Executive Branch Vocab

Question 1

Gridlock

Answer 1

The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action.

Question 2

Formal Power

Answer 2

Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Question 3

Informal Power

Answer 3

Authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

Question 4

Executive Order

Answer 4

A directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of Congress.

Question 5

Executive Agreement

Answer 5

A pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president’s term.

Question 6

Treaty

Answer 6

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.

Question 7

Cabinet

Answer 7

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.

Question 8

Bully pulpit

Answer 8

The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.

Question 9

State of the Union

Answer 9

An annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda.

Question 10

Executive Privilege

Answer 10

The president’s ability to keep certain communications private. United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations.

Question 11

22nd Amendment

Answer 11

This provision of the Constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.

Question 12

25th Amendment

Answer 12

This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.

Question 13

Veto

Answer 13

The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress.

Question 14

Pocket Veto

Answer 14

When a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned.

Question 15

Line-Item Veto

Answer 15

The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can.

Question 16

Signing Statement

Answer 16

Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.

Question 17

Impeachment

Answer 17

The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.

Question 18

Pardon

Answer 18

Official forgiveness of a crime.

Question 19

Lame Duck

Answer 19

An official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit.

Question 20

Congressional Oversight

Answer 20

The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch.

Question 21

Bureaucracy

Answer 21

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.

Question 22

Executive Office of the President

Answer 22

The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.

Question 23

White House Staff

Answer 23

Personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.

Question 24

Executive Departments

Answer 24

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary.

Question 25

Independent Regulatory Commisions

Answer 25

Agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress or the President.

Question 26

Government Corporations

Answer 26

A government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US Postal Service.

Question 27

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 27

This part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.

Question 28

Discretionary Authority/Bureaucratic Discretion

Answer 28

The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by the laws of Congress.

Question 29

Civil Service

Answer 29

The part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit.

Question 30

Merit System

Answer 30

Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

Question 31

Pendleton Act

Answer 31

The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service.

Question 32

Iron Triangle

Answer 32

A mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Question 33

Issue Network

Answer 33

A link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue.

Question 34

Appropriation

Answer 34

A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.

Question 35

Regulation

Answer 35

The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector.