Unit 4. Study Guide AP Gov.
The Twenty-second Amendment
"Anti-Third Term Principle,"by Clifford K. Berryman, 1912. The cartoon depicts Theodore Roosevelt, left, and George Washington, right. "Third Term Principle" Source: National Archives Which of the following Constitutional Amendments is most relevant to the topic of the cartoon?
The bully pulpit
"In addition to educating the country, [President Barack Obama's] goal is to frame the political debate and set an agenda that the next Democratic presidential nominee can run on next year - an agenda that Obama hopes will put opposition Republicans at a big disadvantage. Obama has been getting lots of attention for bypassing the Republican-controlled Congress and using his unilateral powers, such as executive orders, to get his way. But his power to persuade is another vital weapon in the president's arsenal, since he can command media and public attention almost whenever he wants." -Kenneth T. Walsh, U.S. News & World Report, 2015 The strategy described in the passage above is an example of which of the following?
The president's ability to command media attention gives him an advantage in shaping the national policy agenda
"In addition to educating the country, [President Barack Obama's] goal is to frame the political debate and set an agenda that the next Democratic presidential nominee can run on next year - an agenda that Obama hopes will put opposition Republicans at a big disadvantage. Obama has been getting lots of attention for bypassing the Republican-controlled Congress and using his unilateral powers, such as executive orders, to get his way. But his power to persuade is another vital weapon in the president's arsenal, since he can command media and public attention almost whenever he wants." -Kenneth T. Walsh, U.S. News & World Report, 2015 Which of the following statements best summarizes the author's argument?
Different chamber sizes and constituencies influence the formality of debate in each chamber
"Size explains much about why the two chambers differ. Because it is larger, the 435-member House . . . is a more structured body than the 100-member Senate. Indeed, the restraints imposed on representatives by rules and precedents are more severe than those affecting senators . . . . The Senate is more involved than the House in cultivating national constituencies, forming questions for national debate, and gaining general public support for policy proposals." -Walter J. Oleszek, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process Which of the following statements is most consistent with the author's argument in the passage?
Life terms, pending good behavior, for Supreme Court justices
"That inflexible and uniform adherence to the rights of the Constitution, and of individuals, which we perceive to be indispensable in the courts of justice, can certainly not be expected from judges who hold their offices by a temporary commission. Periodical appointments, however regulated, or by whomsoever made, would, in some way or other, be fatal to their necessary independence." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist no. 78, "The Judiciary Department," 1788 Which of the following government policies would the author most likely support?
John F. Kennedy's secret negotiations ending the Cuban Missile Crisis
"That unity is conducive to energy will not be disputed. Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man in a much more eminent degree than the proceedings of any greater number; and in proportion as the number is increased, these qualities will be diminished . . ." -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist no. 70, "The Executive Department Further Considered," 1788 Which of the following scenarios would be considered an example of how unity is conducive to energy in the executive branch, as defined by the author of the passage?
The Constitution is above ordinary laws
"The distinction between a government with limited and unlimited powers is abolished, if those limits do not confine the persons on whom they are imposed, and if acts prohibited and acts allowed, are of equal obligation. It is a proposition too plain to be contested, that the constitution controls any legislative act repugnant to it; or, that the legislature may alter the constitution by an ordinary act. Between these alternatives there is no middle ground. The constitution is either a superior, paramount law, unchangeable by ordinary means, or it is on a level with ordinary legislative acts, and, like other acts, is alterable when the legislature shall please to alter it." -John Marshall, decision in Marbury v. Madison(1803) Which of the following statements is most consistent with Marshall's argument in this passage?
The executive branch has too much power in implementing foreign policy
"The mystique of inside information—"if you only knew what we know"—was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy . . . "The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know . . . "The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." -Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, which aimed to give Congress more say in whether US troops were deployed abroad
"The mystique of inside information—"if you only knew what we know"—was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy . . . The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know . . . The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." -Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following governmental policies would the author most likely support?
The rapid response necessary after a threat of nuclear war
"The mystique of inside information—"if you only knew what we know"—was a most effective way to defend the national-security monopoly and prevent democratic control of foreign policy . . . The power to leak meant the power to tell the people what it served the government's purpose that they should know . . . The power to withhold and the power to leak led on inexorably to the power to lie. The secrecy system instilled in the executive branch the idea that foreign policy was no one's business save its own, and the uncontrolled secrecy made it easy for lying to become routine." -Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973 Which of the following scenarios provides the best justification for an expansive interpretation of presidential power?
