Question | Answer |
constituents | a person from a legislature's district |
exclusive jurisdiction | authority of only federal courts to hear and decide cases |
concurrent jurisdiction | authority for both state and federal courts to hear and decide cases |
foreign policy | a nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations |
original jurisdiction | the authority to hear cases for the first time |
joint committee | includes members of both houses |
executive order | a rule or command that has the force of law |
precendent | a ruling that is used the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case |
rider | a completely unrelated ammendment tacked to a bill |
docket | a courts calendar showing the schedule of cases it is to hear |
ex post facto | a law that would allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed; You can't make an act a crime later, after the act has already been committed |
special interest group | an organization of people with some common interest who try to influence government decisions |
brief | a written document explaining the position of one side or the other |
stare decisis | the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases |
electoral college | a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president |
merit | hiring people in government jobs on the basis of qualification |
White House | where the president lives; presidential mansion |
census | a population count taken by the census bureu |
appeals court | a court that reviews decisions made in a lower court |
Impeach | to accuse government officials of misconduct in office |
amnesty | a pardon to a group of people |
judicial review | the power of the supreme court to say whether any federal state or local law or government action goes against the constitution |
elastic clause | clause in Article I section 8 of the constitution that gives congress the power to carry out expressed power |
repreve | an order to delay a person's punishment until a higher court can hear a case |
lobbyist | a representative of an interest group who contacts lawyers or other government officials directly to influence the policy making |
pocket veto | the president's power to kill a bill if congress is not in session by not signing it |
dissenting opinion | a statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his opinion |
electoral votes | votes needed to win a presidential election; need at least 270 out of 538 to win |
president pro tempore | the person who acts as the chairperson of the Senate |
Select Committee | created to do a special job for a limited period of time |
War powers Act | president must notify Congress within 48 hours when troops are sent into battle |
Speaker of the House | the most powerful leader within the House of Representatives |
foreign aid | money, food, military assistance, or other supplies given to help other countries |
Marbury v. Madison | established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review |
subpeona | a court order requiring someone to appear in court |
succession | the ascension to power by one ruler after the death, resignation, or removal from office of another |