
- strong leadership
- more impersonal
- power not evenly distr
- 22 committees
- 435 members
- Rules committee powerful
Major Differences Between the House and Senate: SENATE
- less centralized
- weaker leadership
- more personal
- power evenly distr.
- 16 committees
- 100 members
- rules committee weak
Caucus
an association of Congress members created to advance a political ideology or a regional, ethnic, or economic interest
Earmarks
"hidden" congressional provisions that direct the federal government to fund specific projects or that exempt specific persons or groups from paying specific federal taxes or fees
laissez-faire
an economic theory that government should not regulate of interfere with commerce
Iron Triangles
a close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group
Judicial Review
the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutionalThe right of the federal courts to rule on the constitutionality of laws and executive actions It is the chief judicial weapon in the checks and balances system.
Federal District Courts
1 in each of 94 districts
federal trials can be held only here
Hears cases from: US Regulatory Commissions, tax courts, claims court, and court of international trade
appellate courts (court of appeals)
federal courts that hear appeals from district courts; no trials
Hears only appeals from State Supreme Courts or Court of Military appeals
Senatorial Courtesy
1. the president nominates a "qualified" person to be a judge, and the Senate approves or rejects the nomination based on those "qualifications"
Sovereign Immunity
the rule that a citizen cannot sue the government without the governments consent
16th amendment
allows the Congress to levy an income tax without apportioning it among the states or basing it on Census results
Chief of Staff
highest ranking member of the Executive Office of the President of the United States and a senior aide to the President
Pete Rouse
22nd amendment
sets a term limit for the President of the United States.
Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974
governs the role of theCongress in the United States budget process.
Office of Management and Budget
a Cabinet-level office, and is the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the US
assist the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and to supervise its administration in Executive Branch agencies
Spoils System
practice where a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its voters as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party
Parkinson's First Law
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion
"Laws" of Bureaucratic Procedure
Peter Principle
"Laws" of Bureaucratic Procedure
Kitchen Cabinet
collection of unofficial advisers consulted in parallel to the United States Cabinet
Criminal Law
bodies of rules with the potential for severe impositions as punishment for failure to comply
civil service
- A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations.
- The body of employees in any government agency other than the military.
Cease-and-Desist Order
order or request to halt an activity (cease) and not to take it up again later (desist); or else face legal action
common law
law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action
statutory law
written law set down by legislature
Executive Office of the President
consists of the immediate staff of the President of the United States, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President.
How does one get to the Supreme Court?
Controversies involving:
- Two or more states
- The US and a state
- Foreign ambassadors and other diplomats
- A state and a citizen of a different state (is begun by that state)
How many Justices?
There is 1 court and 9 justices
Typical Case Load of the Supreme Court
Regularly receive 7,000 cases but only accept about 150 of them
When and how long is the Supreme Court in session?
Starting the first Monday in October going all the way until the first Monday in October of the following year.
In session for a year.
How are federal judges appointed?
2. the president nominates a "qualified" person to be a judge, and the Senate approves or rejects the nomination based on those "qualifications"
How long do Judges serve?
For life; as long as they do not abuse their power.
Who is in charge of the House?
The Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi
Who is in charge of the Senate?
- No one, really
- Vice President
- can be the deciding vote in a tie
About this deck
By: Hannah Peters
Created: 2010-12-05
Size: 58 flashcards
Views: 53
Created: 2010-12-05
Size: 58 flashcards
Views: 53
About StudyBlue
STUDYBLUE makes things that make you better at school.
Things like online flashcards with photos and audio.
Things like personalized quizzes and friendly reminders about when (and what) to study next.
Think of it as a digital backpack™: access to all of your study materials online and on your phone.
STUDYBLUE exists to make studying efficient and effective for every student, for free. Join us.
“I have been getting MUCH better grades on all my tests for school. Flash cards, notes, and quizzes are great on here. Thanks!”
Kathy
Kathy