Ch 12 Executive Branch Flashcards
Vocabulary: Bully Pulpit
A position of authority or public visibility that makes one’s views known or rallies support
Clemency
General term for the president’s power to grant forgiveness for a crime in who or in part. Pardons and reprieves are two types of clemency.
Commander-in-Chief
Express role of the president to serve as head of the armed forces.
Executive Agreement
Agreement made by the President of the United States and another foreign head of state that does not require a formal treaty and is not subject to Senate approval. This is an inherent power of the president in conducting foreign relations.
Executive Order
Directive issued by the president to one or more agency or organization within the executive branch. This is an inherent power of the president that allows him/her to, as the Constitution directs, “take care that the laws be faithfully executed” (Article II, Section 3).
Executive Privilege
The right of the president to withhold certain information from Congress or the courts.
Express (Formal) Powers
Specific powers granted to the president by the Constitution.
Implied (Informal) Powers
Powers no specifically given to the president by the Constitution but have been traditionally exercised.
Inherent Powers
Specific powers needed to carry out the express duties of the president.
Pardon
Express power of the president to forgive individuals of federal crimes resulting in the release from prison or punishment.
Pocket Veto
Occurs when the president does not sign a bill into law within 10 days of arriving on his desk and if Congress has officially adjourned (but not simply recessed).
Policy Agenda
A set of policies or issues or underlying motives to be addressed by a political party, group, or individual. The President of the United States drives (or sets) the policy agenda for the White House and his party in Congress.
POTUS
President of the United States
Presidential Coattails
When a popular president can help members of her or his party win an election or pass legislation because of that popularity (i.e.”riding the President’s coattails” to victory).
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
Law that set the line of presidential succession if neither the president nor vice-president could no longer serve; behind the vice-president is the Speaker of the House, followed by the President Pro-Tempore of the Senate.
Reprieve
Constitutionally provided power of the president to postpone a person’s punishment for a federal crime.
Signing Statement
An addition issued by the President that accompanies the signing of a law. These are often controversial because their legal status remains uncertain.
22nd Amendment
Constitutional amendment that limits the number of full terms a president can serve to two.
25th Amendment
Constitutional amendment that clearly defines that the vice-president becomes president (not just an acting president) in the event of the death or incapacitation of the President of the United States. The amendment also allows for the president to sign over her/his duties to the vice-president if (s)he will be unable to temporarily discharge her or his duties.
Veto
The power of one branch of the government to refuse approval of measure proposed by another.
Veto Message
An official order that stops something from occurring that would otherwise happen (such as the President’s or governor’s right to stop something from being passed into law).
Fourth Branch Of Government
Term sometimes made in reference to the mass media in relation to its capacity as a check on government power (also is a term referring to the bureaucracy, but that does not apply here).
War-Making Powers
Refers to the power of the president to use the military to engage in acts of war.
War Powers Act (Resolution) of 1973
Federal law passed after the Vietnam War attempting to limit presidential war-making powers by requiring more consultation with and oversight by Congress.
Chief Executive
Formal Constitutional role of the president as head and chief administrator of the executive branch.
Ad Hoc Model
(“For this purpose” in Latin) Model of office organization in the White House where subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters.
Cabinet
A board to advise the President composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch.
Chief Of Staff
The highest ranking employee of the White House Office inside the Executive Office of the President and an assistant to the president. No one sees the president without going through the White House Chief of Staff.
Circular (Hub and Spokes) Model
A method of organizing the president’s staff in which several presidential assistants report directly to the president.
Executive Office Of The President
Those who work directly for the President of the United States and overseen by the White House Chief of Staff.
Office (Council) Of Economic Advisors
Agency within the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on economic policy.
Office Of Management And Budget (OMB)
A cabinet-level office and the largest office in the Executive Office of the President that assists the president in preparing and administering the federal budget.
National Security Advisor
Serves as chief advisor to the president on issues of national security.
National Security Council
The principle forum used by the president to consider issues and policy within the realm of national security; the Council comprises the president, vice-president, chief of staff, national security advisor, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (military head of all armed forces).
Press Secretary
Senior advisor to he president who provides advice on dealing with the media and formulating the president’s message to the country; also is the mouthpiece of the president and the White House.
Pyramid Structure
A structure in which the president’s subordinates report to him through as clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff.
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Presidential-appointed and approved by the Senate, this person represents the United States in the UN and follows the direction of the President of the United States
West Wing
Location of the offices, including the president’s Oval Office, in the White House.
“Advice And Consent”
Role of the United States Senate in relation to presidential appointments (i.e. cabinet posts or federal judges) and foreign policy agreements (treaties).
Confirmation Process
Process in the Senate by which presidential appointments are approved or reject, first in committee then before the full Senate.
Line Of Succession
Refers to the order in which the president is succeeded in office is (s)he were to no longer be able to discharge her or his duties.
Recess Appointment
When the president appointments a judge, ambassador, or cabinet member while Congress is out of session (in recess). That individual remains at that post until the Senate is out of recess and can consider the appointment.
Patronage
When the president or member of Congress appoints a political ally or supporter to a position of power.
Censure
An option for punishment after findings of wrong doing of members of the United States government, including following a conviction in impeachment proceedings. Censure consists of a public reprimand, an embarrassing prospect for any politician.
House Managers
Members of the House Judiciary Committee who oversee the prosecution for an impeachment trial in the Senate.
Impeachment
A process that is used to charge, try, and remove public officials for misconduct while in office. Impeachment begins in the House of Representatives. If articles of impeachment are passed by a simple majority (218 of the 435) in the House, the trial takes place in the Senate. The vote to convict in the Senate must also be 2/3, or 67 of the 100 members.
Lame Duck
When an elected official is approaching the end of his or her tenure and/or when an official’s successor has already been elected.
