Terms Defined

The terms below come up often in political conversations. Some of these terms, such as "Hyde Amendment", refer to something specific and well-defined. Some of these terms, such as "high capacity magazines", are less well defined and their definitions are often the subject of debate. This page is intended to give a definition that supports better understanding of the term. Each term below is a clickable link to the most relevant Wikipedia page (other than Early Voting).

Assault weapons or combat style weapons
This is a legal distinction that often refers to firearms that can fire multiple rounds of ammunition with a single trigger pull.

Border wall or The Wall
Many sections of the US-Mexico border have some kind of a physical barrier; this has been true since the early 1900's with barriers having been built by both countries at various times. The Wall generally refers to the campaign promise made by former President Donald Trump to construct a contiguous barrier along the entirety of the US-Mexico border, a plan that was not completed during his presidency.

Cash bail
After someone is arrested and charged with a crime, individuals awaiting trial often have the opportunity to pay a deposit to the court that will be held until they have fulfilled all their appearance obligations. This amount is often scaled relative to the severity of the alleged crime. Individuals who do not have the funds available to pay this deposit are held in jail pending trial.

Citizens United
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a Supreme Court case brought by a non-profit organization seeking to broadcast a film relevant to the 2008 Democratic primaries. The resulting decision, often referred to simply as "Citizens United", granted broad speech rights to corporations.

DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
DACA is a legal framework for immigrants who were brought to the United States as children that protects individuals from deportation actions. All individuals eligible for DACA arrived in the United States in 2007 or earlier. DACA has seen legal challenges since 2012 when it was enacted.

DC statehood
The United States Constitution establishes a non-state federal district as the nation's capital; the population of permanent residents in this district has grown notably since this policy was established.

Early voting
Officially this process is casting an absentee ballot in person; early voting makes voting more accessible to more people by expanding in-person voting beyond Election Day. Voters who need to update their registration can complete both a registration change and cast a ballot at early voting locations.

Expanded Child Tax Credit
During Covid, an existing tax credit was increased, made fully refundable, and implemented as monthly payments to families. This specifically benefitted lower income families who were previously not able to receive the full benefits of the tax credit. The expanded tax credit expired at the end of 2021.

Gold standard
A monetary policy where a unit of currency is equivalent to a particular quantity of gold.

High capacity magazines
This is a legal definition for a magazine that can hold more ammunition than a desired quantity. In the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, all magazines that hold more than 10 rounds were considered to be high capacity.

Hyde Amendment
Legislation that prohibits federal funding from paying for abortions, unless the life of the mother is at risk or the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. First passed in 1976, this legislation has been renewed annually since that time and has been revised at various times.

Inflation
The economic term for when costs of goods increase more quickly than wages.

Marijuana legalization versus decriminalization
Legalization refers to making marijuana allowed; decriminalization reduces the penalties for possession and use of marijuana. This reduction in penalties may not be symmetric for users of marijuana and providers of marijuana.

Medicare for All
Medicare is the public health insurance program in the United States for individuals age 65 and older. Medicare for All is a policy idea that removes the age qualification and would create a single-payer healthcare system. Legislation to implement this policy was first introduced to the US House of Representatives in 2003.

Pathway to citizenship
A specific type of immigration policy that creates a way for undocumented immigrants to become citizens. The specifics of this policies can vary widely.

Preclearance (on redistricting)
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 established certain jurisdictions, states and counties, with histories of voter suppression or discrimination that would require approval from the Department of Justice to make changes to election laws.

Senate filibuster
The Senate filibuster is when extended debate prevents a vote on a bill due to extended delays. The Senate rules on this have changed over time; a "talking filibuster" is when continued speech is required. Eliminating the filibuster would mean that the Senate no longer requires 60 votes to end debate and move to a vote.

Swing state
Typically used in reference to presidential elections, a swing state is a state that could vote for either a Democrat or a Republican candidate in a statewide race. The perception of states as swing states does not always match the voting record of state.

Universal background checks
A policy that would require background checks for private party firearm sales between individuals in addition to existing requirements for licensed firearm dealers to complete background checks prior to sale. This policy is distinct from a mandatory waiting period.