Signing statements go beyond the president's expressed constitutional powers
"The president may be convinced that a piece of legislation is unwise. But his judgment as to its un-wisdom is not a legal reason for his declining to execute it. (It may be a reason to veto it, and one of the objections to signing statements is that they are vetoes not subject to override.) And the president may have a definite view as to what the legislation means, and that view might include conclusions as to its constitutionality, but his is not the view that counts. He may be the commander in chief, but he is not the interpreter in chief." Stanley Fish, "Who's Afraid of Presidential Signing Statements?" 2007. Source: New York Times Which of the following statements best summarizes Fish's argument?
Technology such as broadcast media gives the president an avenue to rapidly respond to a majority of American citizens about political issues
18-34 - 67% 35-39 - 82% 60+ - 86% Source: ABC/Washington Post poll, September 20, 2001 Which of the following statements is reflected in the data in the table above?
Brown v. Board of Education
1954 case that overturned Separate but Equal standard of discrimination in education.
Baker v. Carr
1961 case that est. one man one vote. this decision created guidelines for drawing up congressional districts and guaranteed a more equitable system of representation to the citizens of each state
Shaw v. Reno
1993 case, NO racial gerrymandering; race cannot be the sole or predominant factor in redrawing legislative boundaries; majority-minority districts.
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission
A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to groups that make independent political expenditures.
Pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction
A Supreme Court precedent approving mandatory busing of students to ensure greater racial integration in public schools throughout the South could be viewed as interfering with state powers under the Constitution, and as creating law rather than interpreting it. Which of the following could Congress do to limit the Supreme Court's power in response? a. Send the case back to a lower court b. Exercise oversight authority over rulings of individual justices c. Pass legislation changing the Court's jurisdiction d. Filibuster decisions made by the Supreme Court
Pass legislation changing the court's jurisdiction
A Supreme Court precedent banning prayer in schools could be viewed as interfering with state powers under the Constitution, and as creating law rather than interpreting it. Which of the following may Congress do to limit the Supreme Court's power?
four
A case will be placed on the Court's docket when ________ justices agree to do so.
legislate in the way that he or she thinks is best for the constituents
A congressperson who pursued a strict delegate model of representation would seek to
government corporation
A government agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.
Refuse to implement the decision
A president believes the Court has overstepped its constitutional authority by requiring state legislatures to redraw congressional districts to address partisan gerrymandering. Which of the following could the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power in response?
a select committee is convened for a specific and temporary purpose, while a standing committee is permanent
A select committee is different from a standing committee because ________.
the state courts are unable to come up with a decision
A state case is more likely to be heard by the federal courts when ________.
nominate and gain confirmation for their cabinet and hundreds of other officials
A very challenging job for new presidents is to...
the speaker of the house becomes president
According to the Presidential Session Act of 1947, if both the President and Vice President should die then
22nd
After Franklin D. Roosevelt's election to four terms as president, which constitutional amendment was passed to limit the number of terms a president could serve?
Patronage
After a hard-fought election, President Greene appoints a major campaign donor as ambassador to Greece.
Federalism
All of the following places limits on the powers of Congress EXCEPT
Amtrak
An example of a government corporation is________.
These appointments do not require Senate confirmation
Appointments to the White House staff are often uncontested for which of the following reasons?
As entitlement costs grow, discretionary spending opportunities will decrease
Based on the information in the pie charts, which of the following is the most likely implication of entitlement and discretionary spending as a portion of the federal budget?
district and circuit courts
Besides the Supreme Court, there are lower courts in the national system called ________.
both civil and criminal law
Both state and federal courts hear matters that involve ________.
To perform services that respond to market forces but are too important to the public to be allowed to fall
Briefly explain why government might create a government corporation.
The ability of executive departments and agencies to make choices about how to enforce public policy
Bureaucratic discretionary authority is best defined as which of the following?
Write guidelines about how much violence can be depicted during times children are likely to be watching TV
Congress passes a law reducing the amount of violence that children can be exposed to on television. Which of the following actions can the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) take to implement this measure?
Pork barrel legislation
Congressman Chidi Anagonye has proposed an Agriculture Appropriations bill that would fund important agricultural food programs and food services. While the bill was in committee, Congresswoman Eleanor Shellstrop added an amendment to the bill that would send $250,000 to her district in Arizona for an Arizona Fried Shrimp Institute. She says she will only vote for the bill if it includes the funds for her district. This is an example of which of the following?
four
During George Washington's administration, there were ________ cabinet positions.
