charged with the responsibility of knowing each congressional members’ vote intentions before the official vote takes place.

Federally funded local projects attached to bills to help pass legislation through Congress

Federally funded local projects attached to bills to help pass legislation through Congress

most committees will write reports to accompany the bill to the floor explaining their actions and providing a comparison with current law.

take a vote on whether or not to report the clean bill to the chamber floor for further consideration.

A technique for preventing a vote in the Senate in which senators gain recognition to speak in debate and then do not relinquish the floor.

The limitation of debate on a measure before the Senate (requires the vote of 60 Senators).

n

In both chambers, the authority to call up bills for consideration on the chamber floor rests with the majority party’s leaders.

presidential rejection of congressional legislation

one of the most important legislative powers of the president

The President has ten working days after the bill is received to act on it

selection of the president also goes to the U.S. House, while the selection of the vice president is decided by the U.S. Senate

selection of the president also goes to the U.S. senate, while the selection of the vice president is decided by the U.S. House

The electors who ultimately cast votes for the President and Vice President are chosen in advance of the general election by political parties

electors who ultimately vote for someone other than for whom they pledged.

Those votes are sent to the President of the Senate who reads them before both houses of Congress on January 6th.

andrew johnson

JFK

bill clinton

donald trump

The Congress may impeach, try, and remove a federal judge, the President of the United States, the vice president, or any other civil officer of the United States for acts of “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors

During an impeachment investigation, the U.S. House of Representatives is similar to a grand jury in a criminal trial. It determines by a majority vote if a trial will take place.

The Senate conducts the trial with the Chief Justice of the United States (Supreme Court) presiding. A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required for conviction and removal from office

it does not have the force of international law and does not have to be honored when a new government is elected.

The right of members of the executive branch to have private communications among themselves that need not be shared with Congress.

compacts made between the President of the United States and the leaders or heads of a foreign government.

compacts made between the President of the United States and the leaders or heads of a foreign government.

that it does not have the force of international law and does not have to be honored when a new government is elected.

anticipated that the power to enter into treaties and alliances would be shared between the president and the Senate.

The framers anticipated that the power to enter into treaties and alliances would be shared between the president and the Senate

Senate ratification requires the approval of 2/3 of U.S. Senators

compacts made between the President of the United States and the leaders or heads of a foreign government.

When signing a bill into law, the president sometimes issues written statements expressing his views on those bills, including whether the president believes the bill to be unconstitutional in some areas

The framers anticipated that the power to enter into treaties and alliances would be shared between the president and the Senate.

Executive agreements are compacts made between the President of the United States and the leaders or heads of a foreign government

a presidential directive that has the force of law, though it is not enacted by Congress.

written statements expressing his views on those bills, including whether the president believes the bill to be unconstitutional in some areas.

wiping a record clean

removing someone from jail

national security council

national security community

congress

the people

president

The law requires the president to terminate the use of forces within 60 days (plus an additional 30 day withdrawal period) if Congress does not declare war, does not authorize force, or does not extend the period by law

president can deploy troops into foreign nations, and domestically during an emergency.

can deploy troops to maintain order or an essential service, to enforce a federal judicial order, or to protect civil rights.

necessary to allow presidents to exercise their expressed powers.

powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it.

powers are often asserted during wartime or national emergency.

specific powers granted by the Constitution to the president in Article II

not specifically expressed but are implied through the expansive interpretation of delegated powers.

necessary to allow presidents to exercise their expressed powers.

specific powers granted by the Constitution to the president in Article II

not specifically expressed but are implied through the expansive interpretation of delegated powers.

