4B Vocab Flashcards
Federalist #70
Alexander Hamilton argues that a single executive (led by one person as president, rather than several people acting as a council) is the best form for the executive branch of the United States
Signing statements
Informal power that informs Congress and the public of the president’s interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president
Treaty
A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate
Executive agreement
A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval
Veto
A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress
Pocket veto
A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns- if Congress adjourns during the ten days that the President is allowed in order to sign or veto a law, the president can reject the law by taking no action at all
Take care clause
The constitutional requirement (in Article II, Section 3) that presidents can take care that the laws are faithfully executed, even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws
Inherent powers
Powers that grow out of the very existence of government
State of the Union Address
The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation
Impeachment
Formal accusation against a president or other public official, the first step in removal from office
War Powers Resolution
A resolution passed in 1973 requiring the president to give advance warning of a military attack or ask Congress for a declaration of war or specific legislation
Executive privilege
The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to National Security
Executive orders
Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy
Impoundment
A decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress, now prohibited under Federal law
Line item veto
Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
Chief of Staff
The head of the White House staff
Executive Office of the President
The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisers, and several other units
Office of Management and Budget
The presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies
Cabinet
Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president
Mandate
A president’s claim of broad public support
Rally point
A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis as Americans “rally ‘round the flag” and the chief executive
