AP GoPo Mega Vocab Part 1

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amicus curiae brief

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Literally, a 'friend of the court' brief, filed by an individual, interest group or organization to present arguments in addition to those presented by the immediate parties to a case in hope to influence the decision of the case.

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Appointment Power

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The power of the President & Senate to appoint important government officers (federal judges, agency directors, etc.). President nominates candidate, which then must be confirmed by simple majority in the Senate (check on President's power). Subject to senatorial courtesy rule for local appointments (district judges).

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Baker v. Carr

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Courts have the power to evaluate the constitutionality of redistricting - something that the courts can decide.

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Bill of rights

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First ten amendments addressing civil liberties.

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bipartisan

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Agreement between the two major political parties about a bill, policy, or issue.

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Block grants

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Money from the national government that states can spend within broad guidelines determined by the government.

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Brown v. Board of Education

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Case of separate but equal (established in Plessy v. Ferguson) determined there could be no legal segregation in public education.

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Brutus No. 1

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Power should remain within the states and that small republics were best = fear that the federal government's power would become limitless and not represent the large population.

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Caucus

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A group of members of Congress with shared goals or interests - Democrats or Republicans; or a method for choosing delegates in a national nominating convention instead of the primary election.

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Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

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Campaign spending is speech protected by the First Amendment - free speech applies to corporations, labor unions, and other organizations = struck down the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act / McCain-Feingold Act which prohibited soft money spending which was determined to be free speech.