Civics Glossary

British law asserting the independence of the court system from the monarchy. Along with the British Bill of Rights (1689) and the Petition of Right (1629), this law helped shape the British constitutional system.

A set of policies and procedures aimed at corrected the effects of past discrimination against women and minorities, especially in employment and education. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is the major government agency which deals with affirmative action issues. Affirmative action has been a controversial issue among those who view it as unconstitutional "reverse discrimination" (see Bakke v. Regents of the University of California, 1978) and those who feel that it is a necessary, if flawed, way of ensuring equality in hiring and school admissions. One of the consequences of the 1989 case, Wards Cove Packing Company v. Atonio, was that the Supreme Court shifted the burden of proof of discrimination from the employers to the employees. This overturned the previous precedent that required employers to prove that hiring and employment practices were non-discriminatory with regards to gender or race. Nevertheless, Congress passed a law in 1991 which overturned the Wards Cove decision. The future of affirmative action policies is still unclear.

Independent federal agency which reports directly to the President of the United States. Established by the African Development Foundation Act, it became operational in 1984, and is headed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. The African Development Foundation provides assistance and support for indigenous, community-based self-help organizations in their efforts to solve their development problems.

Part of the Department of Agriculture. It assists farmers in their efforts to form cooperatives and maintain them, especially those geared to marketing crops and purchasing farm supplies.

Created in 1972 by the Secretary of Agriculture as part of the Department of Agriculture. This agency helps farmers market their products. In addition, it provides daily reports on crop conditions, and other agricultural market data, such as demand and prices. The Agricultural Marketing Service enforces laws against fraud and other deceptive marketing practices.

Part of the Department of Agriculture. It conducts research programs, both basic and applied, on all phases of agriculture; and provides grants to support research and other activities at state agricultural experiment stations and land-grant universities. The Agricultural Research Service also provides funding for the Cooperative Extension Service, which promotes "beyond the classroom" education and other program, especially in rural areas, through land grant universities and county extension agents. In addition, the Agricultural Research Service administers grants and other forms of financial aid for higher education in food and agricultural sciences, and in veterinary medicine. .

Person who is not a citizen of the country in which he or she lives.

An alteration or addition to a document. Although over 6,000 constitutional amendments to the US Constitution have been proposed in Congress, only 27 have been adopted, the most recent having been ratified in 1992. According to the Constitution, there are four ways in which it can be amended. An amendment can be proposed to the states either after a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress, or by a vote in two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once it has been proposed to the states, it can be ratified either by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or by conventions in three-fourths of the states. All 27 amendments, except the 21st Amendment, were proposed by a two-thirds majority of Congress and ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.

A written brief which is submitted to the Supreme Court by a third party, either an individual or organization. An amicus curiae allows the opinions of the third party, with regards to the case at hand, to be considered by the court. "Amicus curiae" means "friend of the court" in Latin.

Confused state of society in which there is no government and no laws. .

Most recently established in 1977, part of the Department of Agriculture. This service conducts inspections of animals and plants to prevent pests and disease, or to control and eradicate them once they are discovered. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has the authority to impose quarantines to stop shipments in interstate and foreign commerce. The service also licenses and regulates the manufacture and sale of chemical and non chemical products used to prevent or treat animal and plant pests and diseases. .

A division of the Department of Justice. This division handles court cases which involve violations of antitrust laws and other federal laws related to business practices. For the past twenty years the Antitrust Division has intervened in a merger only if they believed consumer prices would rise if a merger goes through. .

Formal request that a higher court hear a case that has been decided in a lower court. State Supreme Courts are the highest courts which can hear appeals for cases involving state law, while the US Supreme Court is the highest court which can hear appeals for cases involving federal or constitutional law. An court appeal to a state appellate court are generally made on procedural grounds, i.e., on the basis that some aspect of proper legal procedure was not observed in the original trial. Anyone can petition the US Supreme Court to take a case under advisement. However, the Court is only likely to accept a case if it involves issues related to the constitutionality of the lower court's decision, or state versus federal powers. .

Appellate court - a court which hears cases which have been decided in lower courts. For cases involving state law, most states provide state appellate courts, while federal circuit courts ("courts of appeal") deal with most appeals related to federal law. The State Supreme Court is the highest appellate court, the "court of last resort," for cases involving state law, while the US Supreme Court is the highest appellate court, the "court of last resort," for cases involving federal law. .

Chosen by one person or a small group of people. Some positions in government are filled by people who are appointed by other public officials. Supreme Court justices, members of the President's Cabinet, and directors of many federal agencies are appointed by the President. All people appointed by the President have to be approved by the Senate, through the confirmation process. . .

Consists of the US Army, US Navy (which includes the Marines), the US Air Force, and the US Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is at service in the Department of Transportation, except in times or war or when the President directs, at which time it operates as part of the Navy. The Army, Navy and Air Force are at service under the Department of Defense. . .

Articles of Confederation - pre-Constitution document, ratified in 1781, creating the first government of the United States. The Confederation, established by the Articles, was a loose union of states with a weak Congress and no executive or judicial branch. .

- Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development - an official of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development administers grant programs to help state and local governments in their efforts to improve urban housing conditions. . . .

Assistant Secretary for Housing - also called the Federal Housing Commissioner. An official of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Federal Housing Commissioner administers three types of programs: mortgage insurance programs; loans programs to facilitate the housing projects for the elderly and the handicapped; and the Rent Supplement Program, in which the federal government pays part of the monthly rents of low-income families. .

Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing - part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing administers public housing programs for low-income families, as well as housing programs for areas on or near Native American reservations. He or she also enforces laws which curb interstate land sale fraud. .

Right to influence, control or direct the actions of other people. Authority can be given ion law, by custom, by understood rules of morality or by consent of the person under authority. . .

The net difference between the value of American exports and imports. If the country has exported more than it has imported, then the United States has a positive or favorable balance of trade. If the country has imported more than it has exported, then it has a negative or unfavorable balance of trade. .

"two rooms." The term refers to a legislative body, such as the US Congress or the British Parliament, that is divided into two separate houses. .

A form or draft of a proposed law presented to a legislature. In the federal government, if a bill is passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is presented to the President. If the president signs it or does nothing for ten days, it becomes a law. If the bill is vetoed, then it cannot become a law unless the Congress overrides the veto. . . .

Legislative act declaring that a person is guilty of a crime and setting punishment without the benefit of a formal trial. The Constitution forbids the federal government (Article I, Section 9, clause 3) and the state governments (Article I, Section 10, clause 1) from passing bills of attainder. . .

Another name for the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. These ten amendments protect the fundamental freedoms of Americans from any infringement by the government . . .

Pre-Revolutionary War protest against the British Tea Act (1773), which placed a tax on tea. On December 16, 1773, a number of Bostonian patriots, dressed as Mohawks, boarded three British ships and dumped 342 chests of tea, worth about $75,000, into Boston Harbor. More . .

Documents given to a court by the attorneys trying a case. These documents contain summaries of the issues in the case, the laws relevant to the case, and the arguments which support the position taken by the attorney on behalf of his or her client.. . . .

Established basic principles of constitutional government in Britain; including Parliament's supremacy over the monarchy, the right to have a jury trial, and the prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. Along with the Petition of Right 629) and the Act of Settlement (1701), this law helped shape the British constitutional system. . . .

Unwritten framework for the functioning of the British government, made up of common law, acts of Parliament and political traditions and customs. . .

Founded in 1972, it is one of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. It is responsible for administering and enforcing federal laws on firearms and explosives; as well as laws dealing with the production, use, and distribution of alcohol and tobacco. .

Part of the Department of Commerce. bureau collects, analyzes and publishes data to help examine the state of the national economy. It issues reports on the gross national product (GNP), which is the dollar value of all the goods and services produced in an economy in a year. .

Founded in 1862, it is one of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. It designs, engraves, and prints all paper money, treasury bonds and notes, as well postage stamps, food coupons ("food stamps"), and other official federal financial items.. .

Founded in 1824 as part of the War Department, and moved to the Department of the Interior in 1849. The bureau administers social assistance programs, including education and public health, for Native Americans, especially those living on or near reservations. .

Founded in 1946, part of the Department of the Interior. This bureau is responsible for controlling and managing the over 300 million acres of public lands; largely owned by the federal government and located in the Far West and Alaska. The bureau also manages timber, oil, gas, minerals, rangeland, recreation, and other resources from public lands. It leases and sometimes sells public lands, and leases the Outer Continental Shelf lands for exploration and development of resources such as oil and gas.. . .

Part of the Department of Justice. The Bureau of Prisons operates the federal penal system, including the five federal penitentiaries and other federal correctional facilities.. .

Fully established in 1923, part of the Department of the Interior. The bureau builds and operates water projects aimed at reclaiming arid and semiarid lands in western states. Most projects have several purposes, including: water conservation, storage, and irrigation; hydroelectric power generation; flood control; municipal and industrial water supply; navigation; and outdoor recreation. . .

Established as a permanent office in 1902, part of the Department of Commerce. The bureau takes a census of the population every ten years, as the Constitution requires for the purpose of determining the distribution of seats in the House of Representatives. In addition, the bureau collects, analyzes and publishes a variety of statistical studies on the people and economy of the nation. .

