Section Two - Executive Branch

Question 1

commander-in-chief

Answer 1

Constitutional power giving the president authority over all parts of the U.S.
military, including promoting and dismissing military commanders and officers.

Question 2

Chief executive

Answer 2

The president’s power to enforce all laws thus overseeing all government workers that
help him enforce laws. The president can require ‘reports’ from any government worker on how they
are enforcing the laws

Question 3

Monroe Doctrine

Answer 3

A principle of U.S. policy, first articulated by President James Monroe, declaring that
interventions by European powers in the affairs of the nations of the Western Hemisphere would be
considered as intolerable acts of aggression by the United States.

Question 4

executive memorandum

Answer 4

: A presidential tool similar to an executive order, used to manage the
operations of the various departments and agencies of the federal government.

Question 5

executive orders

Answer 5

A written directions to a government agency issued by a president in the absence of
congressional action to pursue a particular course of action. Generally, such an order changes an
existing law and can be subject to challenge through the courts

Question 6

executive agreements

Answer 6

Formal agreements between the President and other Countries that do not need
to be confirmed by the US Senate. In the United States, a president can make such an agreement
without ratification by the Senate as a foreign treaty would need to be.

Question 7

recess appointment

Answer 7

An appointment of a federal official by the president at a time when the Senate is
not in session and is therefore unable to confirm appointments

Question 8

veto

Answer 8

The power of a president to reject a law passed by Congress. Veto is a Latin term meaning
“I forbid.”

Question 9

line-item veto

Answer 9

The ability of an executive to reject specific portions of a piece of legislation rather than
reject the entire bill. In the United States, most governors have this power, but the power of line-item
vetoes for the president has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

Question 10

administrative agencies

Answer 10

Government organizations created by Congress to enforce laws, policies, and
government programs. Administrative agencies are organized under the president in the executive
branch and collectively employ millions of federal workers