Legislative Vocab

Gridlock

The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action

Formal Power

Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the constitution

informal power

authority given to the president that IS NOT specifically mentioned in the constitution

Executive order

A directive that carries the weight of the law that is given by the president without the consent of congress

executive agreement

a pact between the president and the head of foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a presidents term

treaty

a formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the senate

Cabinet

The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president

bully pulpit

The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public

State of the Union

an annual address given by the president to Congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda

executive privilege

the president’s ability to keep certain communications private.

22nd ammendment

This provision of the constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years

25th amendment

this provision of the constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability

veto

The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress.

pocket veto

when a bill fails to become law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned

line-item veto

the power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the supreme court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can.

signing statement

issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of new law and how it out to be enforced

impeachment

the constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.

pardon

official forgiveness of a crime

lame duck

an official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit

congressional oversight

the authority of congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions executive branch

bureaucracy

a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

executive office of the president

the part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities, from security to trade.

white house staff

personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.

executive departments

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary.

independent regulatory commissions

agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the Federal Reserve, and are not subject to control by either Congress or the president

government corporations

a government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the US postal service.

Office of management and budget

this part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year

discretionary authority/ bureaucratic discretion

the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by the laws of congress.

civil service

the part of the government that fulfills the daily functions of the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit.

merit system

procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

pendleton act

the law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of the civil service

iron triangle

a mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a Congressional commitee, an an interest group.

issue network

a link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, Congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. Who regularly debate an issue.

appropriation

a legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency

regulation

the use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector