US Gov and Politics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.