A guideline issued by the federal bureaucracy, providing specific details about how a policy will be implemented
Every year, the Seafair Air Show performance takes place in Seattle, Washington. To protect guests attending the festival, Congress passed a law designating the area a safety zone. In response, the Department of Homeland Security created a regulation requiring the Coast Guard to enforce the boundaries of the safety zone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The action taken by the Department of Homeland Security is an example of which of the following?
earmarks/pork
Funding appropriations that are specifically designated for a named project in a member's state or district.
the larger size of the House
House leaders are more powerful than Senate leaders
John Adams expanded the war powers by waging undeclared war, Thomas Jefferson negotiated the purchase of Louisiana from France, and James Monroe took direct control of foreign policymaking when he issued the Monroe Doctrine.
How did presidents who served in the decades directly after Washington expand the powers of the presidency?
The selection of the candidate with fewer electoral votes triggered the rise of party control over nominations.
How did the election of 1824 change the way presidents were selected?
Presidents of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries might make speeches or publish letters in newspapers across the country. These methods may have been effective in their day, but not in comparison to the ability of modern presidents with television, radio, and the Internet at their disposal.
How were presidents in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries likely to reach the public? Were these methods effective?
Necessary and Proper Clause in Article I
In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, which regulates the amount of pollutants there can be in waters of the United States and the quality standards for surface waters. Which of the following constitutional provisions granted Congress the power to pass environmental protection laws like the Clean Water Act?
The power that individual bureaucrats and agencies have to make choices about how to implement existing laws
In 2010, Congress passed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which gave the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) more power to regulate and enforce securities laws. In response, the Securities and Exchange Commission created the Office of the Whistleblower which is responsible for gathering information from people who know of a company committing securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission's ability to decide how much money is awarded to whistleblowers is an example of which of the following?
least dangerous
In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton characterized the judiciary as the ________ branch of government.
stare decisis
In standing by precedent, a judge relies on the principle of ________. (letting the decision from previous instances stand)
Congress cannot reach a compromise
In which of the following scenarios is the president most likely to use an executive order to make important policy?
When the opposing party holds a small majority in Congress
In which of the following scenarios is the president most likely to use the veto to limit the power of Congress?
they feared the opportunities created for corruption
Many at the Continental Congress were skeptical of allowing presidents to be directly elected by the legislature because ________.
Holding a hearing and subpoenaing high-level officials of the Department of Transportation
Members of the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure are concerned over increased accidents on national highways.
at the state level
Of all the court cases in the United States, the majority are handled ________.
Neither sign nor veto the bill, allowing it to die
On the last day of its session, Congress passes a law that the president strongly opposes. Which of the following may the president do to limit the power of Congress?
filing amicus curiae briefs
One of the main ways interest groups participate in Supreme Court cases is by ________.
Ex post facto laws
Outlaws acts after they have been committed
The patronage system leads to corruption
Political cartoon depicting Andrew Jackson, who championed granting offices to party supporters, riding a pig. Which of the following best describes the message in the political cartoon?
The Great Depression
President Franklin D. Roosevelt expanded the powers of the the presidency largely as a result of
Negotiate an executive agreement with the heads of the Middle Eastern governments
President Hudson's administration wants to limit the development of chemical weapons in key nations in the Middle East, but Congress is unlikely to back a formal treaty. Which of the following is an action the president may take to accomplish their policy agenda?
premier position to pressure through public appeal
President Theodore Roosevelt's concept of the bully pulpit was the office's...
d. All of the above
Presidential Power has expanded over the years for the following reasons: a. the population of the United States has grown over the years from approximately 4-million people to almost 314 million people today b. Article II, Section 1 grants the executive power to the President c. Article Il, Section 3 makes the President responsible for enforcing Federal laws d. All of the above
below 50%
Presidents often leave office with approval ratings..
amended
Saying a bill is being marked up is just another way to say it is being ________.
broad discussion of policy issues
Senate races tend to inspire ________.
The politico model
Senator Leslie Knope plans to vote in favor of two major bills. The first bill is about buying some land in Indiana and turning it into a national park. The second bill will ban any fast food restaurant from serving a 128-ounce soft drink. 21,000 constituents have called her asking her to vote against the second bill, but no constituents have called her about the national park bill. Senator Knope decides to vote in favor of the first bill, but listens to her constituents and votes against the second bill. Which model of representation do her actions embody?
