federal funds given to state and local governments for specific programs that usually require the recipient to match the money provided and have other strings attached
On deep background
information provided in an interview that a reported can use but cannot make even an indirect reference to the source
Equal Protection Clause
constitutional guarantee that everyone be treated equally
nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election
corporation a corporation that may receive part of its funding from Congress and is managed by a board appointed by the president; the function it performs could be carried out by private enterprise; an example is the US Postal service
Keynesian economics
the belief that inflation occurs when too much money is chasing too few goods; the government must manage the economy by spending more money when in a recession and cutting spending when there is inflation
Moderate
Political culture
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
clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
On background
information provided in an interview that a reporter can quote but can't attribute specifically to the interviewee
Limited Government
Discharge petition
a device by which any member of the House, after a committee has had a bill for thirty days, may petition to have it brought to the floor; requires 218 votes
citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials;
weak government
government that has limited control over economy or personal lives
Bench trial
a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability
economic policy in which the money supply is controlled through the Federal Reserve
Elastic clause
the necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 18) that allows Congress to pass laws to carry out its expressed powers
Congress 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
government departments headed by presidential appointees to help establish public policy and operate a specific policy area of governmental activity
Hate speech
the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election
Candidate
redistribution of the 435 congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution
Appellate courts
courts with authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors in the interpretation or application of law
let the decision stand; court decisions are based on precedent from previous cases
Rule of four
Hard money
money used directly by a candidate running for office; it is subject to campaign finance laws and Federal
a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
a group of members of Congress who may or may not be from the same party but who share
