Affordable Care Act
An expansion of medicaid, most of employers must provide health insurance, have insurance or face surtax, prevents rejection based on pre-existing condition. Also referred to as "Obamacare", signed into law in 2010.
agenda
a list of potential policy ideas, bills, or plans to improve society
balanced budget amendment
A proposed amendment to the Constitution that would instruct Congress to hold a national convention to propose to the states a requirement that peacetime federal budgets be balanced.
bonds
Contract to repay borrowed money and interest on the borrowed money at regular future intervals
Clean Air Act
Established new standards for ambient air wuality, set new limits on emissions from stationary and movile sources to be enforced by both state and federal governments, and increased finds for air pollition research; soondiscovered that the deadlines set w
Clean Water Act
Requires municipalities and industries to use pollution-control technologies and obtain EPA permits to discharge waste into waters
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (1974)
An act designed to reform the congressional budgetary process. Its supporters hoped that it would also make Congress less dependent on the president's budget and better able to set and meet its own budgetary goals.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
A counterweight to the president's Office of Management and Budget. It advises Congress on the probable consequences of budget decisions and forecasts revenues.
Council of Economic Advisors
A panel of three noted economists who advise the president of the United States on macroeconomic matters. The council consists of a chairman and two other members, all of whom are appointed by the president and approved by the Senate
debt
something, typically money, that is owed or due.
deficit
An excess of federal expenditures over federal revenues.
discount rate
Interest levels determined by the Federal Reserve that affects the consumer's ability to borrow money. Fluctuating the rates is a tool to combat inflation.
discretionary spending
Spending set by the government through appropriations bills, including operation expenses and the salaries of government employees.
Elite Theory
asserts that there is an inequity in the spread of power among the populace, and that the elites-people with resources and influence-dominate
entitlements
A guarantee of access to benefits based on established rights or by legislation. Typically, entitlements are laws based on concepts of principle ("rights") which are themselves based in concepts of social equality or enfranchisement.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
agency of the federal government, created in 1970, that is charged with administering all of the government's environmental legislation; administers policies dealing with toxic wastes; largest federal independent regulatory agency.
estate tax
Federal taxes on a decedent's real and personal property
excise taxes
Taxes on the manufacture, transportation, sale; or use of goods and performance of services
Fair Labor Standards Act (1938)
set 25 cents an hour and 44 hours a week as initial minimum standards. Also banned child labor. Didn't protect farmers, domestic workers, fishermen, etc.
Federal Reserve Board
A seven-member board that sets member banks reserve requirements, controls the discount rate, and makes other economic decisions.
fiscal year
A 12-month period, October through September, for planning the federal budget
flat tax
Proportional tax on individual income after a specified threshold has been reached
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
helps Congress perfom its oversight functions by reviewing activities of exectuive branch to see if it's following congressional intent of laws and efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation. also sets government standards for accounting, provi
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act (1985)
Mandated maximum allowable deficit levels for each year until 1993, when the budget was to be balanced
House Ways and Means Committee
House committee that along with the Senate Finance Committee writes the tax codes, subject to the approval of Congress as a whole.
impoundments
A presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress
inflation
rise in the general price level (and decrease in dollar value) owing to an increase in the volume of money and credit in relation to available goods
interest group politics
-have an undue influence and interact with all
three branches while government officials search
for consensus among competing interests
-raise and spend money in elections to ensure that
people friendly to their ideas are elected
-send professional resear
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
A government agency that prescribes the rules and regulations that govern the collection of tax revenues in the United States
mandatory spending
Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.
majoritarian politics
come from the interaction between the people and the government in order to put into to place and carry out the will of the majority
Medicaid
the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. Jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. Medicaid is the largest source of funding for medical and health-related se
Medicare
a national social insurance program, administered by the U.S. federal government since 1965, that guarantees access to health insurance for Americans ages 65 and older and younger people with disabilities.
