Important Terms Constitution and Federalism Expressed (enumerated) Powers: powers specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution, eg.

g. coining money, imposing taxes, regulatin interstate commerce Implied Powers: powers of the federal government beyond enumerated; elastic/necessary and proper clause Reserved powers: not specifically granted to national govt or denied to states(10th amendment) Cooperative/fiscal federalism: national & state govt work together to complete projects Categorical grant: funds provided for specific and clearly defined purpose Block Grant: funds granted to states for broadly defined purpose; contribute to growing number of state/local government employees Mandates: rules telling states what guildelines; unfunded mandates require state and local governments to provide services or comply with regulations without the provision of funds Devolution: transfer responsibilities of governing from federal to state and local Political Beliefs, Public Opinion, and Voting Political culture: Set of widely shared political beliefs and values Public Opinion: attitudes about institutions, leaders, political issues, and events Political parties, interest groups, and mass media Single-member district: electoral district from which one person is chosen by voters for each elected office Critical election: election when significant groups of voters change traditional patterns of party loyalty Party realignment: majority party is displaced by minority party, ushering in new party era Horse-race Journalism: tendency of media to cover campaigns by emphasizing how candidates stand in polls instead of where they stand on issues Congress Standing committees: permanent subject-matter congressional committees; handle legislation and oversee bureaucracy Conference committees: temporary bodies formed to resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill House Rules Committee: sets guidelines for floor debate; gives each bill a rule placing bill on legislative calendar, limits time for debate, determines type of amendments that will be allowed House Ways and Means Committee: handles tax bills (specific to House) Seniority: unwritten rule in both houses reserving committee chairs to committee members with longest records of continuous service Logrolling: tactic of mutual aid and vote trading among legislators Oversight: congressional review of activities of an executive agency, department, or office Delegate Role of Representation: Congress members cast votes based on wishes of constituents Presidential Elections, Presidency and Bureaucracy

527 group: tax-exempt organization created to influence political process; not regulated by FEC Issue network: network that includes policy experts, media pundits, congressional staff members, and interest groups who regularly debate an issue Supreme Court Writ of Certiorari: Supreme Court order directing lower court to send up record in a given case for its review Rule of Four: Supreme Court will hear case if four justices agree to do so Solicitor General: responsible for handling all appeals on behalf of US govt to Sup. Court Judicial Restraint: philosophy of using precedent and Framers original intent to decide cases Judicial Activism: Supreme Court must correct injustices when other branches refuse Federal Budget Fiscal Policy: raising/lowering taxes, government spending programs Office of Management and Budget (OMB): responsible for preparing budget that president submits to Congress Civil Liberties (individuals) and Civil Rights (groups) Strict Scrutiny: classification by race and ethnic background is inherently suspect, must be justified by compelling public interest Key Content Review The Constitution Limitations on Majority Rule; Ways the Constitution Limits Majority Rule An insulated senate: senate as bulwark against irresponsible majorities in the House of Reps; staggered service in Senate made it more resistant to popular pressures Framers believed Senate would check popular passions expressed in HoR An independent Judiciary Judicial is insulated by from popular control; appointed by president and confirmed by the Senate! Removed only through impeachment Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages: Promotes diverse policies that encourage experimentation and creative ideas Porivdes multiple power centers Keeps government close to the people The Federal Bureaucracy Cabinent Departments There are 15 cabinet departments, each headed by secretary except for Department of Justice All 15 chosen by pres, approved by senate Cabnet secretaries ooften develop strong loyalty to departments, not close presidential advisors

Independent Regulatory Agencies Created to protect public by regulating key sectors of economy Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Federal Resrve Board (FRB) are best known IRAs Led by small commissions appointed by the president and confirmed by Senate; commissioners cannot be removed by president during their terms of office Federal Reserve Board Set monetary policy, such as bank interest rates, controlling inflation, regulating money supply, and adjusting bank reserve requirements Great independence