On deep background
information provided in an interview that a reported can use but cannot make even an indirect reference to the source
redistribution of the 435 congressional seats among the states after the census determines changes in population distribution
Constituent
all residents of the state for senators, all residents of a district for House members
Loose Constructionist
the belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
Unitary system
a political system in which all power is derived from the central government
Categorical grants
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
information provided in an interview that a reporter cannot directly use
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
Prince v. Massachusetts
Religion does not override child labor laws. Wisconsin v. Yoder
Independent executive agency
an agency that is part of the executive branch but not included in any executive department; the head of the agency (NASA, CIA for example) is appointed by the president and serves at the pleasure of the president
Advice and consent
the Senate's authority to approve or neglect the president's top appointments and negotiated treaties
the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy
executive privilege
the first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, which protect basic civil liberties
mandates require states to enforce legislation without the funding necessary
Straight-ticket voting
A formal expression of congressional opinion that must be approved by both houses of congress and by the president; constitutional amendments need not be signed by the president
Individualism
the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government
Executive order
action by the president that does not require the approval of Congress; subject to judicial review
Unanimous consent
an agreement by every senator to the terms of debate on a given piece of legislation
Conference committee
a committee made up of members of the House and Senate that is responsible for reconciling the differences when two versions of the same bill pass both houses of Congress
original jurisdiction
the first court to hear and decide a case; US district courts and the US Supreme Court have original jurisdiction in cases involving foreign affairs, states or the national government
Pardon
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents
Slander
false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation
Trustee
after listening to constituents, elected representatives vote based on their own opinions
Closed rule
a rule issued by the House Committee on Rules, in which there is a strict time limit for debate and no amendments can be offered
a tax that is higher for those who make more money; the federal income tax is an example
Random sampling
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
