1.
Amicus Brief: brief presented by an amicus curiae, individual or group that is not party to a lawsuit, in attempt to assist the court in reaching a decision.
2.
Appellate Court: "appeals court" A court having jurisdiction to review cases and issues that were originally tried in lower, or trial, courts.
3.
Bureaucratic Discretion: Bureaucrats use of thier own judgement in interpreting and carrying out the laws of congress
4.
Clinton V Jones: US supreme court case that established that a sitting president has no immunity from a civil lawsuit against him, for acts done before taking office and unrelated to office.
5.
Cloture: rule that can end a debate or filibuster (60 votes) by allowing super-majority of members of a legislature body to set a time limit on debate over a given bill.
6.
Concurring Opinion: An opinion that agrees with the majority in a Supreme Court ruling but differs on the reasoning of that ruling.
7.
Congress as Watchdog: A way in which congress checks on the executive branch.
8.
Delegate Representation: Type of representation in a representative democracy in which constituents elect their representatives as delegates which only act as a mouth piece for the wishes of the constituency.
9.
Electoral College: Presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for the president and vice president.
10.
Executive Order: Order issued by the President usually to help agencies of executive branch manage the operations within the federal government. Can also be issued at a state level by the governor.
11.
Filibuster: Tactic used in senate to prevent action in legislation by continuously holding the floor by speaking until majority breaks down. requires 3/5ths of senate vote to end one.
12.
Fiscal Policy: Policies that use spending and taxing to accomplish policy purposes in attempt to manage economy.
13.
GAO Government Accountability Office: the audit, evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. It is located in the legislative branch of the United States government.
14.
House and Senate Whips: Line up party members on important votes and relay voting info to the party leaders. ensures party discipline in a legislative vote according to official political party.
15.
House Appropriations Committee: In charge of setting specific ways of spending money by U.S. government. It is one of the most powerful committees and the members are seen as influential.
16.
House Rules Committee: A very powerful committee within the House of Representatives that is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor.
17.
Iron Triangle: describes policy making relationship among the congressional committees, the bureaucracy and interest groups in politics.
18.
Line Item Veto: Presidential power to remove specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
19.
Log-Rolling: A legislator supports a proposal favored by another in return for support of his or hers. Usually voting for or against a bill. This practice unites parties that have nothing in common but their desire to exchange support.
20.
Monetary Policy: Policies that control the supply of money, price of money, and availability of credit in attempt to manage the economy.
21.
Mootness: criterion used by courts to to avoid hearing cases that no longer require resolution. Determines whether Supreme Court will hear a case.
22.
Office of Management and Budget OMB: Largest office within the executive office of the President. Oversees the preparation of federal budget and supervises its administration in executive branch agencies.
23.
Pocket Veto: Indirect veto of a bill in legislation by the president by refusing to sign it.
24.
Pork-Barrel Legislation: Legislation giving benefits to constituents through sometimes unnecessary projects within a state or district, to enhance a memeber's chance of reelection
25.
Principal agent problem: Problem arising when agents pursue their own goals rather than the goals of the principal who hired them.
26.
Signing Statement: written pronouncement issued by president upon signing a bill into a law which usually states his interpretation of the law.
27.
Speaker of the House: Chief presiding officer of house of rep. elected at beginning of every congress on straight party vote. most important party and house leader. second in life for presidency after vice president.
28.
Standing: Right of any individual or organization to initiate a court case but party must show that have a substantial stake in the outcome of the case. The rule states who is authorized to start a lawsuit.
29.
Stare Decisis: "Let the decision stand" prinicple that says decisions are based on precedents from previous cases. Infers that the courts should not disturb settled matters.
30.
Trustee Representation: Constituents elect representatives as trustees which have sufficient autonomy to act in favor of greater common good and national interest. Provides a solution to the problem of uniformed constituents who lack necessary knowledge on certain issues.
31.
Unitary Executive: Theory of American law that the president controls the entire executive branch. Based on article 2 of the constitution. vests "executive power" of US in the president.
32.
War Powers Act: Resolution of congress declaring that the president can send troops into action abroad only by authorization of congress or is US troops are already under attack or threatened. Limits the ability of the president to send troops into combat.
33.
Writ of Certiori: "to make more certain" a formal request by an appellant to have the supreme court review a decision of a lower court. How most cases reach the supreme court.