Established in 1940, it is one of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. The Bureau manages the public debt and acts as supervisor over most federal borrowing. .

A large, complex administrative structure. Such structures exist in organizations such as governments and businesses. The executive branch of the federal government has a complex bureaucracy, with a hierarchy of bureaus and agencies. .

Board of advisors to the President, composed of the heads of the executive Cabinet departments and any other officials whom the President chooses. The Constitution does not mention a Cabinet, but Washington created one by meeting with his Secretaries of State, Treasury, and War on a frequent basis. James Madison coined the term "president' cabinet" to describe the meetings. The tradition has been maintained in every subsequent American Presidency. Today, the Cabinet includes: the Secretary of State; the Secretary of the Treasury; the Secretary of Defense; the Attorney General; the Secretary of the Interior; the Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of Commerce; the Secretary of Labor; the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; the Secretary of Transportation; the Secretary of Energy; and the Secretary of Health, and Welfare; the Secretary of Health and Human Services; Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. .

Part of the Executive Office of the President. The Cabinet departments help enforce the laws and policies of the federal government. The head of each department is a member of the President's Cabinet. The Cabinet departments are: the State Department ; the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense; the Justice Department; the Department of the Interior; the Department of Agriculture; the Commerce Department; the Labor Department; the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Department of Transportation; the Department of Energy; the Department of Health and Human Services; Department of Education and Department of Veteran Affairs. .

Effort to get a person elected to an office, usually a political office. Candidates running for office use commercials and advertisements, as well as personal appearances and speeches to help get themselves elected. Often, candidates will choose a campaign manager to coordinate their campaign. .

Person who declares that he or she wants to be elected to a position, such as President, Senator, Governor, or Mayor. Candidates use campaigns to let voters know that they are running for office, and to convince people to vote for them. .

Building in Washington, D.C. in which Congress has its sessions. The term "capital" is often used to refer to a buildings in which a state legislatures meets. .

Building in Washington, D.C. in which Congress has its sessions. The term "capital" is often used to refer to a buildings in which a state legislatures meets. .

A small hill in Washington, D.C., on which the Capitol was built. Capital Hill is sometimes called "the Hill." Since the Capital building houses Congress, the term "Capital Hill" is often used to refer to the Congress and its activities. .

Manner of organizing society based on the wealth, privilege, profession or inherited rank of individuals. .

Meeting of members of a political party to determine the party's official position on issues, and to choose party leadership. In legislative caucuses, or conferences, members of a party in a chamber of legislature meet to choose the party leadership in that chamber and to agree on a party position on upcoming legislation. In local party caucuses, party members in a ward or town meet to choose party officials and candidates for public office, as well as determine the party platform on local issues.

Part of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it conducts research and treatment programs for preventing and controlling communicable (contagious) and other diseases.

One of the President's closest advisors. He or she directs the activities of the entire presidential staff. .

Created by Congress in 1947. The CIA functions under the direction of the National Security Council. It serves to: coordinate information-gathering activities of all federal agencies, especially those in the Departments of State and Defense; analyze and evaluate information collected; and keep the President and National Security Council updated on all the information obtained. The CIA also conducts intelligence operations across the world, in its efforts to obtain information. It is a very secretive organization, and even Congress is largely uninformed of most of its activities, except for a few key members of Congress.

Part of the federal court system. There are 13 federal circuit courts: one for the District of Columbia, one for patent and trademark cases, and 11 for the rest of the country. Circuit courts, also called "courts of appeal," deal with all appeals of decisions made in district courts, for both civil and criminal cases. In addition, circuits courts may review decisions of independent regulatory agencies and departments, such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

British legal institution which created a formal agreement detailing the rights and responsibilities of both landowners and those bound to the landowners.

Excessive dedication to a cause, especially unquestioning enthusiasm for military glory or aggressive patriotism .

Principle used in the Constitution and developed through precedent that allows the three branches of government to share some responsibilities, and allows each branch some authority over the activities of the other branches. Some examples of checks are: the President's veto power, which is a check on Congress; Congress' power to override a veto; which is a check on the President's power and the Supreme Court's right of judicial review, which is a check on Congress.

Person who is a member of a political society and, thus, owes allegiance to the society's government and is entitled to the rights and protections available from that government. A person who is born in the United States is automatically an American citizen, and eligible people from other countries can apply to become citizens through a process called naturalization.

Status that requires the individual to pledge allegiance to the government and entitles that individual to the rights and protections provided by the government.

The study of the roles, rights and responsibilities of government and citizenship.

A lawsuit brought against one person or group to enforce or protect a private right; prevent a private wrong (tort); or obtain compensation for a private wrong (tort). This is different from a criminal case, which involves the committing of a crime, or public wrong.

The refusal to obey certain laws, in order to influence those with power to have them changed. Civil disobedience is characterized by the use of nonviolent techniques, such as boycotting, picketing, and the refusal to pay taxes. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the most famous American proponents of civil disobedience as a way to make laws more just. .

A division of the Department of Justice. The Civil Division deals with most of the civil cases in which the United States is a party, i.e., all civil cases which are not under the jurisdiction of any other division of the Department of Justice.

Set of laws which deal with private rights of individuals. Laws which are not civil laws are criminal laws.

Personal freedoms, most of which are protected by the Bill of Rights from government interference.

Laws designed to protect individuals or groups from having their civil rights violated by other individuals, organizations or groups.

Organized efforts to get laws passed and enforced which protect people and groups from having their constitutional rights violated.

System of hiring government employees on the basis of merit, rather than political considerations. The term is also used to refer to government employees outside the military.

Constitutional amendments passed after the Civil War to free African Americans living under slavery, give them citizenship, and guarantee their rights as citizens. The Thirteenth Amendment was passed in 1865; the Fourteenth Amendment was passed in 1868; and the Fifteenth Amendment was passed in 1870.

Manner of organizing society so that people are given certain rights and privileges according to their social class, and people in one class are prevented from moving into other classes.

Phrase used in the Supreme Court decision, Schenck v. United States (1919). It refers to the idea that the government has the right to punish individuals who engage in speech or actions which can be shown to present a serious and immediate danger to the nation or the interests of the government. Schenck had been convicted for having distributed leaflets urging people not to register for the draft during World War I. Although such "speech" would have been within his rights in peacetime, the Supreme Court ruled that the fact that he engaged in that activity in a time of war made his actions pose a "clear and present danger" to the nation.

Documents given by Britain to authorize the establishment of colonies in North America.

The interests of a society as a whole, also called "public good" and "general welfare.".

Collection of British legal doctrines based on the court decisions of judges appointed by the British Crown since the Middle Ages.

Powers granted to the national government by the Constitution, but not denied to the states. One example is the right to lay and collect taxes.

Written explanation of the opinion of one or more judges in a court who support the decision of the majority of the court, but do not agree on the basis for the majority decision.

System of government in which nations or states agree to join together under a central government, to which the nations or states grant certain powers. The United States had a confederate system of government under the Articles of Confederation, from 1781 to 1789.

Power given to the Senate to approve or disapprove presidential nominees to executive or judicial positions. The Senate needs a simple majority to confirm or reject a nominee, according to Article II, Section 2, clause 2 of the Constitution. The Senate has refused to confirm only about nine Cabinet nominees, although many more nominees have been withdrawn because they were likely to be rejected by the Senate.

Chief legislative body of the United States federal government. The Congress is a bicameral legislature, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. It is responsible for making all federal laws. In Article I, Section 8, the US Constitution gives the Congress a number of powers, including collecting taxes, regulating commerce, and providing funding for the military.

Agreement by the people of a nation to subject themselves to the authority to a government. Natural rights philosophers, such as John Locke, believe that any legitimate government must draw its authority from the consent of the governed.

Group of residents represented by a public official or any elected officer.

Federal courts formed by Congress under the authority of Article III of the Constitution, to exercise "the judicial power of the United States." They include the US Supreme Court, the Courts of Appeals, the District Courts, and the Court of International Trade.

Idea that the structure and powers of government should be based upon a written or unwritten constitution, which should set limits to the power of the government.

Established by the Employment Act of 1946. It analyzes the national economy in order to advise the President on economic policy. The Council consists of three members, appointed by the President and approved by the Senate, one of whom the President designates as Chairperson.

Agreement between two or more individual people or groups, to which all parties are bound.

A public wrong. There are two kinds of crimes: felonies and misdemeanors. A felony is the most serious type of crime (e.g., murder), which is punishable by a large fine, imprisonment, or death. A misdemeanor is a relatively less serious crime (e.g., speeding), which is punishable by a small fine or a short jail term.

Legal proceedings brought against a person or group accusing that person or group of having committed a public wrong, or crime. A criminal case involves a trial, while, with a civil case, the term "lawsuit" is more generally applied. In a criminal case, the State is always one of the parties - the prosecutor.

A division of the Department of Justice. The Criminal Division handles most of the criminal cases in which the United States is a party, i.e., all criminal cases which are not under the jurisdiction of any other division of the Department of Justice.

Set of laws which deal with actions which are considered dangerous to the public welfare or morals, or to the interests of the state. Laws which are not criminal laws are civil laws.

