Executive Branch Flashcards
Gridlock
A situation where the legislative process is stalled because lawmakers can’t agree on policy decisions
Formal Power
Explicit authority granted to an individual in office by a governing document
Informal Power
Unofficial capabilities or influence that an executive has outside of governing documents
Executive Order
Official directives issued by the President without Congressional approval
Executive Agreement
International agreements made by the President without need for Senate approval
Treaty
Formal agreement made between two or more sovereign states that are legally binding
Cabinet
Group of presidential advisors
Bully Pulpit
The platform that the President has to advocate for their agenda
State of the Union
The annual address that the President gives to the Congress to outline their goals for the year
Executive Privilege
The right of the President/high ranking officials to refuse to disclose information
22nd Amendment
Limits the President to two terms in office
25th Amendment
Outlines the Presidential succession
Veto
The power of an official to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislative body
Pocket Veto
Veto made by President when they take no action on a bill for ten days when Congress is adjourned
Line-Item Veto
Allows an executive to veto parts of a legislative proposal
Signing Statement
A written comment issued by a President at the time of signing legislation
Impeachment
Constitutional procedure through which federal officials can be removed from office for committing high crimes and misdemeanors
Pardon
Power of President to forgive individuals of federal crimes
Lame Duck
An elected official in the final period of their term
Congressional Oversight
The power of Congress to monitor federal agencies
Bureaucracy
Large and complex system of administration consisting of appointed officials
Executive Office of the President
The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the President carry out his responsibilities
White House Staff
Group of advisors who support the President in carrying out their duties
Executive Departments
Primary units of the executive branch responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and regulations
Independent Regulatory Commissions
Federal agencies created by Congress that are designed to regulate specific economic activities or interests
Government Corporations
Entities created by the government to provide specific services that are considered to important for the government to leave in private hands
Office of Management and Budget
Responsible for assisting the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and evaluating effectiveness of agency programs
Discretionary Authority/Bureaucratic Discretion
The power given to government agencies or officials to make decisions based on their own judgement when implementing laws
Civil Service
A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit system
Merit System
Method of hiring and promoting government employees based on merit rather than political ideologies
Pendleton Act
Federal act that established a merit based system for federal employment
Iron Triangle
The policymaking relationship between congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups
Issue Network
The complex web of relationships among various stakeholders, including government officials, interest groups, and other entities that come together around a specific policy issue
Appropriation
A law of Congress that provides an agency with budget authority
Regulation
Rules and guidelines created by government agencies to control and manage activities, behaviors, or processes within society