monetary policy
government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling the money supply and thus interest rates
National Labor Relations Board
(established by Wagner Act) Greatly enhanced power of American labor by overseeing collective bargaining; continues to arbitrate labor-management disputes today
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
agreements signed by the US, Canada, and Mexico in 1992 to reform the largest free trade zone in the world
Occupational Health and Safety Act (1970)
the most comprehensive US law regarding worker safety, it authorized the federal government to establish and enforce occupational safety and health standards for all placed of employment engaging in interstate commerce. Employers must provide employees a
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Helps the president to prepare an annual budget for the executive branch, and reviews all federal spending
pluralist theory
-believe that the ideas and viewpoints of the
United States are so scattered and so varied that
no single view can control the shaping and
administration of policy
-the large variety of viewpoints results in public
policy that is usually established by a
progressive tax
a tax graduated so that people with higher incomes pay a larger fraction of their income than people with lower incomes
Reaganomics
belief that a combination of monetarism, lower federal spending, and supply-side economics will stimulate the economy
sequester
provision in a bill that required across-the-board percentage cuts in all federal programs if the president and Congress failed to agree on a total spending level that met the law's targets
16th Amendment
Amendment to the United States Constitution (1913) gave Congress the power to tax income.
Social Security Act (1935)
Social insurance that provides economic assistance to persons faced with unemployment, disability, or old age. It is financed by taxes on employers and employees.
superfund
A fund created by Congress in 1980 to clean up hazardous waste sites. Money for the fund comes from taxing chemical products.
supply-side economics
An economic philosophy that holds the sharply cutting taxes will increase the incentive people have to work, save, and invest. Greater investments will lead to more jobs, a more productive economy, and more tax revenues for the government.
surplus
The amount by which annual revenue exceeds spending.
Taft-Hartley Act (1947)
outlawed "closed" shops (closed to non-union members), made unions liable for damages that resulted from jurisdictional disputes among themselves, and required that union leaders take non-communist oaths
trade balance
an imbalance in international trade in which the value of imports exceeds the value of exports
Wagner Act (1935)
it gave workers involved in interstate commerce the right to organize labor unions and engage in collective bargaining and prevented employers from discriminating against labor leaders and taking action against union leaders.
Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty (1972)
Treaty between the US and Soviet Union to avoid nuclear weaponry. Stable until Reagan initiated the Strategic Defense Initiative in '83
appeasement
A political policy of conceding to aggression by a warlike nation.
Atlantic Charter
August 1941; called for peace without territorial expansion of secret aggreements, and for free elections, and self-determination for all leberated nations
Bush Doctrine
A policy adopted by the Bush administration in 2001 that asserts America's right to attack any nation that has weapons of mass destruction that might be used against U.S. interests at home or abroad.
Camp David Accords (1979)
the peace accords signed by Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat to finally end the Israeli-Egyptian disputes. The achievement by Carter is considered his greatest achievement in office.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
an independent agency of the United States government responsible for collecting and coordinating intelligence and counterintelligence activities abroad in the national interest
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
The commanding officers of the armed services who advise the president on military policy
collective security
a system in which a group of nations acts as one to preserve the peace of all
containment
A foreign policy strategy advocated by George Kennan that called for the United States to isolate the Soviet Union, "contain" its advances, and resist its encroachments by peaceful means if possible, but by force if necessary
Council on Foreign Relations
a private but powerful foreign policy think tank funded by the Rockefellers
Cuban Missile Crisis
the situation that followed the USSR's installation of hostile missiles in the Caribbean
Dayton Accords
The peace agreement reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio in November 1995, and formally signed in Paris on December 14, 1995. These accords put an end to the three and a half year long war in Bosnia.
d�tente
A softening of tensions, a willingness to begin a better dialogue between the US and its communist adversaries
disengagement
the belief that the US was harmed by its war in Vietnam and so should avoid supposedly similar events
Domino Theory
The idea that if the US allowed for another country to fall to communism, additional, adjacent countries would follow
enlargement
Policy implemented during the Clinton administration that the US would actively promote the expansion of democracy and free markets throughout the world.
