Lemon v. KurtzmanCreates the "Lemon Test", which has requires separate, secular, and neutral effect and intention in government action.
Constituencyservice casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members
federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts
a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area
Civil liberties
Random samplinga statistical technique that gives everyone in the target group the same opportunity to participate in a poll
Blanket primarya primary election in which candidates from all parties are on the ballot, and a registered voter can vote for the Democratic candidate for one office and the Republican candidate for another
Diplomacythe conduct of international relations, particularly involving the negotiation of treaties and other agreements between nations
a person whose political views favor more local, limited government, fewer government regulations,
Initiativeallows voters to petition to propose legislation and then submit it for a vote by qualified voters; not available at the national level
Closed rulea rule issued by the House Committee on Rules, in which there is a strict time limit for debate and no amendments can be offered
Legislative courtscourts courts created by Congress for a specialized purpose with a narrow range of authority; judges serve a fixed term
President Pro Tempore
Democracya system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation
Gender gapa situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
Judicial activisma judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy
Due processprotection against the arbitrary loss of life, liberty, and property provided for under the 5th and 14th Amendments
New York Times Co. v. SullivanThe Supreme Court concluded that "actual malice" must be proved to support a finding of libel against a public figure. Principle of "breathing space"
stare decisislet the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
OversightCongress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent
Grassroots lobbyingorganizing a letter-writing campaign or taking out ads to influence public opinion and persuade public officials to support a particular policy
Block grants
Representative democracy
Dealignment
Floor leaders
the numerous people who are involved in the formulation of policy, including the president, members of Congress, the cabinet, lobbyists, interest groups, government agencies, and scholars; a looser relationship than the iron triangles
Recess appointment
Expressed powerspowers enumerated in the Constitution
Appellate courts
Amendmenta revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution
the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers
Roe v. Wade (1973)The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.
Lobbyingattempting to influence policymakers through a variety of methods
Good-faith exceptiona 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
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
government corporation
Representative democracycitizens choose officials who make decisions about public policy; a republic
Frozen!
Frozen!
Federal budget
method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law
when a significant number of voters choose to no longer support a particular political party
Entitlement
the flexibility a federal agency can exercise in implementing legislation through its rules and regulations. the authority delegated to bureaucrats to use their expertise and judgment when determining how to implement public policy.
Judicial reviewauthority given the courts to review the constitutionality of acts by the executive, states, or the
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
North American Free Trade Agreementcreated to allow the free movement of goods between Canada, Mexico, and the US by lowering and eliminating tariffs
Frozen!
Frozen!
Constituency
Boost!
Boost!
the president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional
under Article I of the Constitution, the legislative branch consists of the House and Senate, which together form the US Congress; the prime responsibility is to make laws
Congressional reviewCongress's authority to review a new federal regulation enacted by a regulatory agency and overrule it through a joint resolution
Incrementalismsmall changes in policy over long periods of time; usually in reference to budget making - that the best indicator of this year's budget is last year's budget plus a small increase
Fiscal policy
Superdelegates
Incorporationapplication of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
OversightCongress monitors policies of the executive branch; the process by which the legislative branch checks the executive branch to ensure that the laws Congress has passed are being administered in keeping with legislators' intent
Caucuslocally held meeting in a state to select delegates who, in turn, will nominate candidates to political office
Closed primarya primary election that is limited to registered voters of a particular political party
Political action committees (PAC$)
Agenda settingidentification of the problems and/or issues that require the attention of the government to resolve
Boost!
Boost!
Impoundmentrefusal of the president to spend money Congress has appropriated; was eliminated by the congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974