Earmark
a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
Precedent
standards or guides based on prior decisions that serve as a rule for settling similar disputes
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
Majority opinion
the majority of justices agree on the decision and the reasons for the decision
Conservative
Bicameral legislature
Slander
false verbal statements about others that harm their reputation
the conduct of international relations, particularly involving the negotiation of treaties and other agreements between nations
Whip
Affirmative action
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
Discharge petition
Casework
a convicted person is exempt from the penalties of a crime; only the president has this power at the national
Supremacy clause
Dissenting opinion
Recess appointment
a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation
Filibuster
a lengthy speech designed to delay the vote on a bill in the Senate; can be ended by a cloture motion and vote
responsible for interpreting and applying the laws; in the federal government it consists of the US district
Off year election
an election taking place in a year when no presidential elections are occurring; midterm election
settled disputes between the states over the structure of the legislative branch; a solution to the problem of representation at the Constitutional Convention, in which the number of members that each state would have in the House of Representatives is determined by population, while each state would have equal representation in the Senate
a trial in which the judge who presides over the trial decides on guilt or liability
Issue networks
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
Interest group
The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.
Primary election
allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices
Executive order
Deviating election
minority party is able to win the support of majority party members, independents, and new voters
a formal document issued by the Supreme Court to a lower court indicating that it will hear a case
Government
