AP US GoPo Unit 2 - executive branch vocab

from A&W 5 and some Princeton Review

Ambassadors

Officials who represent their country in foreign nations, responsible for diplomatic relations and negotiations.

Bargaining and persuasion

Techniques used by the president to influence members of Congress and secure support for policies or legislation.

Bully Pulpit

Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his policies. This platform allows the president to advocate for their agenda and mobilize public opinion.

Cabinet

A group of senior officials appointed by the president, typically heads of executive departments, who advise the president on policy and decision-making.

Chief of Staff

The head of the White House staff, responsible for managing the president's schedule, communications, and overall operations of the executive office.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as the supreme leader of the armed forces, responsible for military decisions and the defense of the nation. This position grants the president authority over military operations and strategy.

Delegate

A representative who acts on behalf of others, often in a legislative context, making decisions based on the preferences or instructions of their constituents.

Divided Government

A political situation in which different political parties control different branches of government, often leading to gridlock in decision-making.

Electoral College

A group of representatives from each state responsible for formally electing the president and vice president of the United States, based on the popular vote in each state.

Executive Agreement

A formal agreement between the president and the leaders of other nations, used for conducting foreign policy. Does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification.

Executive Office of the President

The collection of agencies and staff that assist the President in managing the executive branch and implementing policies.

Executive Order

policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.

Executive Privilege

a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress

going public

a tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president’s policy goals.

gridlock

A political stalemate where little or no legislative progress is made due to partisan conflict.

Honeymoon Period

the initial phase of a president's term, characterized by high public approval and legislative cooperation, allowing the president to pursue their agenda.

Impeachment

The process of formally charging a government official with misconduct, leading to a Senate trial.

Imperial Presidecy

a significant expansion of presidential power, particularly in the realms of foreign policy and national security.

Impoundment

the presidential practice of withholding or delaying the expenditure of funds that have been appropriated by Congress.

In-and-Outers

People who alternate between jobs in the federal government and employment in the private sector.

Independent Agencies

governmental organizations that operate outside the direct control of the executive branch, designed to enforce laws and regulations in specific areas.

Informal Powers

powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.

Lame Duck Period

The time between an election and when newly elected officials take office, during which outgoing officials may have reduced influence.

Legislative Veto

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it.

Line-Item Veto

a special type of veto power that allows an executive to reject specific provisions or items within a bill

National Security Council

a U.S. government body responsible for advising the president on national security and foreign policy matters.

Office of Management and Budget

A White House office that prepares the federal budget and oversees executive agency performance.

Pocket Veto

a special type of veto exercised by the President of the United States, occurring when the President takes no action on a bill for ten days while Congress is adjourned. This action effectively kills the bill without formally vetoing it, as Congress cannot override a veto when not in session.

Presidential pardon

presidential authority to release individuals convicted from a crime of legal consequences and forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime.

Presidential Succession Act (1947)

states that after the Vice President, the order of succession is: 1. Speaker of the House; 2. President Pro Tempore of the Senate; 3. Secretaries of State; Treasury; Defense; etc..

Recess Appointment

Article II, Section 2, Clause 3, provides, “The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.”

Representative Democracy

a system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

Signing Statement

written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president’s interpretation of the law itself.

State of the Union

the annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs.

Stewardship Theory

based off of the idea that the president can do anything the Constitution doesn’t forbid, “steward of the nation” acting in public interest and protecting the public good

Treaty

formal agreements between two or more sovereign states that are legally binding under international law.

Trustee

A member of Congress that uses their judgement to vote in the interest of the nation

Twelfth Amendment

ratified in 1804, established the procedure for electing the President and Vice President, the electoral college.

Twentieth Amendment

ratified in 1933, it defines the procedures for the terms of the President and Vice President, outlining the start date of their terms and procedures for succession.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

ratified in 1967, it establishes the procedures for presidential succession and disability, including the process for the Vice President to assume the presidency in the event of the President's inability to perform their duties.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Passed in 1951, establishes a two-term limit for the President, meaning no person can be elected President more than twice

Twenty-Third Amendment

Ratified in 1961, it grants residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections by allocating them electors in the Electoral College, as if it were a state.

Unified Government

When the presidency and both houses of Congress are controlled by the same party.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Veto Message

a written statement sent by the President to Congress explaining why they are rejecting a bill, essentially outlining their objections to the legislation when they choose to veto it; it is a formal communication detailing the reasons behind the veto decision.

War Powers Act (1973)

Legislation that restricts the president's ability to engage U.S. forces in hostilities without congressional approval, requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces, and limiting military engagement to 60 days without congressional authorization.

White House Staff

The group of individuals who work directly for the President of the United States, assisting in managing the operations of the White House and advising the president on various issues.