Document listing American colonial grievances against Britain was drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), John Adams (1735-1826), Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), Roger Sherman (1721-1793), and Robert R. Livingston (1746-1813) and signed by John Hancock (1737-1793) on July 4, 1776 at the Second Continental Congress. Most of the other 55 delegates, from all thirteen colonies, signed it on August 2, 1774. With elegance and clarity, the document described the natural rights of all people, listed the "injuries and usurpations" inflicted by the King and Parliament on the people of the American colonies, and declared that, due to the failure of the King and Parliament to promote the rights of its American subjects, the thirteen colonies officially declared themselves "free and independent states." In the eyes of Britain, this amounted to an act of treason, and all the signers of the document would have been in danger of a torturous execution if they had lost the war that backed up the assertions of the Declaration.

Also called "enumerated powers." Delegated powers are those which are specifically listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution as being granted to the Congress.

Rule by the people. In the United States, democracy refers to a system of government which derives its power from the consent of the majority and governs according to the will of the majority.

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1979. This department administers and coordinates most federal funding for education, and aims to ensure educational access to all children in the United States. In addition, the Department of Education promotes educational excellence through special programs. Among the offices in the Department of Education are: the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education; the Office of Post secondary Education and the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs.

One of the two major political parties in the United States. Different members of the Democratic Party hold different political views, and the party platform may change from administration to administration. Nevertheless, the Democratic Party has generally draws support from working class people, women and minorities; and has traditionally supported expanding the level of government participation in the society and economy.

Established in 1889, one of the Cabinet departments. The Department of Agriculture is headed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The USDA is responsible for agricultural conservation and rural development projects; agricultural marketing, credit, research and education; and crop stabilization. The divisions and agencies of the Department of Agriculture include: the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service; the Consolidated Farm Service Agency, the Foreign Agricultural Service; the Rural Utilities Service, the Rural Housing and Community Development Service, the Rural Business and Cooperative Development Service; the Food and Consumer Service; the Food Safety and Inspection Service; the Agricultural Research Service, the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service; the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration; and other administrative offices including: the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, the Civil Rights Enforcement; Information Resources Management; Operations; Personnel; Administrative Law Judges; Judicial Officer; and the Board of Contract Appeals.

One of the Cabinet departments, established in 1903. The Commerce Department is the center of the federal government's programs to promote the well-being of the economy and encourage business. Its mission is to encourage technological advances, help promote economic growth and encourage international trade. The agencies of the Department of Commerce include: the Bureau of the Census; the National Bureau of Standards; the Patent and Trademark Office; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the United States Travel and Tourism Administration; the National Technical Information Service; the Minority Business Development Agency; the Bureau of Economic Analysis; the International Trade Administration, the Bureau of Export Administration, the Economic Development Administration, and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1947. The department was formerly known as the Department of War, but later was combined with the Department of the Navy to create the Department of Defense by President Truman. The DOD provides military forces to protect the security of the United States and prevent war. It is headed by the Secretary of Defense, and includes: the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Joint Chiefs of Staff; the unified combatant commands; the Army, Navy (including the Marines) and Air Force; and other offices and agencies.

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1977 by combining all federal energy agencies into a Cabinet-level department. The department supports research and other projects on topics such as nuclear energy, nuclear weapons, the marketing of federal power; energy conservation and radioactive waste management. The Secretary of Energy heads the department; which is largely divided into three sets of programs: National Security and Environmental Management; Science and Technology and Energy. .

Established in 1953, one of the Cabinet departments. This department is headed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It performs administrative, research, educational, and regulatory functions for welfare, public assistance, and public health programs. The Department of Health and Human Services includes the following agencies: the Public Health Service; the Administration on Aging, the Administration for Children and Families, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the Office of Consumer Affairs. .

Established in 1965, one of the Cabinet departments. Headed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, it conducts insurance, rent subsidy and grant programs in housing and urban development. The department is divided into three sections, each under the administration of an assistant secretary: Community Planning and Development; Housing; and Public and Indian Housing.

Established in 1849, this Cabinet department is headed by the Secretary of the Interior. The Department of the Interior functions as the major conservation agency for the federal government. Its major duties include: managing public lands, which consist of over 500 million acres; promoting the conservation, development, and use of mineral, water, fish, and wildlife resources; reclaiming arid lands for farm use; operating federal hydroelectric power facilities; administering the national parks system; and being responsible for the Native American Reservations. The bureaus and services that make up the Department of the Interior are: the National Park Service; the National Biological Survey; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the Bureau of Land Management; the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement; the Minerals Management Service; the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; the Bureau of Reclamation; the United States Geological Survey; the Bureau of Reclamation; and the United States Bureau of Mines; and the Office of Territorial and International Affairs.

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1870. The Attorney General is the head of the Justice Department. Early in the nation's history, the attorney general was an assistant to the president, while the State Department administered most of the duties currently performed by the Justice Department. Today, the department acts as the country's largest law firm. It provides legal advice for the president and officials of other Cabinet departments; represents the United States in court; enforces most federal civil and criminal laws. The divisions and bureaus of the Department of Justice include: the Office of the Solicitor General; Civil Rights Division; Civil Division; Antitrust Division; Environment and Natural Resources Division; Tax Division; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Criminal Division; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the Bureau of Prisons; United States Marshals Office; Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS); and the United States National Central Bureau - Interpol.

One of the Cabinet departments, established in 1913. Congress commissioned the Department of Labor to "foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners of the United States, to improve the working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment." The Secretary of Labor is the head of the department. The program agencies that make up the Department of Labor are: the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the Employment and Training Administration; the Mine Safety and Health Administration; the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration; the Veterans' Employment and Training Service; the Employment Standards Administration; the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

One of the Departments of the Cabinet, created in 1789. The State Department has bureaus which deal with political affairs: the Bureau of African Affairs; the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs; the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs; the Bureau of Near-Eastern Affairs; the Bureau of South Asian Affairs; and the Bureau of International Organization Affairs. Other bureaus deal with issues related to various other aspects of administration and policy. These include the Bureau of Administration; the Bureau of Consular Affairs; the Bureau of Diplomatic Security; the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs; the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; and the Bureau of Public Affairs. The Foreign Service Institute is also part of the State Department, as well as the Agency for International Development; the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the United States Information Agency.

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1789. The department is headed by the Secretary of the Treasury. The department acts as the primary financial agency of the federal government. It collects taxes and customs duties; manages the public debt; enforces criminal laws relating to taxes, smuggling, and counterfeiting; does accounting for public money; supervises national banks; and manufactures paper money and coins. The bureaus of the Department of the Treasury include: the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency; the Bureau of the Public Debt; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; the United States Customs Service; United States Secret Service; the Internal Revenue Service; the United States Mint; and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. .

One of the Cabinet departments, created in 1966. This department establishes the overall transportation policy of the nation. The Secretary of Transportation, who heads the department, the staff of the department and state and local officials work together to determine policies for highways, railroads, aviation, urban mass transit, oil and gas pipelines, ports, waterways and other transportation-related issues. These policies affect other programs, such as energy conservation, land planning and technological change. Among the agencies and offices of the Department of Transportation are: the United States Coast Guard; the Federal Aviation Administration; the Federal Railroad Administration; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; the Federal Transit Administration; the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; the Maritime Administration; the Research and Special Programs Administration; and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. .

One of the Cabinet departments. The department was created in 1989 out of the Veteran's Administration, which had been an independent agency under the President since 1930. The Secretary of Veterans' Affairs heads the department, which operates programs to help veterans and their families. These programs include disability and death compensation payments; pensions; education and rehabilitation; home loan guarantees; burials; and a medical care program. .

Having the right to vote taken away. The term is also used to refer to anyone whose rights and privileges of citizenship, including the right to vote, has been taken away.

Written explanation of the opinion of one or more judges in a court who disagree with the decision of the majority of the court.

Idea that a monarch receives his or her authority to govern from God, not from the people over whom he or she rules. .

Peace within a nation. This phrase is used in the preamble to the Constitution. . .

Created in 1973, and part of the Department of Justice, this agency administers and enforces federal laws which relate to controlled and illegal substances, especially narcotics and other dangerous drugs. . . . .

View of federalism that considers the national and state governments equal, but independent partners, with distinct responsibilities. According to this view, the two levels of government should not interfere with the work of the other. The dual federalism approach emerged after the Civil War and until the turn of the century. .

Proper legal procedure. The Constitution guarantees that every American citizen be protected from arbitrary actions by the government buy requiring the government to follow specific procedures, defined by law, in situations like investigating criminal actions and arresting suspects .

Motto of the United States, which appears on the Great Seal of the United States. "E pluribus unum" means "one out of many" in Latin, referring to the fact that the United States is one nation made from many states. . .

Process by which people choose the candidate they want to become a public official. Many positions in government are elected positions, which means that many voters have to decide on a person to fill each job. Elections are held for positions like City Council person, Mayor, State Representative, Governor, Congressperson, and President of the United States. Some positions are not elected, but appointed. .

A body of individuals which elect the President and Vice President of the United States. The Constitution created this body, which consists of gatherings of state electors in each state to formally cast their ballots for a candidate for whom they have pledged to vote. Today, the Electoral College is basically a formality. In the past, however, on at least two occasions, a president was elected based on the electoral college, even though he lost the popular vote. .

