a designation within a spending bill that provides for a specific expenditure
Progressive tax
Dual Federalisma model of the relationship between the federal government and the states in which each is supreme in its own sphere; "layer cake federalism"
Judicial ReviewAuthority given the courts to review constitutionality of acts by the executive/state/legislature; est. in Marbury v. Madison
Substantive due processthe policies of government or the particular subject matter of the laws determining what the law is about and whether the law is fair or if it violates constitutional protections
using actions and symbols rather than words to convey an idea
Margin of errorthe percentage that a scientific poll is likely to be off; a margin of error of +/- 3 percent is common
everyone should have the same chance; what individuals make of that chance depends their abilities and efforts
Procedural Due Processmethod of government action, or how the law is carried out according to established rules and procedures
Revolving
Individualismthe belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government
Popular Socereigntybasic principle of US government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power
Declaration of Independencedrafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain
Politico
Front loadingthe practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election
Realignmenta shift of voting patterns to form new coalitions of party support
Discriminationunfair treatment of a person based on race or group membership
prior restraintaction by the government to prevent the publication of material; censorship
Constitution
Incorporationapplication of portions of the Bill of Rights to the states under the 14th Amendment
Free exercise clauseCongress may not make laws restricting or prohibiting a person's religious practices
Line item vetothe president can reject a portion of a bill while approving the rest; declared unconstitutional
Iron triangle
Referendum
Ratification
Progressivegenerally refers to the belief that government or people acting on its behalf can be used to address social problems or inequities facing the nation
Recess appointmenta presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation
Cloturea method for cutting off a filibuster in the Senate; sixteen votes are needed to call for cloture and sixty are needed to end a filibuster
a statement of a political party on the issues facing the country, adopted at the national convention; each issue position is known as a plank
Floor leaders
Frozen!
Frozen!
Boost!
Boost!
Patronage
Open rulein the House, a rule that allows any amendments to a bill, regardless of whether they're relevant to the legislation
The Right to Privacy extends to letting women make decisions about their bodies without government surveillance.
the practice of a state choosing an early date to hold a primary election
a presidential appointment made when Congress is not in session; doesn't require immediate confirmation
Electoral Collegerepresentatives from each state who formally cast ballots for the president and vice president
Party dealignment
Good-faith exceptiona 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
De jure segregationsegregation segregation that results from law
Frozen!
Frozen!
Ex post facto lawa 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
Legislative veto
Appellate courtscourts with authority to review cases heard by other courts to correct errors in the interpretation or application of law
Loose Constructionistthe belief that judges should have freedom in interpreting the Constitution
Checks and balancesa system in which each branch of the government has the power to limit the other branches of government so that one is not dominant; each branch of government is subject to restraints by the other two branches
political organizations that use contributions from individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend unlimited sums independent from the campaigns, yet influencing the outcome of elections
Subsidya sum of money granted by the government or a public body to assist an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive
Political culturea set of basic values and beliefs about one's country or government that is shared by most citizens
Policy adoptionthe approval of a policy by legislation
clause says that states are required to recognize the laws and legal documents of other states - Article 4
a brief submitted to the court by an interested third party that outlines issues it thinks are important in the case. amicus curiae literally means "friend of the court"
Johnson v. Zerbst (1938)Sixth amendment applies to federal criminal cases with possible imprisonment and too poor defendant. Gideon v. Wainwright
Civil rightspositive acts of government designed to prevent discrimination and provide equality before the law. What the government should do.
under Article I of the Constitution, the legislative branch consists of the House and Senate, which together form the US Congress; the prime responsibility is to make laws
Gender gapa situation in which men and women hold different positions on a wide range of political issues
Single-member districtsonly one representative is chosen from each legislative district
Select committeea temporary committee of Congress set up for a specific purpose that is outside the scope of the standing committees
Socialisma political/economic system in which the government plays a major role (usually ownership) in determining the use of productive resources and the allocation of valuable goods and services; may be democratic or authoritarian
Rules committeedetermines the rules for debate for bills in the House
Concurrent jurisdictionjurisdiction the authority to hear cases is shared by federal and state courts