Chapter 14 - The Presidency Flashcards
Bully Pulpit
The president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
Ad Hoc Structure
Several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters
Cabinet
The heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government
Circular Structure
Several of the President’s assistants report directly to him
Delegate
1/a person sent or authorized to represent others
2/to entrust a task/responsibility to another person
Divided Government
One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both chambers of Congress
Electoral College
The people chosen to cast each state’s votes it a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator.
Executive Agreement
An international agreement, regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty. It’s informal and temporary.
Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Consists of the immediate staff of the current President and multiple levels of support staff reporting to the President.
Executive Order
A presidential directive that has the force/effect of law
Executive Privilege
The privilege, claimed by the President for the Executive Branch of the US Government, of withholding information in the public interest.
Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
Honeymoon
The short period after the president is inaugurated when the opposing party refrains from attack
Impeachment
Charges against a President approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
Impoundment
An act by the President of not spending money that has been appropriated by Congress
In-and-Outers
People who alternate between jobs in the federal government and employment in the private sector
Independent Agencies
Agencies that exist outside the federal executive departments. They are independent of presidential control.
Lame Duck
A person still in office after he/she has lost a bid for reelection
Legislative Veto
The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress doesn’t have this power
Line-Item Veto
An executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
The largest office within the Executive office of the President. Director is a member of the President’s cabinet.
Pocket Veto
A bill fails to become a law because the President did not sign it in the 10 days before Congress adjourns
Pyramid Structure
A president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff.
Representative Democracy
A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote
Signing Statement
A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.
Treaty
A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries
Trustee
An individual person or member of a board given control or powers of administration
25th Amendment
Deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities
22nd Amendment
Limits presidential terms to two for any one person, or to one elected term if the person has completed more than two years of another’s term.
Unified Government
The same party controls the White House and the two chambers of Congress
Veto
Literally, “I forbid”: it refers to the power of a President to disapprove a bill; it may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of each House of Congress
Veto Message
A message from the President to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within 10 days of the bill’s passage.