The trustee model
Senator Ramirez listens to her constituents' wishes on every piece of legislation, but always votes her conscience, even if it goes against her constituents' wishes on pieces of legislation they care about. Which model of representation do her actions embody?
Federal employees are more likely than private sector employees to have master's degrees
Source: The Heritage Foundation Based on the data shown in the table, which of the following statements is true?
the chamber votes for cloture
Stopping a filibuster requires that ________.
restrict the power of the President of the United States to remove certain office-holders without the approval of the Senate
Tenure of Office Act of 1867
party loyalty
The "spoils system" allocated political appointments on the basis of ________.
Engel v. Vitale
The 1962 Supreme Court decision holding that state officials violated the First Amendment when they wrote a prayer to be recited by New York's schoolchildren.
Roe v. Wade
The 1973 Supreme Court decision holding that a state ban on all abortions was unconstitutional. The decision forbade state control over abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy, permitted states to limit abortions to protect the mother's health in the second trimester, and permitted states to protect the fetus during the third trimester.
Pendleton Act of 1883
The Civil Service Commission was created by the ________.
Merit Systems Protection Board
The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 created the Office of Personnel Management and the________.
15 Executive Departments
The Executive Office of the President includes all of the following EXCEPT:
opening government records to citizen scrutiny
The Freedom of Information Act of 1966 helps citizens exercise oversight over the bureaucracy by________.
Large and small states
The Great Compromise successfully resolved differences between ____________.
Iron triangles
The House Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) work together to achieve policies that benefit veterans.
The trustee model
The Republican Party in the House of Representatives has recently proposed a new tax bill that would cut corporate taxes for the top 1% of Americans. Congressman Ron Swanson, a libertarian, has decided to vote for the bill even though a recent poll of his district shows that 56% of his constituents do not support the new tax bill. Which model of representation do his actions embody?
one chief justice and eight associate justices
The Supreme Court consists of ________.
an appeals court
The Supreme Court most typically functions as ________.
enables it to declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional
The Supreme Court's power of judicial review ________.
increasing the number of minority members in Congress
The increasing value constituents have placed on descriptive representation in Congress has had the effect of ________.
nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate
The justices of the Supreme Court are ________.
the budget process
The key means of advancing modern legislation is now ________.
solicitor general
The lawyer who represents the federal government and argues cases before the Supreme Court is the ________.
Vice President of the United States
The official head of the Senate is the...
struggles for power between the president and the Congress
The passage of the Tenure of Office Act of 1867 was just one instance in a long line of ________.
must be confirmed by the senate
The people who make up the modern president's cabinet are the heads of the major federal departments and...
a filibuster
The practice that allows for unlimited debate in the Senate is called.
A member of the House must introduce the bill to the House floor
The president wants Congress to pass a new tax to help raise funds for a high-speed transcontinental train. Which of the following is the first step in the process of passing the bill?
districts are often drawn to benefit partisan groups
The process of redistricting can present problems for congressional representation because ________.
the local constituents tend to care about things that affect them
The saying "All politics is local" roughly means ________.
Article I
The structure of the legislative branch of government is set out in _____________ of the Constitution.
the 1930s and the 1960s
Two recent periods of large-scale bureaucratic expansion were ________.
Divided government has led to an increase in congressional refusal to confirm appointments of presidents of the opposite party
Use the excerpt to answer the question below. "Senators have increasingly used holds, their ability to block consideration of a nominee indefinitely, as a broader partisan weapon to keep presidents from filling key positions, including many qualified and usually noncontroversial nominees . . . . The confirmation rate of presidential circuit court appointments has plummeted from above 90 percent in the late 1970s and early 1980s to around 50 percent in recent years." Mann, Thomas E. and Norman J. Ornstein, It's Even Worse than it Looks, 2012 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
Judicial nominations can be contentious because of the lasting influence the people in those positions have after a president's term
Use the excerpt to answer the question below. "The defeat of Robert Bork's 1987 Supreme Court nomination was a watershed event that unleashed what Stephen Carter has called 'the confirmation mess.' There was no question that Bork was a highly qualified nominee. He was rejected not because of any lack of qualification, or any impropriety, but because of his stated judicial philosophy: how he would vote as a judge." John Maltese, "Anatomy of a Confirmation Mess: Recent Trends in the Federal Judicial Selection Process," 2004 Based on the text, which of the following statements would the author most likely agree with?
They give the President advice on national security, the economy, and a wide range of issues
What is the primary purpose of the White House Staff?
