American Government Roots And Reform Chapter 7 The Presidency

Twenty-Second Amendment

Adopted in 1951; prevents a president from serving more than two terms, or more than ten years is he came to office via death, resignation, or impeachment of his predecessor.

Impeachment

The power delegated to the House of Representatives in the constitution to charge the president, vice president, or other "civil officers", including federal judges, with "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." This is the first step in the constitutional process of removing government officials from office.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Adopted in 1951; prevents a president from serving more than two terms, or more than ten years is he came to office via death, resignation, or impeachment of his predecessor.

Impeachment

The power delegated to the House of Representatives in the constitution to charge the president, vice president, or other "civil officers", including federal judges, with "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." This is the first step in the constitutional process of removing government officials from office.

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.

U.S. v. Nixon

Supreme Court ruling on power of the president, holding that no absolute constitutional executive privilege allows a president to refuse to comply with a court order to produce information needed in a criminal trial.

Cabinet

The formal body of presidential advisers who head the fifteen executive departments. Presidents often add others to this body of formal advisers.

Executive Agreements

Formal international agreements entered into by the president that do not require the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate.

Veto

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.

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.

War Powers Resolution

Passed by congress in 1973; requires the authorization of congress to deploy troops overseas and limits the time of their deployment.

Pardon

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

Inherent Powers

powers the belong to the president because they can be inferred from the Constitution.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A mini-bureaucracy created in 1939 to help the president oversee the executive branch bureaucracy.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The office that prepares the president's annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, supplies economic forecasts, and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills and agency rules.

Executive order

rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of the law. All executive order must be published in Federal Register.

Signing Statements

occasional written comments attached to a bill signed by the president.