The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service. Makes decisions like when and what to deploy (troops and weapons) during times of war.

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

A presidential document or spoken announcement that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

implements laws made by Congress, implements Presidential policy initiatives, distributes information about public programs and services, regulates corporations

35 years old, born in the U.S., and has to have lived in the U.S. for 14 years

Presidential Term Length

Limits the president to two terms.

President's power to grant mercy or lenience through a pardon or commuted sentence.

A declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.

The power of the President to appoint important government officers (federal judges, agency directors, etc.). President nominates candidate, which then must by confirmed by simple majority in the Senate (a check on President's power).

The President can recommend Bills to Congress through the State of the Union Address or by other Presidential Actions, like using the media

The role of the president in influencing the making of laws, create the path of public policy, and set the agenda for congress

term for the President as the ceremonial head of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation. Attends dinners, hosts balls, honor people at funerals, etc.

term for the president as the leader of his or her political party

Term for the President as the representative of the people, working for the public interest, being a model for all US citizens of how to act, be patriotic, and live as the best "American"

the president's executive role as the head of federal agencies and the person responsible for the implementation of national policy

term for the President as the monitor of the nation's economic condition, responsible for the overall health of the economy, proposes the federal budget

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.

The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government. Decides how the laws of the US are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisors to help run the Executive Branch

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform. This style of pre-elections has open meetings where discussion and debate can occur

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.

number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency

members of the electoral college that cast the actual votes for president. Number per State is based on representation in Congress.

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform.

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Requires at least a 2/3 majority in both houses to become a law without the approval of the president. This is one way that the legislative branch checks the executive branch.

commander in chief of the armed forces, make treaties and nominate ambassadors with Senate approval), confer diplomatic recognition on other governments through receiving ambassadors

Present information on the state of the union to Congress, Recommend legislation to Congress, Convene both houses of Congress, adjourn Congress, veto legislation

Execute federal laws, Nominate officials as provided for by Congress, Request written opinions of administrative officials, Fill administrative vacancies

Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, Nominate federal judges (approved by Senate)

An interpretation of the U.S. constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decisions (particularly decisions of the Supreme Court). A judicial philosophy in which judges make bold policy decisions, even charting new constitutional ground.

Philosophy proposing that judges should interpret the Constitution to reflect what the framers intended and what its words literally say. A judicial philosophy in which judges play minimal policymaking roles, leaving that duty strictly to the legislatures

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional. When the supreme court rules that a new law violates the constitution or if a law is constitutional. Can overturn State decisions or legislative acts.

An example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action. Judges make decisions based on how similar cases have been decided in the past.

There are no official qualifications

nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate

life on good behavior

Authority of court to review a decision of a lower court or administrative agency.

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

At least four justices of the Supreme Court must vote to consider a case before it can be heard

justice on the Supreme Court who presides over the Court's public sessions

a statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case

A written opinion explaining why a justice agrees with the decision of the court, but for reasons different from those stated in the majority opinion.

A statement written by a justice who disagrees with the majority opinion, presenting his or her opinion

Legal cases brought by the state intending to punish violations of the law.

Court cases that involve relations between individuals and organizations, such as a divorce action, or a suit for damages arising from an automobile accident or for violation of a business contract.

Order by the Supreme Court directing a lower court to send up the records of a case for review

written documents in which attorneys explain, using case precedents, why the court should find in favor of their client, which can be hundreds of pages long

a court's list of cases to be heard

private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy

A person who is employed by, and acts for, an organized interest group or corporation to try to influence policy decisions and positions in the executive and legislative branches.

Common ideology, shared resources and benefits, organizational leadership, not enough time, money, or loud enough voice to make change on one's own.

The three-way alliance among legislators, bureaucrats, and interest groups to make or preserve policies that benefit their respective interests. A close relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Advocates for people in a particular profession, such as doctors, lawyers, and teachers

an organization that seeks a collective good that will not selectively and materially benefit group members

a group with the primary purpose of promoting the financial interests of its members

An organization that attracts members by appealing to their interests on a coherent set of controversial principles, political convictions, or moral principles.

Focuses on one narrow topic, such as immigration or drunk driving

Donating, Endorsing Candidates, Informing

Interest groups will officially support candidates during elections

When lobbyists visit with members of Congress and local officials to shares reasons to support or oppose an upcoming bill.

Legislative Branch

Executive Branch

Judicial Branch

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

Members of the U.S. Senate

25 years old, citizen for at least 7 years, & live in the state you will represent.

30 years old, U.S. citizen for at least 9 years, live in the state represented

Term length for a Senator

term length for a member of the House of Representatives

tax deduction on one house, franking privileges, office expenses, immunity for statements made in Congress, retirement benefits, health care

the privilege of sending mail without payment of postage

The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population.

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the political party in power.

An office mandated by the Constitution. The Speaker is chosen in practice by the majority party, has both formal and informal powers, and is second in line to succeed to the presidency should that office become vacant (after the Vice President). Most likely to have the closest relationship with the President concerning bills and legislation.

Tax bills to raise money for the government. These bills MUST start in the House of Representatives.

powers directly stated in the constitution (also called enumerated powers or delegated powers)

Powers not specifically mentioned in the constitution but inferred from the expressed powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

The powers of the national government that exist based on the sovereignty of a country.

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding with budget decisions.

An ongoing process of congressional monitoring of the executive branch to ensure that they are carrying out the law as intended. The Congress monitors the bureaucracy and its administration of policy mainly through holding hearings and making budget decisions.

Cannot be charged with a crime if it was not illegal when you committed the crime

Chairpersons are ALWAYS part of the majority party. They set timelines for and head the various committees in the Senate and House. They set the agenda for individual committees and can bury policies.

A small group in Congress that deals with a specific topic. Most of the work of Congress happens in here. Most members of Congress serve on at least five of them.

The Head of the Senate. Can only cast a vote in order to break a tie.

working class, non-college educated, women, people of color, people with disabilities, indigenous people.

Institutional advantages held by those already in office who are trying to fend off challengers in an election. In House and Senate, this is the BIGGEST predictor of who will win a Congressional election.

votes based on desires of their constituents

votes based on their own judgement and conscience

casts a vote primarily based on their political party platform

Lawmaker who attempts to balance the basic elements of the trustee, delegate, and partisan roles

A governing unit whose seats are never all up for election at the same time, like the U.S. Senate

The people who are represented by elected officials. The residents of a congressional district or state.

Exclusive power of Congress to regulate interstate and foreign trade and buying/selling of goods

the constitutional authority of the House to charge the President, Vice President, and other "civil officers" with treason, bribery, or other "high crimes and misdemeanors"

The U.S. Constitution gives the Congress the power to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, to make rules regulating the armed forces, and to declare war

Empowers Congress "To establish Post Offices and post Roads".

Congress can protect intellectual property by issuing patents for inventions and copy writes for creative works.

Power to regulate and coin money and determine value

Standing committee of the U.S. Senate that has oversight responsibilities over the federal judiciary and is responsible for conducting hearings to consider judicial nominees

a permanent committee of the United States House of Representatives that makes recommendations to the House on all bills that would raise revenue

A committee of the United States House of Representatives. It is in charge of setting the specific expenditures of money (spending) by the government

Congressional committees appointed for a specific purpose and limited time period

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to yield the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue.

Introduced, sent to committee, debated on the floor of Congress, voted on, passes through both chambers of Congress, sent to President, President signs

one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress. Or, chambers in Congress are divided by political party

An association or members of Congress based on party, interest, or social group such as gender or race. Usually function as legislative bridge-builders between different interests and law.