Politicians create coalitions to enact policy that has broad support from the public
What role do coalitions play in the policymaking process?
concurring opinion
When a Supreme Court ruling is made, justices may write a ________ to show they agree with the majority but for different reasons.
staff members
When members of Congress must vote on a bill that is non-ideological or one which they have no specific position, what are the most powerful influences?
whistleblowing
When reformers speak of bureaucratic privatization, they mean all the following processes except ________.
defer to the decisions of the elected branches of government
When using judicial restraint, a judge will usually ________.
Article 2
Which Article of the U.S. Constituion sets up the Executive Branch of government?
An apolitical, hierarchically, organized agency
Which describes the ideal bureaucracy according to Max Weber?
Guaranteed re-election
Which is NOT an advantage of incumbency?
Both A & B are true
Which of the below statements are true about Prime Ministers and U.S. Presidents? a. Prime Ministers are chosen by the legislature, but Presidents are voted on by the people b. If public opinion sours, a President will remain in office while a prime minister will resign from office c. Both a President and Prime Minister has the power to declare war
Legislative
Which of the branches of government is the least popular among Americans?
By choosing justices who change the ideological leanings of the court
Which of the following best explains how the president can limit the Court's power by appointing a new Supreme Court justice?
The Supreme Court must rely on the other branches of government to enforce its rulings
Which of the following describes a difficulty the judicial branch faces in the policy implementation process?
It has made it easier for the president to rapidly respond to political issues by appealing directly to the public
Which of the following explains how modern technology has changed the president's ability to respond to political issues?
Power to make laws
Which of the following is NOT considered a constitutional power of the president?
all of the above
Which of the following is a check that the legislative branch has over the courts? a) Senate approval is needed for the appointment of justices and federal judges. b) Congress may rewrite a law the courts have declared unconstitutional. c) Congress may withhold funding needed to implement court decisions. d) all of the above
A senator can slow down the legislative process
Which of the following is a consequence of holds applied to a bill in the Senate?
Greater professionalism in the bureaucracy
Which of the following is a consequence of the merit system in the bureaucracy?
Pass legislation to modify the impact of the decision
Which of the following is a legitimate course of action for Congress to take to place a restriction on the Supreme Court?
He appointed the heads of various federal departments as his own advisors.
Which of the following is a way George Washington expanded the power of the presidency?
Comparison B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the Senate and House of Representatives? A) Elected members are chosen by constituents of an entire state, Elected members are chosen by constituents in a local district based on population B) Designed to represent the population, Designed to represent states equally C) Confirms Supreme Court appointments, Ratifies treaties D) Has flexible floor debate rules that protect the minority, Has rigid floor debate rules that favor the majority
Comparison A
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the enumerated and implied powers of Congress? A) Establishing post offices, Banning the mailing of dry ice B) Maintaining a national bank, Coining money C) Regulating immigration, Creating a path to citizenship for immigrants D) Maintaining the armed forces, Declaring war
Comparison B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the expressed powers of the president and the powers of Congress? A) Appointing ambassadors, Interpreting the Constitution B) Negotiating treaties, Ratifying treaties C) Issuing signing statements, Levying taxes D) Pardoning impeached officials, Impeaching officials
Comparison A
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the powers of the judicial branch and the powers of the legislative branch? A) Interpreting the Constitution, Establishing inferior courts B) Vetoing legislation, Setting the budget C) Appointing Supreme Court justices, Confirming Supreme Court nominations D) Ratifying treaties, Negotiating treaties
Comparison C
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the president's formal and informal powers? A) Setting the agenda for Congress, Granting pardons B) Declaring war, Delivering the State of the Union address C) Vetoing legislation, Issuing executive orders D) Acting as Commander-in-Chief, Appointing Supreme Court Justices
Comparison B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the structure and function of the House of Representatives and the Senate? A) Members can delay the policy-making process through the use of a filibuster, Members can delay the policy-making process through the use of holds B) Responsible for proposing all tax bills, Responsible for ratifying all treaties C) Constituents of an entire state choose elected members, Constituents in a local district choose elected members D) Responsible for initiating all articles of impeachment, Responsible for scheduling bills for the floor of the House
Comparison B
Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the two court cases, Marbury v. Madison(1803) and Baker v. Carr(1961)? A) Declared that Congress had implied powers to carry out their enumerated powers, Established limits to Congress's power under the commerce clause B) Led to more power for the Supreme Court to check the other branches, Led to the "one-person, one-vote" judicial doctrine C) Ruled that national laws were supreme to state laws, Decided that federal courts could intervene and decide redistricting cases D) Decided that the Supreme Court could declare laws unconstitutional, Ended gerrymandering across the United States
Confirming ambassadors to foreign countries
Which of the following is an enumerated power Congress has in making foreign policy?
