The Presidency

Question 1

ad hoc structure

Answer 1

A method in which the president organizes the White House staff by employing task forces, committees, and informal groups of friends. Everyone reports directly to the president.

Question 2

Budget Reform Act of 1974

Answer 2

An Act-by Congress to control presidential impoundments- which requires the president to spend all appropriated funds, and must consult Congress to not spend all funds.

Question 3

cabinet

Answer 3

The heads of the fourteen major executive departments who meet to discuss matters with the president.

Question 4

circular structure

Answer 4

A way the president organizes the White House staff so that they report directly to the president.

Question 5

delegate representation

Answer 5

The representative is expected to act in accord with the preferences of their constituents.

Question 6

direct democracy

Answer 6

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

Question 7

divided government

Answer 7

A government in which one party controls the presidency and a different party controls Congress.

Question 8

Electoral College

Answer 8

The body that formally selects the president, giving each state electoral votes equal to the number of its representatives and senators in Congress.

Question 9

executive agencies

Answer 9

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of the cabinet departments.

Question 10

Executive Office of the President

Answer 10

Executive agencies whose purpose is to perform staff services for the president and report to him directly.

Question 11

executive privilege

Answer 11

A claim by the president that consultations with advisers are confidential and need not be disclosed to the courts or Congress.

Question 12

impeachment

Answer 12

A formal charging of a public official with misconduct in office, requiring a two-thirds Senate conviction.

Question 13

implied powers

Answer 13

Powers not specified in the Constitution which the president claims: asserted by virtue of office.

Question 14

Impoundment

Answer 14

The refusal of the president to spend money appropriated by Congress.

Question 15

lame duck

Answer 15

A politician whose power has been diminished because he or she is about to leave office due to defeat or embarrassment.

Question 16

legislative veto

Answer 16

A method where one or both houses may block a proposed executive action: declared unconstitutional in 1981.

Question 17

line-item veto

Answer 17

This allows the president to approve some provisions of a bill and disapprove others. Declared unconstitutional.

Question 18

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Answer 18

A federal agency which assembles and analyzes the national budget submitted to Congress by the president.

Question 19

perks

Answer 19

The fringe benefits of office.

Question 20

pocket veto

Answer 20

A way for a president to disapprove a bill passed by Congress, if the president does not sign the bill within ten days of receiving it, and Congress has adjourned within that time.

Question 21

presidential coattails

Answer 21

Allows Congress candidates to ride into office via a president’s popularity.

Question 22

prime minister

Answer 22

The head of government in a parliamentary system. Chosen by the legislature.

Question 23

pyramid structure

Answer 23

A method in which the president organizes the White House staff so that assistants report through a hierarchy to a chief of staff.

Question 24

representative democracy

Answer 24

A form of government in which the people elect representatives.

Question 25

rescissions

Answer 25

Presidential recommendations to cut parts of appropriations bills.

Question 26

trustee representation

Answer 26

A representative acts on his or her judgment, and then explains those judgments to the people.

Question 27

Twenty-fifth Amendment

Answer 27

An amendment ratified in 1967 which provides that the vice president is to serve as acting president whenever the president is unable to serve, for various reasons.

Question 28

Twenty-second Amendment

Answer 28

An amendment ratified in 1951 which limits presidents to two terms of office.

Question 29

unified government

Answer 29

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

Question 30

veto message

Answer 30

A statement the president sends to Congress accompanying a refusal to sign a bill passed by both houses.

Question 31

White House Office

Answer 31

Personal assistants to the president with offices in the White House.