Governmental power to take private property for public use. The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution requires the government to pay "just compensation" to anyone from whom it takes private property under eminent domain. . .

Payments made to a person or government which meets the requirements enumerated in the law. Social Security benefits, military pensions, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) are all entitlements. . . .

Powers specifically listed in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution as being granted to the Congress. . . .

Formerly called the Land and Resources Division, part of the Department of Justice. This division acts as the nation's environmental lawyer, trying important cases related to the environment and its impact on the lives and health of Americans. Issues include protecting endangered species, preventing global climate change and cleaning up hazardous waste. . .

Independent agency in the federal executive branch. Established in 1970, it works to protect and enhance the environment for present and future generations. The EPA's mission is to control and reduce various forms of pollution, including air, water, solid waste, pesticides, radiation and toxic substances. It works with state and local governments to develop and implement policies to attack environmental pollution. .

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. Created in 1964, this agency works to eliminate employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, disability, age or other criteria unrelated to job performance. It investigates complaints of discrimination; files lawsuits in cases of discrimination and is responsible for enforcing equal opportunity laws in federal departments, offices and agencies. . .

Provision in the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution which prohibits states from discriminating against people arbitrarily. All Americans are, thus, guaranteed "equal protection of the laws." This amendment was passed in 1868, mainly to protect African-Americans, many of whom had previously lived under slavery, from discrimination on the basis of race. . .

Situation in which every person has an equal chance, especially in areas such as education, employment and political participation. . .

Official religion, sponsored by the government. The First Amendment to the US Constitution forbids the government of the United States from establishing a state-sponsored religion.. . .

Section of the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which forbids the government to establish a state-sponsored religion. .

Group of people who are part of a common and distinctive culture. An ethnic group can be determined on the basis of a complex set of characteristics, including race, nationality, religion, ancestry, and language. . .

A set of characteristics which result in a distinctive culture, in which a group of people share. In the United States, ethnicity is a term that is somewhat flexible in meaning, but generally refers to a subset of the national culture in which people share one of more of the following characteristics: race, nationality, religion, ancestry, or language. Ethnicity sometimes refers to the group of people, as well as the culture itself . .

"after the fact." An ex post facto law is one which makes a particular act illegal, and punishes people who committed that crime before the law was passed, i.e., when the act was legal. "Ex post facto" means "from a thing done afterward" in Latin. . .

Taxes on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of items made within the country which is imposing the tax. . .

Principle that evidence cannot be used against a person if it was obtained illegally. This principle was established by the Supreme Court in the 1967 case, Mapp v. Ohio. In Nix v. Williams (1984), the Supreme Court ruled that evidence that had been illegally obtained could be used against someone in court if the prosecution could prove that the evidence "ultimately or inevitably would have been discovered by lawful means." In the same year, in United States v. Leon, the Court again restricted the exclusionary rule. The Court decided that, "when an officer acting with objective good faith has obtained a search warrant," the evidence obtained should be admissible in court, even if the warrant later proves to be faulty. . .

Section of the government which is responsible for executing laws. In the federal government, the executive branch consists of: the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet, all the executive departments, and several administrative agencies. . .

Name for the group of agencies, councils, and staff members which advise the president and help run the federal bureaucracy. The EOP was established by an executive order from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1939, and the number and type of agencies included is determined by each president. . .

Power of the President of the United States, delegated or implied by the Constitution, to implement and enforce laws. . .

Formerly called the Federal Aviation Agency. This administration was established in 1958, and made part of the Department of Transportation in 1967. It regulates air commerce to promote safety and national defense; controls the use of American airspace by both civilian and military aircraft to ensure safety and efficiency; supports civil aeronautics; helps coordinate research and development of air navigation facilities; develops and operates an air traffic control system for civil and military aircraft; and create and implement programs and rules to control environmental effects of civil aviation, including aircraft noise and sonic boom.

Established in 1908, and part of the Department of Justice. The FBI investigates most cases in which people are accused of violating federal criminal laws. After investigating these cases, the FBI pursues and arrest people suspected or charged with a federal crime. One of the most famous directors of the FBI was J. Edgar Hoover, who headed the Bureau from 1924 to 1972. Although he made many positive contributions to the FBI and to the nation, he also engaged in unethical behavior, such as wiretapping and maintaining files on individuals he did not like. . .

Independent agency in the federal executive branch. The FCC regulates interstate and foreign communications; including radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. It helps develop and operate broadcast services, and works to ensure efficient, low-cost service for national and international telephone and telegraphs. In addition, the commission is responsible for using communications to promote the safety of life and property, and strengthening the nation's defense. . .

Independent federal agency, established in 1933 in the aftermath of numerous bank failures after the Great Depression. The FDIC helps preserve public confidence in American banks and other financial institutions. It accomplishes this by providing insurance for bank and thrift deposits up to a legal limit of $100,000. In addition, the FDIC periodically examines banks chartered by the states which are not members of the Federal Reserve system, to make sure that they are sound and that they follow consumer protection laws. When banks and other financial institutions fail, the FDIC liquidates their assets and reimburses insurance funds for the cost of the failures. Congress does not assign money for the operation of the FDIC. Instead, the FDIC gets its income from fees paid by insured banks; interest from required investment of surplus funds; and, if necessary, borrowing up to $30 billion for insurance purposes from the Department of the Treasury. .

Independent federal agency, established in 1933 in the aftermath of numerous bank failures after the Great Depression. The FDIC helps preserve public confidence in American banks and other financial institutions. It accomplishes this by providing insurance for bank and thrift deposits up to a legal limit of $100,000. In addition, the FDIC periodically examines banks chartered by the states which are not members of the Federal Reserve system, to make sure that they are sound and that they follow consumer protection laws. When banks and other financial institutions fail, the FDIC liquidates their assets and reimburses insurance funds for the cost of the failures. Congress does not assign money for the operation of the FDIC. Instead, the FDIC gets its income from fees paid by insured banks; interest from required investment of surplus funds; and, if necessary, borrowing up to $30 billion for insurance purposes from the Department of the Treasury.

Consists of the nine justices of the US Supreme Court and hundreds of federal judges, all of whom are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. Federal judges preside over constitutional courts, which include 94 district courts and 12 courts of appeal; and legislative courts, which consists of special courts like tax and military courts. .

Independent agency in the federal executive branch. Established under the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, the Federal Reserve System ("Fed") is the central bank of the United States. One of the most powerful agencies in the government, it makes and administers policy for national credit and monetary policies. The Fed supervises and regulates bank functions across the country, thus maintaining a sound and stable banking industry, able to deal with a wide range of domestic and international financial demands. .

Independent agency in the federal executive branch, established under the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Clayton Act of 1914. The FTC works to promote free and fair competition in the American economic system. It seeks to prevent monopolies or other restraints on trade; and to stop unfair or deceptive trade practices. .

System for national government in which some powers are delegated to either national or state government, and other powers are shared between the two levels. This system presented a compromise at the 1787 Constitutional Convention between delegates fighting for a strong central government and delegates concerned about states' rights. system for national government in which some powers are delegated to either national or state government, and other powers are shared between the two levels. This system presented a compromise at the 1787 Constitutional Convention between delegates fighting for a strong central government and delegates concerned about states' rights.

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison to convince readers to ratify the Constitution in New York State. The essays were later used to promote the ratification of the Constitution in other states. The Federalist Papers stand as a primary on what the writers of the Constitution had in mind when they were creating the document.

Economic and political system, widespread in Mediaeval Europe, in which some individuals, called "nobles," owned land, and other individuals, called "serfs," did not. Nobility and serfdom were based on birth and family background, and there was virtually no way for a serf to obtain land. Thus, families with no land rented farmland and obtained protection from nobles, in exchange for services and resources which the serfs provided for the nobles. A rigid and largely oppressive system, it helped foster class consciousness in a society which depended on agriculture for livelihood and, for which, owning land meant having wealth and social status. .

A tactic in which a Senator holds the floor for a long time in order to delay or prevent a vote on an issue. Filibusters cannot occur in the House of Representatives, since speaking time is limited .

One of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. The Financial Management Service acts as the central bookkeeper for the federal government, as well as its major financial reporting agency. .

The spouse of the President. Since there has never been a female American President, there has never been a "First Man." The role of the First Lady is largely a social and public relations one. Some First Ladies; such as Eleanor Roosevelt, Barbara Bush, and Hillary Clinton; have chosen social causes to champion. First Lady Hillary Rodham has been controversial because of the strong role she has taken in trying to help shape national policy. .

Government policies which seek to influence the economy through tax and spending policies. .

Part of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA administers federal laws which prohibit the manufacture, shipment, or sale of impure or unsafe foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and other related items; and conducts research on their safety. . .

Decisions and programs made by the government which are directly related to issues involving other countries. Sometimes domestic and foreign policies influence each other. .

Part of the Department of State. The Foreign Service has thousands of ambassadors and staff members, who are trained to represent the United States in embassies, missions, liaison offices, consulates and other agencies in the United States and throughout the world. Ambassadors report to the President via the Secretary of State. They are responsible for implementing US civilian foreign policy within the countries to which they are assigned. .