Fourteen Points
A plan designed to prevent future conflict proposed by President Woodrow Wilson. Allowed large and small states to protect one another from imperialists or expansionist invaders
gold plating
Pentagon officials pressuring Congress for premium war machines
Gulf of Tonkin Resolutions (1964)
Empowered the president to use "all necessary measures" to prevents further aggression in Southeast Asia. Gave the president wide latitude to conduct war
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
A standing committee of the United States House of Representatives which has jurisdiction over bills and investigations related to the foreign affairs of the United States.
Iran-Contra scandal
sold weapons to Iran illegally and used money to aid contra effort in Nicaragua
isolationism
A policy of nonparticipation in international economic and political relations
Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)
Signed by 65 countries. Tried to outlaw war by stating that settlements to international disputes should never be sought except by peaceful means.
League of Nations
A postwar peace organization designed to provide a forum for resolving international disputes. The Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles or to agree to the membership terms. Wilson came up with it, but the Congress would not ratify the US join
Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963)
Prohibited nuclear weapons tests under water, in the atmosphere, or in outer space. Included a pledge by the signatories to work toward complete disarmament
military-industrial complex
That network of large defense manufacturers and government defense leaders who purchase and use the best possible war materiel, always trying to stay on top of technological changes
Monroe Doctrine
Defined the US position of staying out of European affairs, but that the Europeans should also avoid further colonization of lands in the Western Hemisphere. US declaring its "sphere of influence
Munich Conference
Britain and France met with Hitler and agreed on a policy of appeasement
1938 conference at which European leaders attempted to appease Hitler by turning over the Sudetenland to him in exchange for promise that Germany would not expand Germany's territory
mutually assured destruction (MAD)
Both sides (US and USSR) realized the devastation nuclear war would cause and thus refrained from using such weapons
National Security Act (1947)
Restructured the administration and shape foreign & military policy at the beginning of the Cold War. Merged the Departments of War and Navy into the Department of Defense to create the National Security Council
National Security Council (NSC)
A council to advise the president in respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security. Advisory board composed of top civilian and military personnel dedicated to ensuring that the president considers ma
normalization
The idea that media sources will increasingly make their news available online as more people begin using the Internet.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
A smaller organization dominated by western European countries, the US, and Canada. Engages in foreign policy programs, peacekeeping missions, and humanitarian endeavors
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
Prevented the transfer of nuclear technology from one country to another. Signed by the US, USSR, and Great Britain
Operation Desert Storm
the United States and its allies defeated Iraq in a ground war that lasted 100 hours (1991)
peace dividend
An economic benefit gained from a reduction in defense spending.
Roosevelt Corollary
Speak softly, but carry a big stick." Extension of the Monroe Doctrine
Roosevelt's 1904 extension of the Monroe Doctrine, stating that the United States has the right to protect its economic interests in South And Central America by using military force,
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
More powerful and influential than the House Committee. Confirms presidential appointees and considers treaties before going to the full Senate. Dedicated to the nation's relationships with other countries
Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT)
Salt I - ushered in a new area of d�tent between the USSR and the US and essentially froze the military balance between the two nations
Salt II - failed.
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)
renamed "star wars" by critics, a plan for defense against the soviet union unveiled by prez reagan in 1983. it would create a global umbrella in space, using computers to scan the skies and high-tech devices to destroy invading missiles
Truman Doctrine
A policy meant to halt Soviet expansion by providing aid to all democratic nations threatened by communism. Specifically addressed Turkey and Greece
United Nations
Created after WWII. Has 193 member nations and is involved with peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and working toward human rights. Committed to maintain peace and foster cooperation among nations, but committed to using force necessary to stop aggres
War Powers Act (1973)
Gives the president 48 hours in which to engage in urgent combat without informing Congress. Mandates that after 60 days from the start of combat, Congress must vote to either approve or stop the engagement. Vetoed by Nixon, but overidden by Congress
Youngstown Sheet & Tube v. Sawyer (1951)
Question: Can the president take over an industry in the name of wartime national security?
Answer: No
Context: the US was at war with North Korea and the steel industry went on strike so Truman issued an executive agreement that was eventually revoked