Caucus
Natural rights
basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights a government cannot deny
when the president takes no action on a bill within ten days of Congress adjourning, the bill does not become law
Closed primary
a primary election that is limited to registered voters of a particular political party
Reserved powers
under the 10th Amendment, powers not granted to the federal government or denied to the states reserved for the states or the people
Electorate
Initiative
General election
voters choose office holder from among all the candidates nominated by political parties or running as independents
Public opinion
door the practice of government officials becoming lobbyists for the industries or companies they were responsible for regulating while they were public servants
Politics
method of maintaining, managing, and gaining control of government
legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary or unwise projects within a state or district, to enhance a member's chance of reelection
Referendum
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct
Impeachment
Federal system
a political system in which power is divided between the national government and state government
Legislative veto
when Congress rejects an action of the president by a majority vote of both houses; declared
a judicial philosophy that holds that courts have a more expansive role to play in shaping public policy
a law that makes a person guilty of a crime without a trial; neither Congress nor the states can enact such a law Constitutionally
opinion justice or justices who voted in the minority, explaining the reasons for opposing the majority opinion
how the government uses taxes and spending to impact the economy
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
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
Limited Government
a governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a Constitution or other source of authority
Administrative Discretion
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.
Gender gap
a situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
Delegate
an elected official who considers it an obligation to vote the way the majority of his or her constituents wants
Runoff primary
when no candidate receives a majority of votes, and election held between the two candidates who recorded the most votes in the primary
Hyde Amendment (1976)
Symbolic speech
using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea
President Pro Tempore
serves as president of the Senate in the absence of the vice president; chosen by the majority
Off year election
