April Glossary

Last Updated for the April Issue of Free Speech on March 31

Here is the alphabetical list of the terms along with their legal or political definitions:

1. 2016 Republican primary – The primary election process in which Republican candidates competed for their party’s nomination for the U.S. presidency in 2016.

2. 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – A law signed by President Trump that significantly changed the U.S. tax code, lowering corporate tax rates and altering individual tax brackets.

3. 2018 Parkland school shooting – A mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that led to significant gun control advocacy.

4. Affordable Care Act (ACA) – A 2010 law that expanded healthcare coverage, introduced healthcare marketplaces, and prohibited insurance discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.

5. Alien Enemies Act of 1798 – A law that allows the U.S. government to detain or deport non-citizens from enemy nations during wartime.

6. America First – A political slogan and policy approach prioritizing American economic and security interests, often associated with the Trump administration.

7. American Immigration Council – A nonprofit organization focused on immigration policy research, legal advocacy, and public education.

8. American Rescue Plan – A $1.9 trillion economic relief package passed in 2021 to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

9. Background checks (gun control) – The process of reviewing an individual's criminal and mental health history before they can legally purchase a firearm.

10. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – A 2021 law that allocated funding for transportation, broadband, and water infrastructure projects across the U.S.

11. Bob Dole – Former U.S. Senator and Republican presidential nominee known for his long tenure in Congress.

12. Carbon emissions reduction – Policies aimed at reducing the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to mitigate climate change.

13. Ceasefire – A temporary suspension of fighting, typically as part of diplomatic negotiations or humanitarian efforts.

14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – A U.S. government agency responsible for public health and disease prevention.

15. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – A federal agency overseeing Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance programs under the ACA.

16. Child Tax Credit – A federal tax benefit that provides financial assistance to families with children, reducing their tax liability.

17. Clean energy – Energy sources that produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions, such as wind, solar, and nuclear power.

18. Cryptocurrency – Digital or virtual currencies that use cryptographic technology, often decentralized and based on blockchain technology.

19. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) – A U.S. immigration policy that provides temporary protection from deportation for undocumented immigrants who arrived as children.

20. Defense Production Act – A law granting the president emergency powers to direct industrial production for national defense needs.

21. DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) – Policies and initiatives aimed at promoting representation and fair treatment in workplaces and institutions.

22. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – A fictional or humorous reference, as no such department exists in the U.S. government.

23. Department of Justice (DOJ) – The federal agency responsible for enforcing U.S. laws, including oversight of the FBI and federal prosecutions.

24. Deregulation – The reduction or elimination of government rules and restrictions on businesses and industries.

25. Deportation – The formal removal of a non-citizen from the U.S. for violating immigration laws.

26. Divest – The process of selling off assets, often for ethical or political reasons, such as divesting from fossil fuels.

27. Economic sanctions – Trade or financial restrictions imposed by governments to influence the behavior of another country.

28. Electoral College – The body that formally elects the U.S. president, consisting of electors from each state based on congressional representation.

29. Elon Musk – Entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, known for his influence in the tech and financial sectors.

30. Entitlement reform – Policy proposals aimed at modifying government programs such as Social Security and Medicare to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.

31. Executive order – A directive issued by the U.S. president that has the force of law without requiring congressional approval.

32. Fintech – Financial technology that enhances or disrupts traditional financial services, including digital payments and cryptocurrency.

33. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – A U.S. agency responsible for regulating food, drugs, medical devices, and vaccines.

34. Gang of Eight Immigration Bill (2013) – A bipartisan immigration reform proposal that aimed to provide a path to citizenship and strengthen border security.

35. Geopolitical – Relating to the influence of geography on politics and international relations.

36. GOP (Grand Old Party) – The Republican Party.

37. Green New Deal – A proposed policy framework aiming to address climate change and economic inequality through large-scale government investments.

38. Gun control – Laws and policies regulating the ownership, sale, and use of firearms.

39. Hamas – A Palestinian militant organization and political entity, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other governments.

40. Health and Human Services Department (HHS) – The federal agency responsible for public health, welfare, and social services programs.

41. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – Tax-advantaged savings accounts for medical expenses, available to individuals with high-deductible health plans.

42. Hostages – Individuals held against their will, often in conflict or criminal situations, as leverage for demands.

43. House Ethics Committee – A congressional committee responsible for investigating and enforcing ethical standards for House members.

44. Humanitarian aid – Assistance provided to people affected by crises, including food, medical care, and shelter.

45. I.C.E. agents – Officers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for immigration enforcement and deportations.

46. Impeachment – The process by which a legislative body formally charges a government official with misconduct, potentially leading to removal from office.

47. Inflation Reduction Act – A 2022 law aimed at reducing inflation, investing in clean energy, and lowering prescription drug costs.

48. International law – The legal framework governing relations between nations, including treaties and human rights conventions.

49. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – The leader of Israel’s government, known for his long political career.

50. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman – The highest-ranking military officer in the U.S., serving as the principal military advisor to the president.

51. Labor unions – Organizations that advocate for workers' rights, wages, and working conditions through collective bargaining.

52. Medicaid – A joint federal-state program providing healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families.

53. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) – A military alliance of Western countries formed for mutual defense.

54. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – A U.S. government agency conducting and funding medical research.

55. National security – Policies and measures to protect a country from threats, including military and cybersecurity concerns.

56. National Security Council (NSC) – A White House advisory body focused on national security and foreign policy.

57. NRA (National Rifle Association) – A gun rights advocacy group that lobbies against gun control laws.

58. Paris Climate Agreement – An international accord aiming to limit global temperature rise and reduce carbon emissions.

59. Pell Grants – Federal grants providing financial aid to low-income college students.

60. Popular vote – The total number of votes cast by individuals in an election, as opposed to the Electoral College outcome.

61. Prescription drug costs – The price of medications, often a topic of policy debate over affordability and regulation.

62. Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act – Proposed legislation to restrict apps controlled by foreign adversaries.

63. Public opinion – The collective attitudes and beliefs of the public on political and social issues.

64. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) – A strategic forum between the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia focused on Indo-Pacific security.

65. Reproductive rights – Legal rights concerning access to contraception, abortion, and reproductive healthcare.

66. Remain in Mexico – A U.S. immigration policy requiring asylum seekers to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed.

67. Riviera of the Middle East – A nickname for luxury coastal areas in the Middle East, often referring to Dubai or Lebanon.

68. Roe v. Wade – The now-overturned Supreme Court decision that previously recognized a constitutional right to abortion.

69. Sanctions – Economic or political measures used to pressure a country or entity.

70. Secretary of Education – The head of the U.S. Department of Education, overseeing federal education policy.

71. Secretary-General António Guterres – The current leader of the United Nations.

72. Severance agreements – Contracts outlining compensation and conditions for employees who are leaving a company.

73. Taxation rates – The percentage of income or transactions that must be paid as taxes.

74. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – A federal agency responsible for border security and customs enforcement.

75. U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) – The federal agency overseeing the U.S. military.

76. U.S. military footprint – The global presence of U.S. military bases and operations.

77. Vaccinations – Immunizations that protect individuals from infectious diseases.

78. Vivek Ramaswamy – Entrepreneur and political figure known for his involvement in biotechnology and conservative politics.

79. Voting rights – Laws and policies governing access to the electoral process.

80. White House Counsel's Office – The legal advisory office for the U.S. president.

81. Withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 (United States) – The U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending a 20-year conflict.

82. X (formerly Twitter) – The social media platform rebranded by Elon Musk.