–Military

–Judicial

–Diplomatic

–Executive

–Legislative

president term last 4 years, no more than 2 terms

president term last 2 years, no more than 10 years

538

270

150

435

538

100

members originally selected by state legislators

voters begin to choose Electoral College members

there are effectively 51 mini-contests (50 states + DC) to win the general election.

all 50 states

7

9

14

10

natural born citizen

7 years

9 years

25

30

35

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America

The president must be a “natural born” citizen

indirect election through the Electoral College

chief of state, commander in chief, chief jurist, chief diplomat

war specialist, combat trooper, commander in chief

chief executive, chief legislator, chief politician

simply holds the bill without signing it during a time when the Congress has adjourned.

The President has ten working days after the bill is received to act on it. If Congress is out of session and the President does nothing, then the bill dies

presidential rejection of congressional legislation

2/3 majority vote in house and senate

3/4 majority vote in house and senate

218 signatures

The limitation of debate on a measure before the Senate (requires the vote of 60 Senators).

can end a filibuster

House rules set time restrictions on all forms of debate.

The error that occurs when a sample systematically includes or excludes people with certain attitudes or demographic characteristics.

Poor quality polls are the result.

It used telephone and car registration lists for their sampling

poor quality election polls

selection bias

random sampling

The pollster draws a small subset from the larger population.

The sample also must be large enough to provide an accurate representation of the population.

Normally, samples of 1,000 people are considered sufficient for accurately measuring public opinion through the use of surveys.

The error that arises in public opinion surveys as a result of relying on a representative, but small sample of a larger population.

The pollster draws a small subset from the larger population.

The questions need to be understandable to those taking the poll.

refers to statistical adjustments that are made to survey data after they have been collected.

What a pollster does if the data collection is complete, but the final sample is still not representative of the population

These adjustments are made to ensure that respondents in the dataset accurately reflect the demographics of the population.

The questions need to be understandable to those taking the poll.

what poor questioning can result in

The error in a survey response that is the result of: respondent confusion, ignorance, carelessness, or dishonesty, error attributable to the interviewer

Polls are often extremely accurate

The topic is familiar to the person taking part in the survey.

a poll of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations.

asks whom the voter actually voted for in the election.

asks whom the voter plans to vote for in the election

cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about the role of government

The questions are understandable to those taking the poll and the questions are not loaded 

your religious beliefs

people who support Governmental intervention in the economy, More economic equality, Expansion of federal social services, Greater concern for consumers and environment

–Support the social and economic status quo

–

–Are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas and economic arrangements

–

–Believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens’ freedom

–Support the social and economic status quo

–

–Are suspicious of efforts to introduce new political formulas and economic arrangements

–

–Believe that a large and powerful government poses a threat to citizens’ freedom

–Governmental intervention in the economy

–

–More economic equality

–

–Expansion of federal social services

–

–Greater concern for consumers and environment

emphasizes individual freedom and voluntary association with small government

emphasizes social or public ownership (i.e., ownership by the community) and strong government.

emphasizes social or public ownership (i.e., ownership by the community) and strong government.

active government involvement to reduce economic and social inequality.

emphasizes individual freedom and voluntary association with small government

want government actions to be as limited as possible in nearly all spheres of activity

want government actions to be as limited as possible in nearly all spheres of activity

emphasizes social or public ownership (i.e., ownership by the community) and strong government

A system with a classless and egalitarian society where there are no rich and poor.

An ideology that places the importance of the nation above all else, including the rights of individuals

A system with a classless and egalitarian society where there are no rich and poor.

argue that public ownership of industries leads to inefficiency and waste

argue that public ownership of industries leads to inefficiency and waste

Process through which underlying political beliefs and values are formed.

involves agents of socialization

social institutions, family and schools

childhood experiences

social networks

restuarants

Most people like their representative in Congress, but not the representatives outside of their district.

most people like their Congressman, but not the Congress as a whole.

Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents in solving problems with the federal bureaucracy or addressing other specific concerns.

Assistance provided by members of Congress to their constituents in solving problems with the federal bureaucracy or addressing other specific concerns.

Congressmen also have the advantage of local media coverage and name recognition

One reason for this is that passing a bill is extremely rare.

