Unit 5 Executive Branch & Bureaucracy

"Advice & Consent of Congress"

Allows the president to nominate justices, ambassadors, etc but they must be confirmed by the Senate

Bureaucracy

A system of managing government through departments run by appointed or hired officials

Chief Diplomat

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

Chief Executive

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

Chief Legislator

The role of the president in influencing the making of laws.

Chief of Party

term for the president as the leader of his or her political party

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

Presidential Qualifications

Must be a natural born US citizen, must be 35 years of age, must have been a resident of the US for 14 years

20th Amendment

Makes Jan. 20th Inauguration Day

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms or 10 years.

25th Amendment

The 25th amendment allows for the Vice President to become president in the event of death, resignation, removal from office or impairment that prevents the current president from fulfilling his or her duties.

executive agreement

An agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law, but doesn't need Congress's approval

executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

government corporation

a business owned and operated by the federal government- like the USPS or Amtrak

Chief of State

term for the President as the ceremonial head of the United States, the symbol of all the people of the nation

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

independent executive agency

A federal agency that is not part of a cabinet department but reports directly to the president, like NASA

independent regulatory commission

A government agency or commission with regulatory power whose independence is protected by Congress, like the FCC

Korematsu v. US

1944 Supreme Court case where the Supreme Court upheld the executive order providing for the relocation of Japanese Americans.

Pardon

President's power to grant legal forgiveness of a crime

Presidential Succession

the order in which officials fill the office of president in case of a vacancy

State of the Union Address

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation.

treaty

A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states, requires Senate approvalV

Veto Process

President may veto any bill by returning it to Congress with explanation. Congress can override with 2/3 vote in both houses (very hard to do)

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval.

Judicial Branch Powers

Judicial Review- the courts have the final say on the constitutionality of a law (can declare a law unconstitutional)

Congress checks President

May override vetoes with a 2/3 vote, may remove through impeachment, senate approves treaties and appointments

Informal Checks on Presidential Power

Mass media and public opinion

White House Staff

Personnel who run the White House and advise the President. Includes the Chief of Staff and Press Secretary

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.