Created by the Transfer Act of 1905. The Forest Service bears the responsibility for federal leadership in the management of forest land. It manages the national Forest System, which consists of: 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands and 8 land utilization projects in 44 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In addition, it conducts research to develop technology to protect, manage, use and sustain the nation's forest resources. Its International Forestry Division helps foreign nations promote sustainable development and environmental stability, especially in areas important in global climate. .

People who made important contributions to the development of the national government. .

Term used to refer to the people who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 as delegates, or were involved in the writing of the Bill of Rights. .

The right to vote. .

Power of members of Congress to send out mail free, without paying postal charges. This is one of the benefits or perquisites of being a House Representative or Senator, since members of Congress can use mailings to cultivate a positive popular image among their constituents. .

Section of the First Amendment to the US Constitution which forbids the government to make any laws to prohibit the free exercise of religion. This is the basis of the Constitution's protection of the freedom of religion. .

Buying, selling and other financial transactions which are conducted tariffs or other trade barriers. .

The right to gather with other people in public. This right is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. .

Right to express oneself and one's views in spoken words, actions, printed materials, assemblies or gatherings and petitions submitted to the government. It refers to the collective rights guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution: religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. .

The right to present requests to the government without punishment or reprisal. This right is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. .

The right to publish or print without interference from the government, guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution. This extent of this freedom has been debate by the public, in the legislatures, and in the courts, especially as regard to prior restraint, libel, obscenity and national security. .

The right to worship according to one's own beliefs. This freedom is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution, although the Supreme Court has ruled that this freedom is not absolute. .

The right to express oneself, with words or actions (verbally or symbolically). This freedom is guaranteed in the First Amendment to the US Constitution; although the Supreme Court has ruled that this freedom is not absolute: it should not be applied when it endangers or harms the lives, liberty or property of others. .

First words of Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution, which requires states to respect the "public acts, records, and judicial proceedings" of all the other states. .

Rights and privileges considered essential by the general society. .

Drawing the boundaries of an election district so that one party or group has a significant advantage. The strategy generally used is to concentrate opposition votes in a few districts, while spreading out the rest of the opposition over many districts. Gerrymandering is often used to help get candidates of a particular party elected, or to help increase minority representation in government.

"Grand Old Party." Term used since 1880 to refer to the Republican Party.

Institutions and officials which enact laws and execute and enforce public programs. Government in the United States is made up of executive, legislative and judicial branches at federal, state, and local levels.

Chief executive of a state.

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. The Government Printing Office began operating in 1860. It produces and distributes printed and electronic publications of the federal government, including Congress and the executive departments.

Ranges in size from 6 to 23, depending on the state, and functions to determine whether there is enough evidence available against a person accused of a crime to justify a trial.

Clause included in the state constitutions of several southern states after the Civil War placing high literacy and property requirements for voters whose ancestors did not vote before 1867. These clauses were designed to interfere with African-American citizens' right to vote. In 1915, the Supreme Court ruled grandfather clauses unconstitutional.

Federal funding given to states and local governments to fund policies and programs. The Morrill Act (1862) was the first grant-in-aid program.

Proposal presented by Connecticut delegates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention to compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. The Great Compromise suggested that a bicameral Congress be established, with representation in one house being determined by state population, and the other having equal representation from each state. Grant-in-aid programs - federal funding given to states and local governments to fund policies and programs. The Morrill Act (1862) was the first grant-in-aid program.

Rational or factual basis for arguing something. In order to appeal a case, the attorneys must have grounds for appeal. They cannot simply appeal because they are not happy with the decision.

Pertaining to a governor.

Formally known as the "Act to Prevent Pernicious Political Activities," called the "Hatch Act" after Senator Carl Hatch of New Mexico, who was its major sponsor. The purpose of the law was to calm fears that federal civil service employees might be able to wield extraordinary influence on the election of the President and members of Congress. As a result of the Hatch Act, federal employees may vote, but may not take an active part in partisan politics.

Rules that regulate the actions of federal employees, as published by the US Merit Systems Protection Board. According to the Hatch Act rules, federal employees may engage in most political activities, including voting, campaigning in nonpartisan elections, wearing political buttons and contributing money to political campaigns. Among the political activities in which federal employees may not engage are: running for public office in partisan elections; campaigning for candidates in partisan elections; collecting money or selling tickets to political fundraising events; distributing campaign materials in a partisan election; organizing or managing a political rally or meeting; or working to register voters for only one party. Although these rules apply to almost all federal employees, they are stricter for military personnel.

Type of speech which is used to deliberately offend an individual; or racial, ethnic, religious or other group. Such speech generally seeks to condemn or dehumanize the individual or group; or express anger, hatred, violence or contempt toward them.

Part of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. This administration provides grants for state, local, and private nonprofit health care facilities, like hospitals. It also provides medical and other health care services to various groups of individuals; such as Coast Guard personnel and their families, Native Americans, and federal prisoners.

Another term for the US Supreme Court.

British political theorist who argued that individuals formed governments because of their rational self-interest. One of the major intellectual figures of the Enlightenment, his most famous work is The Leviathan, published in 1651.

Prominent position in the majority party, second only to the Speaker of the House in party authority. Like the Senate majority leader, the House majority leader helps promote the legislative agenda of the party in the House.

The head of the minority party in the House of Representatives. The minority leader represents the interests of the minority party by meeting with the majority leader and, in the case of the House, the House Speaker to schedule bills and rules for floor action.

One of the two houses of the Congress, created in Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution. The House of Representatives has 435 members, called Representatives, who serve for 2-year terms. The number of Representatives from each state is determined by the state's population, so that states with large populations have more Representatives in Congress than states with small populations.- one of the two houses of the Congress, created in Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution. The House of Representatives has 435 members, called Representatives, who serve for 2-year terms. The number of Representatives from each state is determined by the state's population, so that states with large populations have more Representatives in Congress than states with small populations.

Set of beliefs and goals of a social or political group that explain or justify the group's decisions and behavior.

Founded in 1891, one of the agencies of the Homeland Security. The INS administers and enforces federal laws that deal with people from other countries who want to enter or remain in the United States. The INS also handles the administration and enforcement of federal laws dealing with people who want to become American citizens.) - founded in 1891, one of the agencies of the Department of Justice. The INS administers and enforces federal laws that deal with people from other countries who want to enter or remain in the United States. The INS also handles the administration and enforcement of federal laws dealing with people who want to become American citizens.

Formal charges of "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" brought against the President, the Vice President, a Supreme Court justice, or any executive and judicial official. Members of Congress and military officers are not subject to impeachment. The House Judiciary Committee investigates the situation and makes a recommendation to the rest of the House on whether the official should be impeached. The rest of the House votes on the issue and, if the official is impeached, the Senate tries the case. If the official is convicted, he or she is removed from office. Since the ratification of the Constitution, the House of Representatives has impeached 16 federal officials, including 13 federal judges, of whom 7 were convicted by the Senate.

Powers claimed by Congress which are not specifically enumerated in the Constitution, but are implied in its necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8).

A candidate who holds the office for which he or she is running in an election. It is usually difficult for an incumbent candidate to be defeated in an election, unless he or she has had a very poor term in office. Incumbents have the benefit of having.

Political parties that are not affiliated with either of the major parties.

Rights claimed by the individual, as opposed to rights claimed by a group. .

Organization of people who share political, social or other goals; and agree to try to influence public policy to achieve those goals.

One of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. The IRS was created in 1862, and is responsible for administering and enforcing most federal tax laws. It collects almost all federal taxes, including personal and corporate income tax; social security; excise tax; estate and gift taxes.

Laws that govern the interactions and relations between nations, resulting from officials rules, treaties, agreements and customs.

Trade that takes places across state lines. This is distinct from intrastate commerce, which takes place within a state, and foreign trade, which takes place between countries. Article I, Section 8, clause 3 of the Constitution gives the Congress the authority to regulate interstate trade, as well as foreign trade.

Independent regulatory agency, which reports to the President. The ICC was created in 1887, and it regulates surface transportation that occurs across state lines. This includes trains, trucks, buses, water carriers, certain pipelines, and other forms of transportation. Among its functions are certifying carriers, regulates their rates and helping ensure that they provide efficient and sufficient service.

Laws which promoted segregation, or the separation of people based on race. These laws worked primarily to restricted the rights of African Americans to use certain schools and public facilities, usually the good ones; to vote; find decent employment and associate with anyone of their own choosing. These laws did not make life "separate but equal," but only served to exclude African Americans and others from exercising their rights as American citizens. In Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), the US Supreme Court ruled that Jim Crow laws were unconstitutional. It took many years and much effort, however, before Jim Crow laws would be overturned across the country.

A group of high-ranking military officers who represent the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. They assist the civilian leaders of the Department of Defense in integrating policies and programs, and advise the President and National Security Council when asked. The Joint Chiefs of Staff is headed by a Chairman.

Belief that the Supreme Court has the right or obligation to perform judicial review.

Section of the government that interprets the laws and administers justice. In the federal government, the judicial branch consists of: the Supreme Court, the Circuit Courts of Appeal, District Courts, and several special courts.

Belief that the Supreme Court should not exercise judicial review often. People who support this view feel that justices, who are appointed, should not use much power to overturn the decisions of Congress, which is elected.

