The Executive Branch Vocabulary Flashcards
bully pulpit
the president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public
cabinet
the heads of the fifteen executive branch departments of the federal government
chief executive
“faithful execution” of the laws of the nation with help of cabinet, executive office, and White House Staff
divided government
one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress
Electoral College
the people chosen to cast each state’s votes in a presidential election
Executive office of the President
NSC, CEA, OMB, Office of Drug Control Policy
executive order
a presidential policy directive that implements or interprets a federal statue, a constitutional provision, or a treaty
executive privilege
the principle that members of the executive branch of government cannot legally be forced to disclose their confidential communications when such disclosure would adversely affect the operations or procedures of the executive branch
gridlock
the inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government
impeachment
charges against the President approved by a majority of the House of Representatives
Lame duck
a person still in office after having lost a bid of re-election
legislative veto
the authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place (unconstitutional–INS v Chadha, 1983)
line item veto
the authority, held by many governors, but not the President, to veto specific items in a bill without vetoing it in its entirety. Or, an executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature
Pocket Veto
a bill fails to become a law because the president did not sign it within the ten days before Congress adjourns
powers of the president
- grant pardons 2. make treaties 3. sign and veto legislation 4. appoint ambassadors, justices, and other officials 5. commander-in-chief of armed forces
trial balloons
information leaked to the media to test reaction to a possible policy
25ht Ammendment
defines presidential disability and succession
unified government
the same party controls both Congress and the White House
veto (message)
a message from the President to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill Congress has passed. Must be produced within 10 days of the bill’s passage
War Powers Resolution
requires the President to report to Congress any introduction of U.S. Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities. Then it requires that the use of forces must be terminated within 60 to 90 days unless Congress authorizes such use or extends the time period.
White House Staff
advises President on a daily basis, led by WH Chief of Staff. Reporting structure can be organized in a pyramid, circular, and/or ad hoc system
appropriation
a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency
authorization legislation
legislative permission to begin or continue a government program or agency
bereaucracies
large administrative agencies with hierarchical authority and job specialization
cabinet-level departments
15, with appointed heads
captured agency
a government agency, especially a regulatory agency, that is largely under the influence of the economic interest group(s) most directly and massively affected by its decisions and policies from the industry or economic sector being regulated
committee clearance
the ability of a congressional committee to review and approve certain agency decisions in advance and without passing a law
competitive service
government offices to which people are appointed on the basis of merit, as ascertained by a written exam or by applying certain selection criteria
discretionary authority
the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws
government corporation
ad hoc, created to deal with problems in a specific industry or region (ex. TVA, RTC)
Independent executive agency
independent agency of the United States government that exists outside of the departments of the executive branch. Established through separate statutes passed by the U.S. Congress, each respective statutory grant of authority defines the goals the agency must work towards, as well as what substantive areas, if any, it may have power of rule making over
independent regulatory agencies
independent agencies whose regulatory powers are both quasi legislative and quasi judicial
