Which of the following is not an example of unilateral action?

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, was created by Congress under the Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970 to compensate for the increasing popularity of the automobile. Amtrak is responsible for shuttling Americans along railway lines across the country. While it exists alongside other privately-owned passenger railway services, the federal government exclusively funds and exercises significant oversight over Amtrak because the entity serves an important public interest. The entity is also not subject to federal taxes on their annual profits, but instead, its annual profits are used to maintain its operations. Which of the following characterizes Amtrak?

Nominations to the US Supreme Court follow the norm of senatorial courtesy, whereby the president consults with senators of the state that contains the vacant judicial seat.

A petition submitted to the US Supreme Court requesting that it order (i.e., call up, request) records from the lower courts and review the case is referred to as _________________.

Assuming a banking system with limited reserves, an increase in the money supply will result in an increase in

During national emergencies or war, presidents usually experience a _________________, whereby Americans’ support for the president increases and support for his policy solutions and actions remain unchallenged by the opposing branches.

The US has a ___________________ system, where laws are actively developed and modified through judicial decisions, while some countries utilize a _____________ system, where laws are detailed, comprehensive, and largely discourage judicial interpretation.

If citizens and journalists alert Congress to problems within a bureaucratic agency, and Congress responds to their concerns by conducting investigations and developing legislation to remedy these problems, Congress is engaging in ______________________.

Whether engaging their colleagues in conference or thinking in their private chambers, justices to the Supreme Court are influenced by a range of factors when deciding winners and losers in cases. Such factors include how they view the role of the Supreme Court (i.e., judicial activism or restraint), their political ideology and political preferences (i.e., conservative or liberal), their personal background (i.e., race, gender, ethnicity, religion, parenthood, education, etc.), and the “court of public opinion.” Both Republicans (2017) and Democrats (2013) altered Senate rules to ban the use of the filibuster on nominations to the federal courts, meaning senators can no longer delay the confirmation process of federal judges to the bench. Fifty votes of support, with the Vice President casting the tie-breaking vote, are now enough. Once confirmed, federal judges serve lifetime appointments, and they retain their positions so long as they maintain “good behavior.” Justices, of course, make controversial and consequential decisions. When nominating candidates to join the most important court, what qualities should the president emphasize? Rank the following factors from important (1) to least important (9): Political ideology (conservative or liberal) Gender Race Age Religion Endorsement of the American Bar Association, an organization of lawyers A law degree** Prestige/importance of law school (Ivy League vs. non-Ivy League) Area of legal expertise (constitutional law, family law, corporate law, property law, criminal law, international law, etc.)   **The last justice to be appointed who did not attend any law school was James F. Byrnes. He didn’t graduate from high school, he taught himself law, and he passed the bar at the age of 23! He also holds the record for the shortest service in the Supreme Court—15 months (1941-1942). He joined FDR’s Cabinet.

When the media selectively chooses which stories to report or publish to their viewers (i.e., sets the agenda), it affects public opinion by engaging in framing.