Power of a court to refuse to enforce a law or government regulation which it believes to be unconstitutional. Chief Justice John Marshall articulated this right in the decision of Marbury v. Madison (1803). So far, the Supreme Court has ruled about 1500 congressional acts or parts of acts unconstitutional.

Small group of people ruling a country, usually after a revolution or coup d'etat, but before a legally established government has been formed.

Authority of a court to hear a case. A case cannot be tried in a court which does not have jurisdiction over it.

A group of people chosen according to the law, who listen to a case in court and reach a decision on the case. In Article III, Section 2, clause 3, the Constitution guarantees a person's right to a trial by jury. Thus, people have their cases decided by a group of people, and not just one individual. Impeachment cases, cases brought before the Supreme Court, and very minor cases are not brought before a jury.

Person holding office after his or her replacement has been elected to the office, but before the current term has ended. In the American presidency, the period after election day in November and the swearing-in of the new President in January is known as the lame duck period.

The act of passing laws.

Section of government that makes laws. In the federal government, the legislative branch consists of: Congress, the Library of Congress, the Congressional Budget Office, and General Accounting Office, and the Government Printing Office. On the state level, the state legislatures make up the legislative branch.

Power to make laws. In the federal government of the United States, the Congress holds most of the legislative power.

A group of elected people who create the laws. The national legislature is the Congress, while states and local governments also have legislatures .

The belief among citizens that their government has the right to pass and enforce laws. .

Use of print or pictures to harm someone's reputation. Until 1964, a person could prove that they had been libeled simply by showing that the statements in question were incorrect. In 1964, the Supreme Court decided that public officials had to prove that the statements in question were made with "actual malice"-for the purpose of harming the person's reputation. As a result of the Supreme Court case, Time, Inc. v. Firestone (1976); private individuals only have to prove negligence, rather than "actual malice," on the part of the press. .

Freedom.

Independent federal agency in the legislative branch. The Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, was established in 1800. It presents a wide range of materials for research, including extensive collections in American history, music and law.

Power given to the president allowing him or her to veto specific provisions of appropriations and tax bills. Congress passed a limited line-item veto in 1995, but a federal judge struck it down in 1997. The Supreme Court recently refused to rule on the law claiming that those suing( a group of Congressmen) had not been harmed by the law and thus did not have standing to sue.

British political theorist of the Enlightenment who argued that government should be based on the consent of the governed, and that people had the right to revolt against ineffective or unfair government. His most famous work, Two Treatises on Government, was published in 1690.

Exchanging political support for political favors, especially by members of Congress and other legislatures and thus extending different members requests i bills and getting it passed.

British document, signed by King John, which reaffirmed long-standing rights and responsibilities of the English nobility; limited the powers of the king; and recognized that all people, including the government and monarch, are subject to the law.

In the Senate, this is the first-ranking party position, held by a distinguished senior member of the majority party in the Senate. The Senate majority leader schedules floor actions on bills, and helps guide the majority party's legislative program through the Senate. In the House, the majority leader stands second to the Speaker of the House in party authority. Like the Senate majority leader, the House majority leader helps promote the legislative agenda of the party in the House.

Idea that all the people in a group or society should be held to the rules and decisions established by more than half of the peopl.

A set of foreign policies adopted by the United States after World War II. Named after Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the policies provided substantial aid to European countries to help them rebuild their countries, economies and democracies, many of which had been destroyed or severely damaged during the war.

Funding strategy in which the donor, whether the government or a private agency, requires the recipient to provide a given percent of the money needed to implement to program.

Document written by the Pilgrims establishing the basic principles of the Plymouth Colony government.

The chief executive of a city, town, or village.

Manner of choosing employees that emphasizes their ability, education, experience, and job performance; rather than their connections or other political factors. In 1883, Congress passed the Pendleton Act, which called for reforms to make sure more federal employees were hired by a merit system and fewer by Presidential appointment. Today, almost 95% of federal civilian employees are hired on a merit basis, through civil service examinations and educational and skill qualifications.

The head of the minority party in either the House or the Senate. The minority leader represents the interests of the minority party by meeting with the majority leader and, in the case of the House, the House Speaker to schedule bills and rules for floor action.

Form of government in which political power belongs largely to one ruler, generally called a king or queen, who receives his or her position by claim of divine or inherited right.

Government policies which try to influence the economy by changing the amount of money circulating in the economy (money supply) and the interest rate (rate at which people, companies, or the government can borrow money).

French political theorist who analyzed different government constitutions and developed the theory upon which the separation of powers is based. His most famous work was De l'esprit des lois (The Spirit of the Laws), published in 1748.

Independent agency in the federal executive branch, established in 1958, which conducts research on problems of flight on Earth and in space. NASA creates and operates aviation and space vehicles, and performs test flights and missions, coordinates programs for the peaceful exploration of space and arranges cooperative programs involving the United States and other nations to develop scientific and engineering resources for peaceful purposes.

Part of the Executive Office of the President. Created by President Bill Clinton and patterned after the National Security Council (NSC), it helps the President coordinate foreign and domestic economic policies. The council is headed by the national economic council adviser.

Part of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. Created in 1965, it provides grant funding to American individuals and organizations in visual, literary and performing arts. In addition, it promotes arts institutions, works to make the arts accessible to more Americans and helping establish the arts as an important aspect of education.

Part of the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. Created in 1965, it provides grant funding for research, education and public programs in the humanities, including: languages; linguistics; literature; history; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; arts history, criticism and theory and other areas.

Independent agency, created in 1965, to encourage progress in the arts and humanities. It consists of the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities and the Institute of Museum Services.

Part of the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services. The NIH operates research institutes; such as the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Services. In addition, it helps fund other medical research projects.

Independent agency, part of the federal executive branch. Created by the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 ("Wagner Act"), it administers the labor laws of the nation, including the "Wagner" Act. The NLRB prevents and alleviates unfair labor practices by private employers and unions, protect the right of employees to organize and decide whether or not to use unions as bargaining representatives.

Founded in 1916, part of the Department of the Interior. The National Park Service works to conserve the natural and cultural resources in the National Park System. It manages national parks, and is involved with programs like the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System; the National Trails System; the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the National Register of Historic Places.

Independent federal agency, created in 1970. Amtrak provides a national rail transportation system through its intercity rail passenger service. It operates 300 trains a day, on average, dealing with over 600 stations on a route system that covers about 21,400 route miles. It employs about 20,000 people, and transports about 31.7 million people annually (in fiscal year 1994). Although it earns significant revenues, it cannot survive without a subsidy from the federal government..

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. Created by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, it promotes research, development and education in science and engineering. It provides grants for projects which demonstrate the potential to contribute significantly to the body of scientific knowledge or the preparation and implementation of effective science education.

Founded in 1863, it is one of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. The office is headed by the Comptroller of the Currency, and the agency is responsible for administering federal banking laws and supervising the activities of the 4,700 national banks. In addition, the Comptroller directs a staff of 2,100 bank examiners, who investigate to make sure that all the national banks are financially secure and operating well.

The condition of the nation, in terms of threats, especially threats from outside. One of the major jobs of the federal government is to ensure the security of the nation.

Created in 1947 by the National Security Act. The National Security Council advises the President on issues of foreign and defense policy. According to the law, the NSC consists of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Defense, with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of the CIA as advisors. The President can also request that other officials take part.

Set of principles which govern human interactions, which are built into the structure of the universe, as opposed to being imposed by human beings.

Formerly known as the Soil Conservation Service. Part of the Department of Agriculture, it is responsible for helping farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners conserve and protect our natural resources.

Rights, freedoms and privileges which are such a basic part of human nature that they cannot be taken away. These are different from rights which are given to people by the law. According to the Declaration of Independence, these rights include "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.".

Process by which an alien becomes a citizen.

Clause 18 of Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution. This clause establishes the "implied powers," by which Congress has authority to pass legislation in areas not specifically listed in the Constitution.

Unfair practice in which people in power give positions in a government or organization to their relatives or friends, rather than to any individual who is well-qualified. This can lead to inefficiency in the functioning of the government or organization, since hiring is based on personal connections, rather than ability or merit. In addition, nepotism can cause conflicting loyalties for the person who receives the job: he or she may be more loyal to the person who hired him or her than to the government or organization.

Proposal presented by New Jersey delegates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention which recommended that Congress be unicameral, and that all states be equally represented in Congress. Small states developed the proposal to counter the Virginia Plan. The New Jersey Plan gave large and small states equal power in Congress, and made Congress power to force states to cooperate with the national government.

Group of people in a society who have been given legally-recognized titles, by inheriting them or receiving them from a monarch or other authority. Great Britain is one example of a country which has a nobility, or noble class.

Established by a treaty signed in 1949. The treaty tied the security interested of the United States to those of the nations of Western Europe and other areas. NATO arose out of fear of the military and security threat posed by the Communist Soviet Union, although it still exists even after the fall of the U.S.S.R.

Person in a government agency to whom people can go to make complaints or explain problems with the programs or policies of the agency.

Authority held by a court to be the first court to hear a particular case.

