Unit 2 Mod 2 ID Check 1-19

Electoral College

Electoral College

Representatives of each state who cast the final ballots that actually elect a president
- the winner of each state usually receives all of that state's electoral votes
- a majority of electoral votes is required for victory
- 538 electors
- majority of 270 electoral votes required to elect president
- house breaks electoral deadlock

Presidential Succession Act

A 1947 law enacted by Congress that provides for the filling of any simultaneous vacancy of the presidency and vice presidency.
- assigns a succession order to 18 positions beyond the president

12th Amendment

created separate ballots for the President and Vice President candidates
- amendment to the constitution in 1804
- ensures that the President will be paired with their running mate after the election
- prevents ties in presidential races

20th Amendment

moved inauguration from March 5 to January 20
- ratified in 1933
- if there is no president before inauguration day, then the amendment allows the vice to act as president until a new one is elected by congress

Lame Duck Period

time in office of the outgoing president
- when a new president has been elected but before the exit of the old one
* usually reserved for unpopular presidents

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms or a total of 10 years in office

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a
state (DC still has no representation in Congress)
- gives D.C. 3 electoral votes

25th Amendment

the vice becomes president if the president dies, resigns or is removed from office through impeachment
- president can also pass temporary authority to vice

Executive Agreements

Formal international agreements entered into by the president that do not require the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.
- have the same legal force as treaties but don't need consent of the senate

Veto Power

The formal, constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed by both houses of Congress, thus preventing them from becoming law without further congressional action.
- can be overridden by a 2/3 majority vote of both houses of congress
- allows the president to "check" the legislative

Pocket Veto

If Congress adjourns during the ten days the president has to consider a bill passed by both houses of Congress, the bill is considered vetoed without the president's signature.

Signing Statements

- president can't change the wording of the bill
- used upon signing a bill...explains the presidents interpretation of the bill and how they understand to carry it out

Pardon

An executive grant providing restoration of all rights and privileges of citizenship to a specific individual charged or convicted of a crime.

State of the Union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies.

Impoundment of Funds

A presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress

Line-Item Veto

The authority of a chief executive to delete part of a bill passed by the legislature that involves taxing or spending
- Ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997 with Clinton vs. New York

Executive Privilege

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.
- concept of Separation of Powers doesn't force a president to reveal their decision making process
* Judicial Check- can be struck down by SCOTUS
- U.S. vs. Nixon

Executive Order

a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect and formal status of legislation
- carries the same effect as a law and allows the president to go around Congress
- can't address matters that are exclusive to congress( tax codes, currency, etc.)
* Judicial Check - can be struck down by SCOTUS
- Youngstown Steel + Tube Co. vs Sawyer (1952)

1973 War Powers Act

Passed by Congress in 1973; the president is limited in the deployment of troops overseas to 10,000 troops for a sixty-day period in peacetime (which can be extended for an extra thirty days to permit withdrawal) unless Congress explicitly gives its approval for a longer period or declares war
- gives congress final power to withdraw troops