AP USG&P Unit 5: Vocabulary Terms I

Match the following

• administrative powers

• The authority granted to non-elected officials within the executive branch to implement and enforce laws, including rule-making and adjudication, often with considerable discretion.

• bureaucratic powers

• Metrics used to gauge public support for a political figure, institution, or policy often expressed as a percentage of respondents who approve of the subject.

• budget deficit

• Occurs when a government's total spending exceeds its total revenue over a specific period, usually a fiscal year, leading to the need for borrowing to cover the shortfall.

• approval ratings

• The power of the President over the personnel of the administrative services. This is through his power of appointment and removal. Also, The President's authority over the activity of the administrative officers and agents based on his constitutional power to take care that the laws are faithfully executed and exercised.

• bureaucracy

• The complex, hierarchical system of non-elected officials within the executive branch responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and regulations.

Match the following

• congressional authority

• A group of members from either the House of Representatives or the Senate that focuses on specific areas of policy, legislation, or oversight.

• congressional elections

• The electoral processes through which members of the United States Congress, including the House of Representatives and the Senate, are chosen by voters every two years.

• congressional committee

• The permanent, professional branches of the government administration (excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians) where employees are hired and promoted based on merit rather than political connections.

• Council of Economic Advisors

• A three-member body within the Executive Office of the President, established by the Employment Act of 1946. that advises the President on economic policy and prepares the Economic Report of the President.

• civil service

• The power granted to the legislative branch of the US government, allowing it to create laws, regulate commerce, and exercise oversight over the executive branch.

Match the following

• federal debt

• Financial assistance provided by the government to support a specific industry or economic sector.

• federal budget

• A government-sponsored program that provide mandated or guaranteed benefits to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as age, or income level. Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP are all examples.

• entitlement programs

• The total amount of money that a government owes to creditors.

• federal subsidies

• A financial plan that outlines the government's expected revenues and expenditures for a specific period.

• grants

• A program that provides financial aid to individuals or organizations for specific purposes, often with conditions attached.

Match the following

• income tax

• a close relationship between government agencies, congressional committees and special interest groups that influences policy-making.

• gridlock

• a government agency that operates like a business corporation, providing market-oriented services and generating revenue to fund its operations, often in areas where private businesses might not be profitable. 

• incumbency effect

• the advantage held by an incumbent politician in an election, often due to established name recognition and access to resources.

• government corporations

• a tax levied by the federal government on the earnings of individuals, corporations, and other entities, used to fund government operations and programs, and is a progressive tax where higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income. 

• iron triangle

• a situation in which there is difficulty in passing legislation due to conflicting interests among political parties or factions.

Match the following

• lobbying

• the systematic procedure by which Congress (the legislative branch) drafts, debates, amends, and votes on bills (proposed laws), ultimately leading to the creation or modification of laws. 

• legislative veto

• a practice where legislators exchange support for each other's proposed legislation, often involving trading votes, to secure passage of bills that might otherwise lack sufficient individual support. 

• lobbyists

• a legislative veto is a provision that allows a congressional resolution (passed by a majority of Congress , but not signed by the President) to nullify a rulemaking or other action taken by an executive agency .

• lawmaking process

• individuals or organizations that attempt to influence lawmakers on behalf of a particular interest.

• logrolling

• the act of individuals or groups attempting to influence government policies and decisions through direct communication with lawmakers, officials, or their staff. 

Match the following

• merit principle

• a system where hiring and promotion within the civil service are based on skills, knowledge, and demonstrated performance, rather than political connections or favoritism. 

• national security

• he protection and defense of a nation's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests, encompassing military defense, economic stability, and diplomatic relations, all of which shape government policies and actions. 

• Office of Management and Budget

• a presidential staff agency that acts as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies, ensuring consistency with the President's policies and priorities. 

• National Security Council

• Established by the National Security Act of 1947, is the President's primary advisory body on national security and foreign policy matters, integrating domestic, foreign, and military policies. 

• midterm election

• General elections that occur in the middle of a president's four-year term, typically held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. These elections are crucial as they determine the composition of Congress, including all 435 members of the House of Representatives and one-third of the 100 Senate seats. The outcomes can significantly impact the legislative agenda and reflect public sentiment regarding the sitting president and their policies.

Match the following

• power to persuade

• a formal, government-made choice or action aimed at addressing a specific problem or issue, often implemented through laws, regulations, or funding priorities. 

• pork-barrel legislation

• organizations that raise and spend money to elect or defeat political candidates, primarily at the federal and state levels. They play a crucial role in modern elections by funding campaigns and influencing political outcomes, which ties into the dynamics of campaign finance, congressional elections, and public opinion measurement.

• pocket veto

• a special type of veto exercised by the President of the United States, occurring when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned. This action effectively kills the bill without formally vetoing it, as Congress cannot override a veto when not in session. The pocket veto serves as a strategic tool for the President, allowing them to avoid taking a public stance on controversial legislation.

• policy decision

• the ability of executives in presidential regimes to influence the decisions, opinions, or behavior of others, particularly within the contexts of their cabinets and bureaucracies. It involves not just formal authority but also the skillful use of negotiations, public appeal, and political capital to achieve desired outcomes.

• Political Action Committee (PAC)

• refers to the practice in which lawmakers allocate government funds for local projects, primarily to benefit their constituents and secure political support. This type of legislation is often criticized as it can lead to wasteful spending and favors certain districts over others, raising questions about fairness and the overall efficiency of government spending. Pork barrel projects can enhance a politician's image as someone who brings resources back to their community, but they can also contribute to a culture of patronage and cronyism within the legislative process.

Match the following

• War Powers Resolution

• the highest executive office in the United States, held by the president, who serves as the head of state and government. This role carries significant power and responsibility, including executing laws, conducting foreign affairs, and serving as commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

• Presidency

• first adopted in 1973 over the veto of President Richard Nixon, establishes presidential reporting requirements and parliamentary procedures intended to reaffirm the constitutional role of Congress in committing the United States into armed conflict abroad.

• uncontrollable expenditure

• he collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on certain issues, policies, and political figures at a specific time. It plays a crucial role in shaping government actions, influencing elections, and determining the legitimacy of political institutions

• public opinion

• the power of an official, particularly the president, to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislative body. This authority allows the president to prevent the enactment of laws that they disagree with, thus playing a crucial role in the legislative process and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.

• veto

• mandatory spending, like Social Security and Medicare, that are difficult to cut or control due to existing commitments and legal obligations