Executive Branche Vocab Flashcards
Formal Power
Power based on a person’s position/role
Ex: the president has veto power
Informal Power
Power that isn’t tied to a position
Ex: Issuing executive orders (president)
Executive Order
A presidential order to the executive branch that manages government operations and enforces a law without approval from Congress.
Ex: demand budget cuts from state government when the state legislature is not meeting
Executive Agreement
An international agreement between the president and another country (does not require consent from the Senate)
Ex: president can sign nuclear arms term with another country without congressional approval
Cabinet
A group of presidential advisers (including head of executive departments, attorney general, and members appointed by the president)
Ex: Secretaries of Commerce: promotion of national and foreign commerce, national economic growth, creating jobs, better living conditions, technological competition, and sustainable development)
Bully Pulpit
A position/ability the President has to address and promote a message.
State of the Union Address
The president’s annual message to a joint session of Congress where he addresses current situations, policy priorities, and proposes legislative measures.
Serves to communicate with the people and discuss administration agenda.
Executive Privilege
The ability to withhold information from the people and other branches of government
Ex: During the Watergate Scandal, Nixon withheld tapes and documents regarding conversations in the Oval Office from being subpoenaed by the prosecutor investigating the break-in at the Democratic National Committee HQ.
22nd Amendment
It prevents a president from running twice
25th Amendment
If the president were to be removed from office, death, or resignation, the vice president will become president
Veto
Stop a vote from becoming a law
Pocket Veto
When a president doesn’t sign or veto a bill passed by Congress during the last 10 days (indirect veto)
Line-Item Veto
When the president, or an executive power, can reject specific items from a spending bill without altogether vetoing it
Signing Statement
When the president writes a declaration when signing a bill into law. In the statement, they write their interpretation of the law, raise concerns about specific aspects, and outline how they will enforce it.
Impeachment
When the president is removed from office
Pardon
Granting forgiveness or release from punishment/consequence
Lame Duck
A political official whose term is about to end and will not seek re-election or has been defeated in an election
Executive Bureaucracy
Government agencies that do the work of enforcing laws and running programs under the President or governor
Ex: The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) operates under the executive branch and is responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental laws/regulations
Executive Office of the President
Compromised offices and agencies that aim to support the work of the president. They are responsible for communicating the president’s message to the public and promoting trade interests abroad.
White House Staff
Group of people who work directly for the president
Ex: Press secretary - communicates the president’s messages to the media and public
Executive Departments
Departments of the government that specialize in areas like defense, justice, or health.
Ex: The Department of Agriculture is responsible for policies and programs related to farming, food, and rural development.
Independent Regulatory Commissions
Congress-created agencies, independent of executive departments, are meant to impose and enforce regulations without political influence.
Ex: Federal Reserve Board - they oversee monetary policy
Government Corporations
Operates like a business entity; they provide specific services or commercial activities
Ex: United States Postal Service (USPS)
Office of Management and Budget
Assists the president with how federal funds are spent in the yearly budget, oversees the performance of government agencies
Discretionary Authority / Bureaucratic Discretion
Grants power to take action/make the decision they think is right when implementing laws
Civil Service
Body of government officials that are hired on qualification rather than political affiliation. They implement and administer government policies and programs
Merit System
Hiring and promoting government officials based on skills/qualification
Pendleton Act
Established a merit system for hiring and promoting employees to ensure that decisions are based on qualification rather than connections
Issue Network
An alliance of interest groups/people that work together to influence a policy or address a problem
Regulation and Deregulation
Regulation: Creation and enforcement of rules by the government to control or guide activities within an industry or sector
Deregulation: reducing or removing government regulations in a specific industry.
