The Presidency Flashcards
Pardon
A release from punishment
Executive Departments
Also means the President’s Cabinet (The president’s closest advisers and heads of executive departments that help run the government. Examples: State, Defense, Justice)
Bureaucracy
Keep the government running, various agencies and organizations that carry out the daily business of government.
Federal Deficit
Expenditures are much higher than Revenues. (The government spends more money than it takes in.)
Impoundment
Impoundment involves the refusal of a chief executive to spend funds that may have been appropriated by the legislature. Used primarily by Nixon and outlawed by Ford.
Discretionary Spending
Non-mandatory spending, programs and departments that congress spend money on as they see fit (example: defense).
This Chamber decides the winner of the Presidency if no candidate receives 270 electoral votes.
House of Representatives
Impeachment
The removal of an elected official from office by the Congress.
The “Gate Keeper” to the President
Chief of Staff
Individual Income Tax
A tax on a person’s wages/income.
Runoff Election
A candidate must receive at least 50% of the vote in order to claim victory. If no candidate receives 50% of the vote the top two candidates must compete in a runoff election.
Social Insurance Tax
Payroll taxes used to fund programs for the elderly and poor. (Medicare, Social Security, Food Stamps)
Amnesty
A blanket pardon (release of punishment) to a group of people.
Executive Order
A rule issued by the president that has the force of law, example the Emancipation Proclamation.
Budget Resolution
A budget resolution sets guidelines for how much money Congress should spend in 20 broad categories. (Examples: national defense, agriculture, health)
Budget Proposal
The budget the president sends to Congress on how he/she plans to spend and tax for the next year.
Government Shutdown
When the Congress and President cannot agree on a budget proposal and the government is not funded.
Balanced Budget
Revenues and Expenditures are about even. (The government spends and takes in about the same amount of money.)
Federal Budget
The federal budget is an estimate of the money the government will take in over the next fiscal year.
President’s Cabinet
The president’s closest advisers and heads of executive departments that help run the government. Examples: State, Defense, Justice
Progressive Tax
A tax where the burden falls more heavily on wealthy taxpayers. Example of a progressive tax are income taxes and corporate taxes.
What is the largest source of federal revenue?
Individual Income Tax
National Debt
The amount of money the U.S. Government certainly owes to creditors. It sits at about $16 trillion.
Excise Tax
Taxes levied on the sale of goods, like tobacco, and services, sometimes called “sin taxes.”
Line of Succession
The order of people/offices that follow the president and other officials if they must leave office.
Earmarks
Funds added to a budget resolution that pay for Congressional “pet” projects in individual districts.
Privatization
Move agencies out of the bureaucracy and enlist private companies to take on some responsibilities of running the federal government.
This group of people advise the president on a daily basis.
White House Staff - note the cabinet does not meet with the president on a daily basis.
Exposes government wrong doing.
Whistle-Blower
Tax Freedom Day
The day a person has made enough money to pay their taxes for the year.
After income taxes what is the largest sources of government revenue?
Corporate Taxes
Fiscal Year
The period of time an organization uses for its budgeting, record-keeping, and financial reporting. The U.S. Government’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30.
Independent Agencies
An agency that falls under the Executive Branch but the President has no direct control over. They run their own departments. Example (Post Office, NASA, EPA)
Reprieve
A postponement of punishment
Recall Election
An elected official is removed from office by voters, only happens at the state level.
Entitlements
Programs through which individuals receive benefits based on their age, income, or other special criteria. (Examples: Food stamps, Social Security, Medicare)
Who runs the federal bureaucracy?
The Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Who was the last president to pass a budget that resulted in a surplus?
Bill Clinton
The only original cabinet positions still active today.
State and Treasury
Mandatory Spending
The government has already appropriated funds for certain programs. The two main categories of mandatory spending are interest on national debt and entitlements (Social Security).
Corporate Income Tax
A tax paid by businesses on their profits each year.
Chief of Staff
The President’s closest adviser and most powerful member of his/her staff - control who gets access to the President.
Budget Surplus
The government makes more money than it spends.
Budget Cycle
The budget process that begins with the President writing a budget and ends with Congress passing a budget through both Chambers. Often the budget passed is much different than the President proposed.
Regressive Tax
A tax where the burden more heavily on poor taxpayers. Excise taxes are an example of a regressive tax, a person earning less money has more of a burden when paying phone taxes or gasoline.
