The Presidency Vocabulary

Flashcards about the US Presidency

Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out laws

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law

Chief Executive

The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements

Chief Citizen

Term for the President as the representative of the people, working for the public interest

Chief Legislator

The role of the president in influencing the making of laws

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service

Appointment Power

The power of the President to appoint and nominate important government officers (federal judges, agency directors, etc.)

Imperial Presidency

President is seen as "emperor" by taking strong actions without consulting Congress or seeking its approval

"First 100 Days"

An informal marker for measuring how a new Presidency (and their administration) is doing

Pardon Power

Power of the president to forgive a federal offense without penalty or grant release from a penalty already imposed

State of the Union Address

A yearly report, often delivered as a speech, by the president to Congress describing the nation's condition and recommending programs and policies

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Pocket Veto

President's power to kill a bill, if Congress is not in session, by not signing it for 10 days

Cabinet

Group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

Take Care Clause

The constitutional basis for inherent powers, which states that the president "shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed."

Statutory powers

Power explicitly granted to the president by an act of congress

Emergency powers

Broad powers exercised by the president during times of national crisis

Executive privilege

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security

22nd Amendment

A constitutional amendment that limits the president to two terms or 10 years

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."