English-born American political theorist and pamphleteer who wrote in defense of the ideals of the American Revolution. His most famous work, Common Sense, was published in 1776, and influenced people throughout the colonies to support the patriot cause.

Legal forgiveness for a crime. Governors can issue pardons for state crimes, and the President can issue pardons for federal crimes.

Partial to a particular party or person, often political in nature. One criticism of federal politics, especially regarding Congress, is that some politicians spend more time and effort trying to promote their party's platform than trying to develop laws and policies which serve the American people.

Belief that one belongs to a certain party, and the extent to which that belief affects one's political views and actions.

Part of the Department of Commerce. The Patent and Trademark Office grants patents and registers trademarks to applicants who pass their examination process. In (fiscal year) 1993, for example, the office registered about 86,122 trademark and renewed 6,182; and issued about 107,000 patents.

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. The Peace Corps was created in 1961, and was made an independent agency in 1981. Its goal is to promote peace and international cooperation by helping other nations meet their needs for trained and educated people, as well as offering opportunities for Americans to serve those in need. Peace Corps volunteers are trained in the language of the country they are serving, and become part of the indigenous communities.

Building in Washington, D.C. that is shaped like a pentagon (five-sided figure). The Pentagon serves as the headquarters for the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Built during World War II, the Pentagon is the largest office building in the world. It holds 20 miles of corridors; 24,000 employees; 4,200 clocks; 685 water fountains; and 87,000 telephones connected by 100,000 miles of cable. Every day, employees and others in the building drink about 30,000 cups of coffee and make about 200,000 telephone calls.

A trial jury, which weighs the evidence against someone accused of a crime, and determines his or her guilt or lack of guilt under the law. Trial or petit juries traditionally have 12 people, although several states have juries with only 6 people. In most states, all the members of the jury must make their decision on the person's guilt or lack of guilt (verdict) unanimously. Some states, however, only require a majority which is greater than a simple majority. If a jury cannot agree on verdict, it is declared a "hung jury," and the matter is either dropped or brought to another trial with a new jury..

British document guaranteeing the right of representation in determining taxation. Along with the British Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701), this law helped shape the British constitutional system.

Set of opinions and ideas for policy, upon which the members of a political party decide. Party members often determine their platforms in caucuses.

An independent organization established by interest groups, political candidates, and people who hold office. PACs serve to raise and contribute money to the political campaigns of individuals whose platforms agree with the aims of the PAC. These organizations were founded because federal laws prohibit most interest groups from contributing money directly to political campaigns.

Basic beliefs, customs and assumptions about government which are shared by the people in a group or nation.

Becoming involved in activities such as voting, running for political office, signing petitions and other activities which help citizens make an impact on public or political issues.

Organized group of people who want to control or influence government by winning elections, holding public office, and having the government's laws and policies reflect their political beliefs. In the United States, there are two major parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

An area of activity aimed at influencing or controlling the government in order to formulate or guide public policy.

A tax a person is required to pay before he or she is allowed to vote. Poll taxes were used in many southern states after the Reconstruction period to restrict African-American citizens' right to vote.

Idea that government should reflect the general will of the people, or the interests that all citizens have in common. Political theorist Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) described this concept in Du contrat social (The Social Contract), published in 1762.

Vote of the people of a nation or group. In the United States, this contrasts with an electoral vote, which is done by a small group of electors, rather than the general public.

Laws that directs funds to local projects in an area which a member of Congress represents.

Smallest, most local unit in the typical structure of political parties at the local level. Precincts act as voting districts, and cover an area of several blocks.

Chief Executive of the United States, Head of State and Commander and Chief of the US Armed Forces. The President of the United States is elected every 4 years, by the Electoral College.

Process by which members of a party elect candidates to run for office as the representative of the party. Primaries are held in national presidential elections, as well as more local elections.

Blocking a story before it is punished or broadcast.

Refers to Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution, which guarantees that "citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens" in any other state in the United States.

Nicknamed the "Bull Moose" Party, led by Theodore Roosevelt. The nickname came from Roosevelt's frequently-uttered statement that he felt "as strong as a bull moose." The party stood for lower tariffs, conservation policies, government regulation of big business, women's right to vote; an eight-hour work day; and the prohibition of child labor. In 1912, Roosevelt ran for President as a Progressive Party candidate. Although he lost the election, he was able to garner 27.4% of the popular vote, making him the most successful third-party candidate in American history.

System of electing members of the legislature, in which the number of seats given to a particular party is determined by the percentage of the popular vote which goes to that party. This system is used in many countries, including most European nations.

Umbrella organization of the Department of Health and Human Services. It contains the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute of Health.

Time, effort and energy given to local, state or national communities, generally through opportunities in appointed or elected office.

Actions which the government takes to address problems and issues raised in society and introduced through the political system.lth Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute of Health.

Minimum number of people needed a meeting for the business at hand to take place.

Process by which people or legislatures express their official approval of a proposed document or plan. Amendments to the US Constitution cannot become part of the Constitution until they have been ratified either by two-thirds of the state legislatures or by conventions in two-thirds of the states.

A direct vote by the people on an issue of public policy.

System of government which derives its authority from the people and governs according to the will of the majority, but in which the people elect individuals to represent their will.

Form of government based on a constitution, in which decisions are made by elected or appointed officials in a democratic manner.

One of the two major political parties in the United States. Different members of the Republican Party hold different political views, and the party platform may change from administration to administration. Nevertheless, the Republican Party has generally draws support from upper-middle class and wealthy Americans; and has traditionally supported cutting taxes and reducing the level of government participation in the society and economy.

Powers given to the states that are not enumerated in the US Constitution. According to the Tenth Amendment, "powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.".

Complete and usually violent process by which the government and its manner of rule are taken out of power, and a new government is established. Many Americans fought the Revolutionary War in order to remove the colonial British government and establish a new system.

Swiss-born philosopher, social reformer and political theorist who supported the idea of government being controlled by the general will of the people, i.e., popular sovereignty. His views were more extreme than those of John Locke, who greatly influenced the intellectual defense of the American Revolution. Although his views had more influence in the French Revolution than the American Revolution, Rousseau's works were widely read in by Americans, including political theorist and pamphleteer Thomas Paine (1737-1809). Rousseau's most famous work was Du contrat social (The Social Contract).

Doctrine that no individual stands above the law, and that all rulers are answerable to the law. This is one of the major legacies of the constitutional system. The rule of law can also be understood as the belief that there is a universal standard of justice, equality and impartiality, against which all governments and governmental actions may be measured.

Doctrine that an individual or government may stand above the law, and rule according to personal whim or choice. The doctrine reflects the belief that standards of justice, equality and impartiality are subjective, not universal. This is the opposite of the rule of law.

A court order that allows the person holding the order, generally a law enforcement officer, to search areas specified in the order for items specified in the order.

Independent regulatory agency, part of the federal executive branch. The Commission was created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It administers federal laws on securities (stocks and bonds); to protect investors and ensure that securities markets function fairly and honestly and enforce securities laws through sanctions. Since some of the SEC's functions are quasi-judicial, SEC decisions can be reviewed by the United States Court of Appeals.

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. Selective Service works to register all males in the United States, between the ages of 18 1/2 to 26,to make sure that the Armed Forces can be adequately supplied with people in case of a crisis in national security.

One of the two houses of the Congress, created in Article I, Section 1 of the US Constitution. The Senate has 100 members, called Senators, who serve for 6-year terms. Every state has two Senators. Senators were originally elected by state legislatures, but the Seventeenth Amendment to the US Constitution, adopted in 1913, changed the system so that Senators would be elected by the people.

First-ranking party position, held by a distinguished senior member of the majority party in the Senate. The Senate majority leader schedules floor actions on bills, and helps guide the majority party's legislative program through the Senate.

The head of the minority party in the Senate. The minority leader represents the interests of the minority party senators by meeting with the majority leader to schedule bills and rules for floor action.

Idea that the government and religion should be separate, and not interfere in each other's affairs. In the United States, this idea is based on the First Amendment to the US Constitution, which states that the government cannot make any laws to establish a state religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion. . .

Division of governmental authority among the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial branch. The US Constitution uses this principle in setting up the presidency, the Congress, and the courts. . .

Powers granted to the national government by the Constitution, but not denied to the states. One example is the right to lay and collect taxes.

Independent federal agency in the executive branch. Created in 1953, it provides aid, advice, assistance and support to small businesses in the United States. In addition, the agency makes loans to small businesses, state and local developers and victims of floods and other disasters.

Independent trust of the United States, administered by a Board of Regents. Created in 1846 from the estate of James Smithson of England, it fosters the growth and spread of knowledge. The Smithsonian Institution presents exhibits and performances in areas of history, technology, science and the arts. Some of the museums and cultural organizations that function as part of the Smithsonian Institution are: the Anacostia Museum, the Archives of American Art, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art, the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of African Art, the National Museum of American Art, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of the American Indian, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Postal Museum, the National Zoological Park, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Gallery of Art, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Center for Folklife Programs, the Center for Museum Studies, the Smithsonian Institution Archives, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.

Agreement among all the people in a society to give up part of their freedom to a government in exchange for protection of natural rights. John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau were two European political philosophers who wrote about this concept.

