a draft of a proposed law presented to parliament for discussion.
mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary
Procedural Due Process
Ratification
method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law
Advice and consent
Connecticut (Great) Compromise
settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate
independents
people who have no party affiliation
Deregulation
the process of reducing or completely eliminating federal government oversight of an industry so as to allow it to operate more freely; used to encourage competition and reduce costs to consumers
Precedent
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
equality of opportunity
everyone should have the same chance; what individuals make of that chance depends their abilities and efforts
Free exercise clause
Barnettte v. McColumm
Upholds establishment clause and free exercise clause. Engel v. Vitale
Incumbent
the person currently holding office
Discretionary spending
On background
information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee
the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress
Representative democracy
effect the ability of a strong or popular candidate to get other candidates on the ticket elected; it is a term most
DC v. Heller (2008)
pork-barrel legislation
legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection
the document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government
Political culture
Ex post facto law
a law that makes an action a crime even though it was legal when it was committed or increases the penalty for a crime after it has been committed
Entitlement
Mandates
Platform
a statement of a political party on the issues facing the country, adopted at the national convention; each issue position is known as a plank
Commerce and slave trade compromise
resolved differences between northern and southern states at the constitutional convention; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for twenty years
Exit poll
a poll conducted on election day to determine how people voted
War Powers Act of 1973
a law that limits presidential use of military forces to sixty days, with an automatic extension of thirty additional days if the president requests such an extension
Good-faith exception
a rule of evidence that says that if the authorities act "in good faith," evidence that otherwise might have been excluded may be admissible. Modifies Mapp v. Ohio
