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Glossary

B

Bicameral

Criticality: 2

A legislative body composed of two chambers or houses.

Example:

The U.S. Congress is a bicameral legislature, featuring both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Bill

Criticality: 3

A proposed law presented to a legislative body for consideration.

Example:

Before it can become law, a bill to fund national parks must be introduced and passed by both chambers of Congress.

C

Cabinet

Criticality: 2

A group of advisors to the President, typically consisting of the heads of the executive departments.

Example:

The Secretary of State, a member of the Cabinet, advises the President on foreign policy matters.

Checks and Balances

Criticality: 3

A system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful by giving each branch powers to limit the actions of the others.

Example:

The President's power to veto a bill passed by Congress is a classic example of Checks and Balances in action.

Constitutional Amendment

Criticality: 1

A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution, requiring a rigorous ratification process.

Example:

Congress can propose a Constitutional Amendment to overturn a Supreme Court decision, though this is a rare occurrence.

E

Executive Agencies

Criticality: 2

Organizations within the Executive Branch that carry out specific functions to implement and enforce laws.

Example:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an Executive Agency responsible for ensuring the safety of food and drugs.

Executive Branch

Criticality: 3

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws and implementing policies, headed by the President.

Example:

After Congress passes a new environmental protection law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), part of the Executive Branch, would be tasked with ensuring its regulations are followed.

H

House of Representatives

Criticality: 2

The lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, consisting of 435 members whose representation is based on each state's population.

Example:

All revenue bills must originate in the House of Representatives, reflecting its direct connection to the people.

I

Impeachment

Criticality: 2

The process by which a legislative body formally charges a high-ranking government official, such as the President or a federal judge, with misconduct.

Example:

The House of Representatives has the power to initiate Impeachment proceedings against a President for 'high crimes and misdemeanors'.

J

Judicial Branch

Criticality: 3

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws and the Constitution, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.

Example:

If a state law is challenged as violating free speech, the Judicial Branch would determine its constitutionality.

Judicial Review

Criticality: 3

The power of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts to determine whether a law or government action violates the Constitution.

Example:

In a landmark case, the Supreme Court exercised Judicial Review to strike down a state law that infringed on civil liberties.

L

Legislative Branch

Criticality: 3

The branch of government responsible for creating laws, primarily composed of the U.S. Congress.

Example:

When citizens want to see a new law passed, like one requiring safer car seats, they would typically lobby members of the Legislative Branch.

P

Policy

Criticality: 3

Guidelines or rules set by the government to achieve specific goals or address societal issues.

Example:

A city council might implement a new policy to reduce plastic waste by banning single-use plastic bags in grocery stores.

Precedent

Criticality: 2

A legal principle or rule established by a previous court decision that is then followed by other courts in similar cases.

Example:

The ruling in Miranda v. Arizona set a precedent requiring law enforcement to inform suspects of their rights before questioning.

President

Criticality: 3

The head of the Executive Branch, serving as both head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

Example:

The President often uses executive orders to direct federal agencies on how to implement existing laws.

S

Senate

Criticality: 2

The upper chamber of the U.S. Congress, consisting of 100 members with two representatives from each state, regardless of population.

Example:

The Senate has the unique power to approve presidential appointments, such as Supreme Court justices.

Supreme Court

Criticality: 3

The highest court in the federal judiciary, serving as the final arbiter of legal disputes and constitutional questions.

Example:

The Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education fundamentally changed racial segregation laws in the United States.

V

Veto

Criticality: 2

The power of the President to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law.

Example:

The President decided to veto the new tax reform bill, sending it back to Congress for reconsideration.

Veto Override

Criticality: 2

The power of Congress to pass a bill into law despite a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

Example:

After the President's veto, Congress successfully achieved a Veto Override on the defense spending bill, making it law.