The Legislative Branch Unit 3 Study Guide

Separation of Powers A government principle by which the legislative, judicial, and executive powers are essentially held by different groups and people

Checks and Balances Congress may pass laws and they go into effect if the President signs the law. However the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances System which requires the different branches of the federal government to work together to seek the common good

Separation of Powers The structure of the government of the U.S. which allows the Legislative Branch to write laws, the Executive Branch to enforce the laws, and the Judicial Branch to interpret the laws.

Veto Power The Executive Branch may veto Congressional legislation as its check on the power of Congress

Voting Rights Act of 1965 A measure which eliminated literacy tests, which often disqualified potential voters

Plessy v. Ferguson The Supreme Court decision which upheld the principle of separate but equal

“Melting Pot” of Cultures People and cultures combine to a degree in which a homogenous culture is created from many

Affirmative Action Legislation which provided aid to groups of people previously discriminated against

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke The first Supreme Court case dealing with the constitutionality of affirmative action

Bringing Charges of Impeachment A special power delegated only to the House of Representatives

Approving Presidential Appointments and Treaties A power delegated only to the U.S. Senate. This is an example of a Legislative Branch “check” on the Executive Branch

Vice-President Presiding officer of the U.S. Senate

Over-riding a Presidential Veto Requires a 2/3 vote of each house of Congress and represents a Legislative Branch “check” on the Executive Branch

Implied Power A power that is not specifically given to the government but which is allowed because of the “Necessary and Proper Clause” in the Constitution. Ex: The power to establish national speed limits

Impeachment The investigation that takes place when an elected official is accused of illegal activity

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Responsible for overseeing the trial, if a President is impeached, according to the U.S. Constitution

Impeachment Conviction According to Article II of the U.S. Constitution, a 2/3 vote is required in the Senate to convict a president or government official

The Bill of Rights Places the GREATEST limit on the power of the federal government

U.S. Constitution The highest legal authority in the U.S. government

Lack of Interest The MAIN reason that people choose not to exercise their civic responsibility of voting

Democratic and Republican Parties The two political parties that have been in power the longest in the history of the United States

Interest Groups Unlike political parties, they normally concern themselves with specific issues or problems. Primary goal is to influence public policy.

Single Issue Party As the name implies, it is centered on issues relating to one topic. Ex.: The Right-to-Life Party

Political Party Purposes: Co-ordinate policies Join like-minded people Inform voters of political positions

Federalists Party The first American political party to successfully have a President in office

Two-party System This term best describes the American political party system because for most of our history two political parties have competed for office.

Donkey/Elephant Images which came to represent the two major parties in the U.S. Donkey = Democrats Elephant = Republicans

Lobbyist Primary role is to influence government policy on specific issues

Tenth Amendment Protects the rights of American people to express their political views

Teach for America A major, non-governmental organization, which uses volunteers to teach in low- income communities in the United States

Political Action Committees (PACs) Kind of organization that can legally solicit campaign contributions from individuals and then funnel those donations to candidates for political office

Interest Groups Their most effective method of change is campaigning for a candidate who supports their position

Public Policy A course of action taken by the government to address a specific problem or issue

American Election Campaigns Most likely ways to reach voters: Facebook Create a web site Twitter

Public Opinion Polls May be taken before, during or after an election. They are not always accurate but are based on scientific standards. They are often used to focus government attention on specific problems or issues

Lawmakers – Positive Public Opinion Lawmakers want to keep opinions of them high because if public opinion is low they might not get re- elected for another term.

Public Agenda Issues important to the public that people want addressed by the government

The Internet Played the single GREATEST role in the spread of information in the 21 st Century.

Glittering Generality Technique that uses statements that sound good but do not mean anything. Ex.: I can restore economic prosperity to our nation.

Governor Deals with issues focused in one state