Independent agency which implements social programs, including federal old-age pensions and disability insurance. Social Security was established in 1944, and was later placed under the Department of Health and Human Services. An independent agency as of March 31, 1995, the Social Security Administration is become a large organization. Funding for its programs has been a major source of controversy, especially in the debate over balancing the budget. Although many politicians from different backgrounds agree that the funding and administration of Social Security programs need to be reform, they have not been able to agree on the best manner and result of such reforms.

An official of the Department of Justice. He or she represents the United States when cases are brought to the Supreme Court. He or she also decides which court decisions from lower courts the federal government should bring to the Supreme Court for reviews. The Solicitor General determines the official federal government position on cases heard by the Supreme Court.

Supreme and final authority or power in a government. In the United States, sovereignty rests with the people.

Presiding officer in the House of Representatives. He or she is formally elected by the House of Representatives but, in reality, is chosen by the majority party.The Speaker during the 19th century had immense powers and could appoint all committee heads and control the House agenda, In 1910, revolts by Democrats and progressive Representatives resulted in greater limitations being placed on the Speaker. Some of that power was restored in 1925. The Speaker in 2019 was Nancy Pelosi, who had first became the first woman Speaker in 2006.

Federal courts which were created by Congress to hear specific types of cases. Sometimes called "legislative courts," they include: the Court of Military Appeals, the Claims Court, the Tax Court, territorial courts, and the courts of the District of Columbia.

Right to vote. The Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees suffrage for all Americans, regardless of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." The Nineteenth Amendment guaranteed suffrage for all Americans, regardless of gender.

Article VI, Section 2 of the Constitution, which states that the "Constitution, and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof ... shall be the supreme law of the land." Thus, if any state laws come into conflict with the Constitution , then the Constitution must win out.

The highest court in the judicial branch of the United States government, and the only court specifically mentioned in the Constitution. It consists of a Chief Justice and eight other Associate Justices. The Supreme Court is the "court of last resort" for appeals-the final authority on any questions dealing with the Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties of the United States. The only way to get around a Supreme Court decision is to amend the Constitution or have the Supreme Court itself reverses the decision. If a case is decided by the US Supreme Court, it cannot be appealed anywhere else.

This is speech that is designed to convey a message.

Taxes on goods, often placed on goods being brought into the United States from foreign nations (import tariffs).

A division of the Department of Justice. The Tax Division deals with civil and criminal cases involving tax laws, and often represents the Internal Revenue Service in court.

Money collected by federal, local or state government from individuals or businesses for use in public spending.

Official agreement between two or more sovereign nations. Many treaties establish terms of peace after a war or conflict, or determine the rules nations must follow in theory relationship with other nations. A treaty creates rights or responsibilities, or restricts existing rights or responsibilities.

Power given to the Senate to accept or reject treaties made by the President. A two-thirds majority is needed to ratify a treaty, as stated by the Constitution in Article II, Section 2, clause 2.

Part of the Department of Transportation. The Coast Guard enforces federal laws related to smuggling, ship safety, port security, spillage, pollution, and other marine environmental protection issues. The Coast Guard also maintains ships and other vessels, aircraft, and communications facilities for search and rescue mission. In addition, it operates the U.S. Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. It maintains a network of aids to navigation; including lighthouses, buoys, icebreakers, and radio devices.

Established as an agency under the Department of Treasury in 1927. The Customs Service is responsible for administering and enforcing customs laws. In addition, the US Customs Service collects duties on imported goods, and counters smuggling and other illegal activities related to international trade.

Part of the Department of the Treasury. The Secret Service is best known for its role in protecting the President and Vice President, members of their immediate families; former Presidents, their wives or widows, and their children (up to the age of 16); presidential and vice presidential candidates; and heads of state from other countries who come to visit the United States. However, the Secret Service is also responsible for enforcing laws against counterfeiting.

Fundamental rights belonging to people, which cannot be taken away. The phrase "unalienable rights" was used in the Declaration of Independence (1776).

Rights not listed in the Constitution or constitutional amendments; but either implied or, for some other reason, recognized and protected by the Supreme Court.

Actions imposed by the federal or state government on lower levels of government which are not accompanied by the money needed to fund the action required.

"one room." The term refers to a legislature that has only one body, such as the Israeli Knesset or the German Bundestag.

System of government in which all authority is placed in a central government. Countries with unitary governments, such as Great Britain and France, have regional and local governments which derive their power from the central government.

A system of government in which constitutional authority lies in the hands of the national government. In such a system, political subdivisions created by the central government take responsibility for much of the everyday administration of the government. Great Britain is an example of a country with a unitary system of government.

International organization established in 1945. The U.N. supports cooperation among nations and the peaceful settlement of debates. The United States is one of the U.N.'s 183 member states.

Founded in 1910, part of the Department of the Interior. The Bureau of Mines conducts research and issues reports on various aspects of mining activity, including: mining techniques, mine health and safety, environmental pollution, and solid waste recycling.

Part of the Department of the Interior. This service is responsible for protecting and fostering the growth of the United States' fish and wildlife resources. It maintains over 400 wildlife refuges, over 70 fish hatcheries, several laboratories and a national network of wildlife law enforcement agents.

Independent federal agency which reports directly to the President of the United States and is, thus, part of the Executive branch of the federal government.. The USIA serves to coordinate educational, cultural and media programs which project a positive image of the United States to foreign nations.

Part of the Department of Justice. The oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United States, it creates a link between the executive and judicial branches of government. Created in 1789, it consists of marshals, appointed by the President, and their support staff of about 3,500 deputy marshals and administrative employees in all federal judicial districts. The US Marshals Service: provides support and protection for federal courts, including security for judicial facilities, judges and other trial participants; apprehends federal fugitives; operates the Federal Witness Protection Program to protect government witnesses; holds thousands of federal prisoners annually and transports them; executes court orders and arrest warrants; seizes, manages and sells property from drug traffickers and other criminals; and sends its Special Operations Group to respond to civil disturbances, terrorist incidents and other emergency crises.

Authorized in 1792, founded in 1873, name changed from Bureau of the Mint in 1984. It is one of the agencies of the Department of the Treasury. The Mint manufactures all US coins, and maintains stocks of gold and silver. It operates the Mints in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Denver, Colorado; the Assay Office in San Francisco, California; the Gold Depository in Fort Knox, Kentucky; and the Silver Depository at West Point, New York.

International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) - part of the Department of Justice. The USNCB represents the United States in INTERPOL, an international association of 160 countries which promotes mutual assistance among law enforcement officials to prevent and suppress international crime.

Established in 1981, part of the Department of Commerce. This administration supports the travel industry, in the United States and abroad, in their attempts to attract tourists and other foreign visitors to the United States for study, business, vacation, and other miscellaneous purposes.

Decisions, laws, and programs made by the government which are directly related to issues in the United States. Sometimes domestic and foreign policies influence each other. .

Part of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. This administration operates a network of health care facilities, including: 171 medical centers; 340 outpatient clinics; 127 nursing home care units; and 196 Vietnam Veterans Outreach Centers. In addition, the administration helps support veterans' health care in non-VA hospitals. Other programs include medical and health care research projects and physician and dentist training.

Power given the President to refuse to sign a bill that has been passed by Congress, thus blocking its becoming a law. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. American presidents have vetoed about 2500 acts of Congress, of which Congress has overridden about 100. "Veto" means "I forbid" in Latin.

The person who takes over the Presidency in case of illness or death of the President. The Vice President also acts as president of the Senate, over which he presides. He or she may not vote in the Senate, except to break a tie. Presidential candidates often choose running mates to attract support from voters otherwise disinclined to vote for them. For most of American history, the role of the Vice President was very limited. Under the presidencies of Carter, Reagan and Clifton, however, the Vice President has been given more responsibilities.

Proposal presented by Virginia delegates at the 1787 Constitutional Convention which recommended that Congress be bicameral, and that states' representation be based on their populations. This plan favored states with large populations, since they would have more representatives in Congress than less populated states.

Choose. In order to vote in the United States, a person has to be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the United States. People who are eligible to vote must register.

Term for the separation of church and state, coined by Thomas Jefferson. According to Jefferson, the freedom of religion articulated in the First Amendment to the Constitution could best be articulated with the image of a "wall of separation" between the state and the church. This view of the First Amendment has been criticized by some.

Subdivisions of a city, for sectioning election districts. A significant number of cities are divided into wards.

A court order that makes an official action legal, such as a search warrant or an arrest warrant.

Center of the executive branch and official residence of the President and his immediate family. The President's key personal and political staff have offices in the White House. Most work in the West Wing, which also contains the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Aside from the Vice President and Cabinet members, the major Executive advisors are: the Chief of Staff of the White House; the Counsel to the President; the Press Secretary; the President's Physician; and the Director of Staff for the First Lady.

Court order issued by the Supreme Court to order a lower court to send up the record of a case. Supreme Court justices use writs of certiorari to bring cases from lower courts to the Supreme Court for review. "Certiorari" means "to be informed" or "to be made more certain" in Latin.

Court order which requires that individuals who have been arrested or detained be physically brought before the court to determine whether they are being held on legal grounds. This helps protect people from being arbitrary arrested and/or held in custody for excessive periods unnecessarily. "Habeas corpus" means "you must have the body.".