Article II Vocabulary

Question 1

The Executive Branch

Answer 1

• implements and enforces the laws written by Congress
• consists of the President, his or her advisors, and various departments and agencies

Question 2

State of the Union

Answer 2

• message from the President to Congress,
• usually given once a year in January/February

Question 3

Veto power

Answer 3

formal,constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed by both Congress houses; consequently preventing them from becoming laws without further congressional action

Question 4

Presidential oath of office

Answer 4

The Oath, as stated in Article II, Section I, Clause 8 of the U.S. Constitution, is as follows: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Question 5

22nd Amendment

Answer 5

• Adopted in 1951;
• prevents a president from serving more than two terms or over 10 years
• if they came to office via death, resignation, or impeachment of a predecessor.

Question 6

25th Amendment

Answer 6

• Adopted in 1967
• establish procedures for filling openings of offices of president and vice president
• providing procedures to deal with the disabilities of a president.

Question 7

Executive Order

Answer 7

• rules/regulations issued by president
• affects the law
• must be published by the Federal Register

Question 8

Presidential cabinet

Answer 8

• a governmental body that includes the vice president and a group of 15 representatives
• advises president on any subject they may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office

Question 9

The administrative state

Answer 9

• tension between democracy and bureaucracy
• obliges (requires) career public servants to protect democratic principles

Question 10

Bureaucracy

Answer 10

a complex organization that has multilayered systems and processes

(ex: government agencies, large corporations, and the military)

Question 11

Impeachment

Answer 11

Power assigned to the House of Reps in the Constitution to charge the president, vice president, or other “civil officers”. First step to removing officials from office.

Question 12

Treason

Answer 12

betrayal of one’s own country by attempting to overthrow the government through waging war against the state or materially aiding its enemies

Question 13

Bribery

Answer 13

the giving or offering of a bribe.

Question 14

“High crimes and misdemeanors”

Answer 14

a serious offense

Question 15

Pardons

Answer 15

executive grant providing restoration of all rights and privileges of citizenship when someone gets charged/convicted of a crime.

Question 16

Clemency

Answer 16

the power of the President of the United States or a state governor to pardon a criminal or to commute a sentence

Question 17

Commutations

Answer 17

lowering a prison sentence

Question 18

Electoral College

Answer 18

• a body of people representing the states of the US
• formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president

Question 19

Swing state

Answer 19

• US state where the two major political parties have similar levels of support among voters
• viewed as important in determining the overall result of a presidential election.

Question 20

Primary

Answer 20

elections that political parties use to select candidates for a general election

Question 21

Caucus

Answer 21

private meetings run by political parties

Question 22

Convention

Answer 22

• a large meeting of people
• discusses, negotiate, create or amend fundamental laws, rules, regulations, or agreements