Interactions Among Branches of Government: every key term you need (+ practice quiz)

More AP US Government guides

• Foundations of American Democracy
• Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
• American Political Ideologies and Beliefs
• Political Participation

Bicameral Congress

The two-house legislature: the House of Representatives (435 members, apportioned by population) and the Senate (100 members, two per state).

Enumerated Powers of Congress

Powers listed in Article I, Section 8, including taxing, borrowing, regulating commerce, declaring war, and coining money.

Power of the Purse

Congress's exclusive authority to tax and spend, giving it control over federal appropriations and a check on the executive.

Speaker of the House

Leader of the majority party in the House; sets the agenda, refers bills to committees, and is second in line for presidential succession.

Filibuster and Cloture

A filibuster is prolonged Senate debate to delay a vote; cloture ends it and requires 60 votes to invoke.

Committee System

Standing, joint, select, and conference committees that review bills, hold hearings, and shape legislation before floor votes.

Discharge Petition

A House procedure allowing a majority (218 members) to force a bill out of committee to the floor for a vote.

Filibuster vs. House Rules Committee

The Senate allows unlimited debate (filibuster); the House uses the Rules Committee to set time limits and terms of debate.

Pork-Barrel and Logrolling

Pork barrel is spending directed to a member's district; logrolling is vote-trading among members to pass each other's projects.

Mandatory vs. Discretionary Spending

Mandatory spending is required by law (e.g., Social Security, Medicare); discretionary spending is set annually by appropriations.

Formal Presidential Powers

Powers granted in Article II: veto, commander in chief, appointments, treaties, and pardons.

Informal Presidential Powers

Powers not explicitly listed, including executive orders, executive agreements, signing statements, and the bully pulpit.

Executive Order

A directive from the president that manages the operations of the federal government and carries the force of law without congressional approval.

Federalist No. 70

Hamilton's essay arguing for a single, energetic executive to provide decisive, accountable leadership.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of national visibility and media access to appeal directly to the public and pressure Congress.

Federal Bureaucracy

The departments, agencies, and commissions of the executive branch that implement and enforce laws and regulations.

Discretionary and Rule-Making Authority

Bureaucratic power to interpret laws (discretionary authority) and to create binding regulations (rule-making) that carry the force of law.

Iron Triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship among a congressional committee, a bureaucratic agency, and an interest group that shapes policy.

Oversight

Congressional review of the executive branch and bureaucracy through hearings, budget control, and the power to reorganize agencies.

Federalist No. 78

Hamilton's essay describing the judiciary as the 'least dangerous' branch, defending life tenure and judicial review.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Stare Decisis and Precedent

The principle that courts should follow prior rulings (precedent) to ensure stability and predictability in law.