25

30

35

25

30

35

7

9

10

7

9

10

must be residents of the state in which the district they are representing is located.

must be residents of the state in which they are representing.

must be residents of the state in which they are representing.

must be residents of the state in which the district they are representing is located.

435

100

218

allowing for the direct election of our U.S. Senators

originally elected by state legislatures; today elected by people of state

House members are elected in districts apportioned based on population

process occurring after every decennial census that allocates congressional seats among 50 states

process of redrawing election districts; happens every 10 years to reflect shifts in population

process of redrawing election districts; happens every 10 years to reflect shifts in population

process occurring after every decennial census that allocates congressional seats among 50 states

Drawing boundary lines of congressional districts in order to confer an advantage on some partisan or political interest.

process occurring after every decennial census that allocates congressional seats among 50 states

Delegate model: Representatives should act and vote in accordance with the preferences of their constituents

Trustee model: Representatives should act and vote in accordance with the preferences of their constituents

Trustee model: Representatives should act and vote in accordance with what they think is best

Delegate model: Representatives should act and vote in accordance with what they think is best

Descriptive: This type of representation requires that the legislator is of a certain grouping that he or she represents

Substantive: This type of representation requires that the legislator is of a certain grouping that he or she represents

Descriptive: A legislator must consciously act for people and their interests, whether a member of that grouping or not.

Substantive: A legislator must consciously act for people and their interests, whether a member of that grouping or not.

Edward Burke

Martin Luther King Jr.

JFK

Descriptive

Substantive

anyone

the member who introduces it

It brings a brings a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from a committee and usually without cooperation of the leadership.

requires 218 signatures

only in the house

only in the senate

It brings a brings a bill out of committee and to the floor for consideration without a report from a committee and usually without cooperation of the leadership.

term given to a committee meeting during which members offer specific changes to the language of the bill in front of them

Federally funded local projects attached to bills to help pass legislation through Congress.

a meeting of supporters of a specific political party who gather to elect delegates to choose whom they believe should be the candidate in a given election.

organized by political parties

organized statewide event put on by the state government where voters cast a secret ballot for the candidate of their choosing

preliminary election (which uses only a secret ballot) that helps to determine who will be the nominees in the general election

a meeting of supporters of a specific political party who gather to elect delegates to choose whom they believe should be the candidate in a given election.

allows the Supreme Court to invalidate laws and actions taken by the other branches of government when they fail to abide by the U.S. Constitution.

A law can be stricken from the books if declared “unconstitutional” by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The highest-ranking court in the nation

established judicial review

If there is a guilty verdict, the defendant may appeal to higher court.

Usually, an appeal is heard in the state court of appeals; from there, appeals can go to state supreme court.

This is the first court to hear a case

The highest-ranking court in the nation

1

2

3

The person or party filing an appeal

must show trial court made legal error in its decision.

This is the first court to hear a case.

The President of the United States nominates all federal judges.

nominations must be confirmed by a majority vote in the U.S. Senate.

All presidents try to influence the courts by filling the courts with their judicial nominees

Presidents whose parties are in the minority in the Senate or who make a nomination at the end of their term face a greatly increased probability of substantial opposition.

a new justice would shift coalitions on the Court and thus affect policy outcomes

Judicial philosophy is of obvious importance.

strict construction and broad reading

party affliation

experience

residency

The idea that the U.S. Constitution can and should be interpreted in a narrowly literal sense, as it was written and understood by the framers.

An approach to interpreting the Constitution that allows its general principles to be widely applied to different cases in light of changing circumstances

aligns with republicians

An approach to interpreting the Constitution that allows its general principles to be widely applied to different cases in light of changing circumstances.

The idea that the U.S. Constitution can and should be interpreted in a narrowly literal sense, as it was written and understood by the framers.

aligns with democratic party

Grant

Lincoln

Jefferson

a well-established office for handling appellate litigation in the federal courts.