The president signs legally binding nuclear arms terms with Iran without seeking congressional approval.
Which of the following is an example of an executive agreement?
the power to override a presidential veto
Which of the following is an implied power of Congress?
Compromise between the two parties on congressional legislation
Which of the following is an intended consequence of ideological divisions within Congress?
Sometimes candidates unpopular with the party leadership reach the top
Which of the following is an unintended consequence of the rise of the primary and caucus system?
Government and private groups opposed to a proposal to run a pipeline through Native American land
Which of the following is the best example of an issue network?
subcommittees
Which of the following is the main organizational vehicle in the House and Senate?
Reject presidential nominees
Which of the following may the Senate do to limit the president's power?
Appoint new justices to the Supreme Court
Which of the following may the president do to limit the Supreme Court's power? a. Fire and replace Supreme Court justices b. Pass legislation changing the court's jurisdiction c. Veto parts of the Court's decision d. Appoint new justices to the Supreme Court
the acquisitive model (as resources dwindle, certain government agencies fight others to survive and advance their agendas)
Which of the following models of bureaucracy best accounts for the way bureaucracies tend to push Congress for more funding each year?
The president confers diplomatic recognition on the new nation of South Sudan
Which of the following scenarios would be considered a constitutional use of executive power?
Congress calls several high-level officials of the Department of Homeland Security to testify on cross-agency communication after September 11th
Which of the following scenarios would be considered congressional oversight?
The Supreme Court refuses to hear a case because the justices believe the issue should be solved by the legislative branch
Which of the following scenarios would most likely be considered judicial restraint?
Judges should limit the exercise of their own power to interpreting the Constitution according to its original intent
Which of the following statements best describes judicial restraint?
Divided government may result in the hold up or death of major policy because of ideology clashes between parties
Which of the following statements describes a difficulty the federal government faces in policymaking when there is a divided government?
By appointing new Supreme Court justices
Which of the following statements describes a way for the executive branch to limit the Supreme Court's power?
Congress can deny requests for funds to executive agencies during the budget process
Which of the following statements explains how Congress can use their power of the purse to restrict presidential power?
An executive order enhances the power of the president because it create laws without congressional approval
Which of the following statements explains how an executive order can cause conflict between the president and Congress?
It gives the president a direct line of communication to the national constituency to influence national policy
Which of the following statements explains how social media has enhanced the power of the presidency?
according to the state's population
While each state has two senators, members of the House are apportioned ________.
Set Federal jurisdiction
With regard to the federal judiciary, both houses of Congress have the power to do all of the following EXCEPT
judicial activism
a judicial philosophy in which a justice is more likely to overturn decisions or rule actions by the other branches unconstitutional, especially in an attempt to broaden individual rights and liberties
surge-and-decline theory
a theory proposing that the surge of stimulation occurring during presidential elections subsides during midterm elections, accounting for the differences we observe in turnouts and results
executive agreement
an agreement between the heads of government of two or more nations that has not been ratified by the legislature as treaties are ratified
senatorial courtesy
an unwritten custom by which the president consults the senators in the state before nominating a candidate for a federal vacancy there, particularly for court positions
amicus curiae
literally a "friend of the court" and used for a brief filed by someone who is interested in but not party to a case
Marbury v. Madison
the 1803 Supreme Court case that established the courts' power of judicial review and the first time the Supreme Court ruled an act of Congress to be unconstitutional
appellate courts
the appeals (appellate) courts of the federal court system that review decisions of the lower (district) courts; also called courts of appeals
circuit courts
the appellate courts of the federal court system that review decisions of the lower (district) courts
common law
the pattern of law developed by judges through case decisions largely based on precedent
enumerated powers of congress
the powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs
inherent powers
the powers neither enumerated nor implied but assumed to exist as a direct result of the country's existence
implied powers
the powers not specifically detailed in the U.S. Constitution but inferred as necessary to achieve the objectives of the national government
bully pulpit definition
the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
oversight
the right to review and monitor other bodies such as the executive branch
district courts
the trial courts of the federal court system where cases are tried, evidence is presented, and witness testimony is heard