AP®︎ U.S. Government & Politics: Topic 1.6 Flashcards

Division of legislative, executive, and judicial authority among Congress, the president, and the federal courts

Constitutional powers that allow each branch to restrain, modify, or review actions of the other branches

The Senate may approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties; treaties require approval by two-thirds of senators present

Congress’s authority to fund, limit, condition, or refuse funding for federal programs and executive actions

Congressional monitoring and investigation of the executive branch through hearings, records requests, questioning, and subpoenas

Military authority divided between the president as commander in chief and Congress, which declares war, funds the military, and regulates the armed forces

The judiciary’s authority to invalidate legislative or executive actions that violate the Constitution, established in Marbury v. Madison

The president may grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses, except in cases of impeachment

Madison’s argument that separation of powers and checks and balances make “ambition counteract ambition” and provide safeguards beyond elections

The many avenues created by divided authority through which stakeholders can influence policy, including Congress, the executive branch, agencies, and courts

A person, group, government, business, or organization with an interest in a policy outcome

A condition in which political institutions cannot agree on policy, causing government action to stall

Control of the presidency and at least one house of Congress by different political parties

Serious abuses of official power, violations of public trust, or grave misconduct that may justify impeachment, even without an ordinary criminal conviction

The president’s rejection of a bill passed by Congress, returning it with objections

Congress enacts a vetoed bill without presidential approval by a two-thirds vote in each chamber

The House’s formal accusation of a federal official, approved by a simple majority; it does not itself remove the official

Loss of office following conviction by two-thirds of senators present at a Senate impeachment trial