Court sides with the government, the solicitor general’s arguments become the law of the land.

These cases range from affirmative action to abortion rights and equal pay for women.

supervises the preparation of the government’s arguments in support of its position.

supervises the litigation of the federal executive branch.

well-established office for handling appellate litigation in the federal courts.

briefs supporting or opposing the efforts of other parties before the Court.

These filings tell the Court what the president's preferences are.

"friend of the court"

Courts apply statutes (laws) and legal precedents

prior case whose principles are used by judges as basis for their decision in the present case

The courts must rely on the president to enforce their decisions.

If presidents are dissatisfied with Supreme Court decisions, their first thoughts usually are focused on appointing new members with views similar to their own.

Presidents can also support efforts to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn a Court interpretation of the Constitution

Branch of law that regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishments for criminal acts.

Branch of law that regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishments for criminal acts.

The government is always the plaintiff

may be required to pay monetary damages for their actions.

may be required to pay monetary damages for their actions.

Branch of law that deals with disputes that do not involve criminal penalties.

Branch of law that regulates conduct of individuals, defines crimes, and specifies punishments for criminal acts.

A negotiated agreement in a criminal case between prosecutors and the defendant

The defendant agrees to plead guilty in return for the prosecutor’s agreement to reduce severity of the criminal charge.

Losers in civil cases cannot be fined or sent to jail, but may be required to pay monetary damages for their actions.

Organize and operate the government.

Develop issues and educate the public

Form coalitions with various organized interests.

Run for president

Most states require that new parties obtain the signatures of a specified percentage of registered voters to appear on the ballot

It is often very difficult for minor-party candidates to raise money.

This set of conditions becomes a vicious cycle.

electoral system in which the country is divided into geographic districts, and the candidates who win the most votes within their districts are elected.

There is a “winner-take-all

The principle that in a democracy with single-member districts and plurality voting, like the United States, only two parties’ candidates will have a realistic chance of winning political office

The principle that in a democracy with single-member districts and plurality voting, like the United States, only two parties’ candidates will have a realistic chance of winning political office

Most public officials in the United States are chosen in a single-member district.

electoral system in which parties receive a share of seats in parliament that is proportional to the popular vote they receive.

Vote for candidates in the Conservative Party – to defeat the candidates in the Progressive Party – and avoid “wasting” their votes.

occurs when two or more minority parties must join together in order to form a majority (50% + 1).

Vote for candidates in the Conservative Party – to defeat the candidates in the Progressive Party – and avoid “wasting” their votes.

Organizations of people who share common political beliefs and want to affect public policy through election activities and lobbying.

They may work for business corporations, labor unions, executive branch agencies, foreign governments, or private or public interest groups.

The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party.

The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party.

The group of citizens who identify with a specific political party.

A specific political party’s leaders and workers at the national, state, and local levels.

A specific political party’s leaders and workers at the national, state, and local levels.

The group of officeholders who belong to a specific political party and were elected as candidates of that party.

The political arm of an interest group that can raise money to contribute to campaigns or to spend on ads in support of candidates.

how interest groups organize themselves

Selective benefits are available to group members only.

There is a $5,000 maximum per election that a PAC can give to a candidate for federal office.

can accept a donation of no larger than $5,000 per person per year. Independent spending on ads, however, is unlimited.

can spend unlimited amounts on so-called “independent expenditures.”

It cannot make contributions to candidate, but it can raise unlimited amounts of money from its donors and use that money to spend unlimited amounts for partisan political ads.

an “independent expenditure only” committee.

It cannot make contributions to candidate, but it can raise unlimited amounts of money from its donors and use that money to spend unlimited amounts for partisan political ads.

There is a $5,000 maximum per election that a PAC can give to a candidate for federal office

Make a direct campaign contribution

can accept unlimited donations from individual donors.

can accept unlimited donations from individual donors.

Make a direct campaign contribution