QOD 112912 1 2 3 4 How long

QOD 11/29/12 (1) (2) (3) (4) How long are senators elected to office? How long are representatives elected to office? How long is the president elected to office? How long are judges appointed to office?

Unit IV: Three Branches Vocabulary

Delegate Theory of Representation The idea that a legislative representative should exactly mirror his or her constituents’ views in deciding on public policy

Enforcement Powers The powers of Congress to enforce laws

Bill A proposed law placed before a legislature for approval

Cloture A rule of the US Senate stipulating that debate on a legislative proposal to be cut off and the proposal voted upon by the full Senate if sixty members agree

Gerrymandering Drawing the boundaries of an electoral district to favor a political party

Implied Powers Those powers authorized by a legal document that are not expressly stated but can be inferred from expressly stated powers

Inherent Powers Those powers ingrained so deeply in an institution that they need not be stated

Trustee Theory of Representation The idea that a legislative representative should use his or her best judgment in making decisions on public policy, regardless of constituent opinion

Filibuster The practice of refusing to surrender the floor during a debate to prevent the Senate from voting on a proposal

Impeachment Charging a public official with a crime while in office and bringing him or her to trial

Lobbying The practice of attempting to affect legislation by influencing legislator

Pocket Veto A presidential practice that allows a bill to die if not signed within ten days and Congress is adjourned

Power to Investigate The power of Congress to undertake formal inquiries into matters of public business and public policy

Resolution A formal statement of a decision or expression of opinion put before or adopted by an assembly such as US Congress

Seniority Length of service

Commander in Chief Highest ranked person in the military forces

Executive Order Directives issued by the president

Executive Power The authority to carry out and enforce the law

Bureaucracy Governmental departments and agencies and their staffs, principally civil service members and political appointees

Cabinet The group of advisors to the president composed of the heads of the departments of the executive branch and certain other officials

Civil Service Employment in federal , service, or provincial, and local governmental agencies

Independent Agencies Administration organizations located outside the structure of executive departments

Quasi-judicial Powers Actions of an agency, board, or other government entity in which there are hearings, orders, judgments, or other activities similar to those of courts

Quasi – legislative Powers Having a partly legislative character by possession of the right to make rules and regulations having the force of law

Advisory Opinion In some judicial systems, a formal opinion on a point of law given by a judge or court when requested by a legislature or government official

Appeal The bringing of a court case from a lower court to a higher court in an attempt to have the lower court’s decision reversed Grounds for appeal – errors of law, fact, or procedure

Litigant A party involved in a lawsuit

Appellate Jurisdiction The legal authority of a court to hear appeals from a lower court

Jurisdiction The power or authority to hear cases and make decisions

Landmark Decision A legal decision that constitutes a turning point or stage Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, KS (1954)

Methods of Constitutional Interpretation Interpretive methods employed by the Supreme Court justices when considering constitutional issues of some cases

Original Jurisdiction In some cases, such as those in which a state is a party, the Supreme Court has the right to consider the facts and the law in a case without it having first been passed on by lower court

Writ of Certiorari A type of writ seeking judicial review of a legal decision

Initiative A proposed law placed on the ballots of some states for voter decision.

Local Governments Government of a specific local area, such as state subdivisions authorized by states or governments of cities, counties, or towns

Recall A process of using special or general elections for removing elected officials from office

Referendum Placing a measure approved by a legislature on a ballot for popular approval