AP Government duel

Concurrent jurisdiction

a program intended to give a boost of preference to minority applicants over white applicants in contracting, employment, housing, and college or professional school admissions

Constituency service casework; assistance to constituents by congressional members

Policy adoption the approval of a policy by legislation

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

Federal system a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government

Opinion leaders those individuals held in great respect because of their position, expertise, or personality, who may

Exclusionary rule

a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy

Leak

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

National debt amount of money owed by the government

Standing committee a permanent committee of Congress that deals with legislation and oversight in a broad policy area

joint resolution 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

Rule of four a rule that says that four of the nine Supreme Court justices must agree in conference to hear a case

Soft money

Due process

Earmark a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure

Commerce and slave trade compromise

Subsidy

Amendment a revision or change to a bill, law, or constitution

Individualism the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government

Joint committee a committee of Congress made up of members of both houses that focuses on issues of general concern but does not propose legislation

Open rule in the House, a rule that allows any amendments to a bill, regardless of whether they're relevant to the legislation

powers that the Constitution specifically grants to the federal government

Nonpartisan election an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation

Categorical grants

government that has limited control over economy or personal lives

Caucus

Gatekeepers media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who decide what news to present and how it will be presented

Hate speech

common policy concerns an association of congressional members who advocate a political ideology, regional, ethnic, or economic interest

Logrolling

New Jersey v. TLO (1985) Students have less privacy at schools; their stuff is subject to a search because of suspicion. This is necessary for discipline.

National debt amount of money owed by the government

Independent regulatory agency an agency that is part of the executive branch and responsible for regulating and oversight of a segment of the economy; it is managed by a board or commission appointed by the president for a fixed term

On deep background

prohibits the establishment of a national religion

false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation

District courts lowest level of federal courts, where most federal cases begin and trials are held

democracy citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues; there are no elected officials; also called participatory democracy

Honeymoon period the time early in a new president's administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public

Incumbency effect tendency of those already holding office to win reelection due to advantages because they already hold the office

basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny

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

Prospective voting a method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views

segregation that results from living patterns rather than law

Voter turnout the total number of votes cast for the highest office on the ballot

Legislative veto when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared

Democracy a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

Griswold v. Connecticut (1965)

extension of an interest group that contributes money to political campaigns

Free exercise clause Congress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices

Closed primary a primary election that is limited to registered voters of a particular political party

gives Congress the powers to pass all laws necessary and proper to carry out their constitutional duties, found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; also called the elastic clause

Gender gap a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues

Nonpartisan election an election in which candidates run as independents without party affiliation

Courts of Appeal federal courts with appellate jurisdiction that review decisions of federal district courts, regulatory commissions, and other federal courts

Whip

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

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