Presidency

Question 1

Budget Reform Act of 1974

Answer 1

A congressional effort to control presidential impoundments. It requires, among other things, that the president spend all appropriated funds unless he first tells Congress which funds he wishes not to spend and Congress, within forty-five days, agrees to delete the items.

Question 2

Bully pulpit

Answer 2

a public office or position of authority (the presidency) that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

Question 3

cabinet

Answer 3

By custom, the heads of the fifteen major executive departments who meet to discuss matters with the president. These “secretaries” receive their positions by presidential nomination and confirmation by the Senate. They can be removed at the will of the president.

Question 4

direct democracy

Answer 4

A form of democracy in which the people legislate for themselves.

Question 5

divided government

Answer 5

A government in which one party controls the White House and a different party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Question 6

electoral college

Answer 6

The body that formally selects the president. Each state is allotted electoral votes equal to the number of its representatives and senators in Congress. It can decide how its electors are to be chosen and under what method they cast their votes for president. The candidate for the presidency who receives a majority of these votes wins. If no candidate obtains a majority, the House of Representatives chooses from the top three in electoral votes.

Question 7

executive agencies

Answer 7

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at the president’s discretion.

Question 8

executive agreements

Answer 8

informal agreements between the president and another foreign leader which serve similar purpose as a treaty but do not require senatorial ratification. These exist only until one or the other of the leader is in power and would have to be renewed by the new leaders if they so chose to do so.

Question 9

Executive Office of the President

Answer 9

Executive agencies that report directly to the president and whose purpose is to perform staff services for the president. Top positions are filled by presidential nomination with Senate confirmation.

Question 10

Executive privilege

Answer 10

A claim by the president entitling him to withhold information from the courts or Congress. In 1973, the Supreme Court ruled that such a claim is valid when sensitive military or diplomatic matters are involved, but it refused to recognize an “absolute unqualified” presidential privilege of immunity.

Question 11

Hatch Act

Answer 11

prohibits all federal employees in the executive branch (except Pres VP) from running for office in partisan elections, sending or forwarding a partisan political email while on duty or in a federal workplace, engaging in political activity while wearing an official uniform or while using a government vehicle, using official authority to interfere with or influence an election, soliciting or receiving political contributions, wearing or displaying partisan political buttons, T-shirts or signs.

Question 12

impeachment

Answer 12

A form of indictment voted on by the House of Representatives. It can be brought against the president, the vice president, and all “civil officers” of the federal government. To be removed from his or her position, the impeached officer must be convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Senate.

Question 13

impoundment

Answer 13

The refusal of the president to spend money appropriated by Congress. The Constitution is silent on this power, but the Budget Reform Act of 1974 limits the president’s ability to impound funds.

Question 14

independent agencies

Answer 14

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve fixed terms of office and can be removed only for cause.

Question 15

lame duck

Answer 15

A politician whose power has been diminished because he or she is about to leave office as a result of electoral defeat or term limits.

Question 16

legislative veto

Answer 16

A method by which Congress in a law allows either one or both houses to block a proposed executive action. It is frequently used for presidential reorganization plans of the executive branch. These vetoes were declared unconstitutional in 1981.

Question 17

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 17

Created as the Bureau of the Budget in 1921, the OMB was reorganized in 1970. It assembles and analyzes the national budget submitted to Congress by the president. Additional duties include studying the organization and operation of the executive branch, devising plans for reorganizing departments and agencies, developing ways of getting better information about government programs, and reviewing proposals that cabinet departments want included in the president’s legislative program.

Question 18

perks

Answer 18

A short form of the term “perquisites,” meaning the fringe benefits of office.

Question 19

pocket veto

Answer 19

One of two ways for a president to disapprove a bill sent to him by Congress. If the president does not sign the bill within ten days of receiving it, and Congress has adjourned within that time, the bill does not become law.

Question 20

presidential coattails

Answer 20

The charismatic power of a president which enables congressional candidates of the same party to ride into office on the strength of his popularity. This influence has declined in recent elections.

Question 21

unified government

Answer 21

A government in which the same party controls the presidency and both houses of Congress.

Question 22

veto

Answer 22

a formal act by the president rejecting a bill that has been sent to him from Congress to become a law. Vetoes can be overridden by a 2/3 vote of BOTH houses of Congress.