APGov - The Presidentcy Key Terms

Question 1

Executive branch

Answer 1

The institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by the legislative branch

Question 2

Formal or enumerated powers

Answer 2

Powers of the president expressly granted in the Constitution

Question 3

Informal power

Answer 3

Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties

Question 4

Treaty

Answer 4

An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a ⅔ vote in the Senate to ratify

Question 5

State of the Union Address

Answer 5

The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs

Question 6

Veto

Answer 6

Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress

Question 7

Pocket Veto

Answer 7

An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.

Question 8

Presidential Pardon

Answer 8

Presidential authority to forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime

Question 9

Executive Privilege

Answer 9

A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of congress.

Question 10

Signing Statement

Answer 10

Text issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself.

Question 11

Executive order

Answer 11

Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval

Question 12

War powers resolution

Answer 12

A law passed over president Nixon’s veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization.

Question 13

Impeachment

Answer 13

the process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing

Question 14

Executive office of the president

Answer 14

A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president

Question 15

Bargaining and persuasion

Answer 15

An informal tool used by the president to persuade members of congress to support his or her policy initiatives

Question 16

Bully pulpit

Answer 16

Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies.

Question 17

21nd Amendment

Answer 17

ended the Prohibition of alcohol in the US

Question 18

25th amendment

Answer 18

In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Question 19

Cabinet

Answer 19

The secretaries, or chief administrators, of the major departments of the federal government.

Question 20

National Security Council

Answer 20

An interagency advisory group that shares information to advise the president, with respect to the integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies relating to national security.

Question 21

Council of economic advisors

Answer 21

A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy

Question 22

Office of management and budget

Answer 22

The executive branch office that assists the president in setting national spending priorities

Question 23

Chief of staff

Answer 23

The person who is named to direct the White House Office and advise the president.

Question 24

Press secretary

Answer 24

a senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesperson for the executive branch of the United States government administration, especially with regard to the President, senior executives, and policies.

Question 25

White house counsel

Answer 25

President’s lawyer

Question 26

National security advisor

Answer 26

The committe which links the president’s foreign and military policy advisers