AP GOV Unit 4

Constitutional Authority

Powers granted to the president directly by the Constitution.

Statutory Authority (Presidential)

Powers granted to the president by laws passed by Congress.

Vesting Clause

Establishes the president as head of government and head of state.

Recess Appointment

Presidential appointment made without Senate approval during a Senate recess.

Executive Agreements

International agreements made by the president without Senate approval.

Executive Order

A directive issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The president's power to withhold information from Congress or the courts.

Fast-Track Authority

Authority allowing the president to negotiate trade agreements without amendments from Congress.

State of the Union

Annual speech by the president to Congress outlining policy priorities.

Presidential Approval / Approval Rating

A measure of public support for the president.

Bully Pulpit / Go Public

The president’s ability to speak directly to the public to influence policy.

White House Staff

The president’s closest advisors who do not require Senate confirmation.

Circular Structure

A system where advisors report directly to the president, leading to more information but potential confusion.

Pyramidal Structure

A hierarchical system where only top officials report directly to the president.

Ad Hoc Structure

A flexible system where task forces, committees, and informal groups advise the president.

Cabinet

The heads of the executive departments who advise the president.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Offices and agencies that support the president's policy agenda.

Budget Process (OMB, CBO, Line-Item Veto?)

The process of creating the federal budget, involving the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

Unified Government

When the presidency and Congress are controlled by the same party.

Divided Government

When the presidency is controlled by one party and Congress by another.

Gridlock

The inability to pass laws due to political stalemate.

Electoral College

The body that elects the president based on state-by-state voting.

Impeachment

The process by which a president is charged with misconduct and possibly removed from office.

Lame Duck

A president or official in the final period of their term after a successor has been elected.

Veto

The president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

Legislative Veto

Congress’s ability to override executive actions (ruled unconstitutional in INS v. Chadha).

Line-Item Veto

The power to reject specific parts of a bill (ruled unconstitutional).

Pocket Veto

When the president takes no action on a bill, and Congress adjourns, killing the bill.

Unilateral Action (Presidential)

Presidential decisions made without congressional approval.

Unitary Executive Theory

The idea that the president has total control over the executive branch.

Signing Statement

A statement issued by the president explaining how they interpret a law.

Appropriation

Congress’s formal approval of government spending.

Authorization Legislation

Laws that create or extend government programs and determine funding levels.

Bureaucracy

The system of agencies and departments that implement government policies.

Civil Servants

Government employees hired based on merit.

Committee Clearance

Informal agreement allowing congressional committees to oversee bureaucratic decisions.

Competitive Service

Hiring for government positions based on merit exams.

Oversight: Police Patrol vs. Fire Alarm

Police Patrol: Congress actively monitors the bureaucracy; Fire Alarm: Congress intervenes only when a problem arises.

Discretionary Authority

Bureaucrats' power to decide how laws are implemented.

Iron Triangle

A policy-making relationship between a bureaucratic agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

Issue Network

A more fluid and informal version of the iron triangle involving multiple actors.

Name-Request Job

A government job given to someone specifically named in advance.

Red Tape

Complex rules and regulations that slow bureaucratic action.

Regulatory Capture

When regulatory agencies are influenced by the industries they are supposed to regulate.

Budget / Budget Making

The process of determining government revenue and expenditures.

Budget Deficit

When government spending exceeds revenue in a given year.

Budget Resolution

A congressional agreement setting budget limits for spending and revenue.

Deficit

The yearly shortfall between government revenue and spending.

Discretionary Spending

Government spending that must be approved annually (e.g., defense, education).

Economic Planning

Government efforts to manage the economy through regulations and policies.

Entitlements

Programs providing benefits to individuals meeting specific criteria (e.g., Social Security).

Fiscal Policy

Government decisions on taxes and spending to influence the economy.

Fiscal Year

The 12-month accounting period for the government, starting on October 1.

Globalization

The growing economic interdependence of countries worldwide.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

The total value of goods and services produced in a country annually.

Keynesian Economics

The belief that government spending can help regulate the economy.

Mandatory Spending

Spending required by law, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Means Test

A requirement that determines eligibility for government assistance programs.

Monetarism

The belief that controlling the money supply is key to economic stability.

Monetary Policy

The Federal Reserve’s control of the money supply and interest rates.

National Debt

The total amount of money the government owes.

Progressive Tax

A tax system where higher incomes are taxed at higher rates.

Regressive Tax

A tax system where lower incomes pay a higher percentage of their income.

Sequester

Cut everything

Supply-Side Theory

The idea that lowering taxes and regulations boosts economic growth.