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.)