AP Government Chapter 5: The American Presidency

Executive Branch

the branch of government charged with putting the nation's laws into effect

formal (enumerated) powers

Powers expressly granted in the Constitution

Informal Powers

Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties

treaty

an agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring 2/3 vote in the Senate to ratify

State of Union address

annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs

veto

formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress

pocket veto

an informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within 10 days during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session

President Pardon

presidential authority to release individuals convicted from a crime of legal consequences and forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime

executive privilege

a right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress

executive agreement

an agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification

signing statement

written comments issued by the president while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself

executive order

policy directives issued by president that do not require Congressional approval

Wars Powers Resolution

a law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than 60 days without Congressional authorization

impeachment

the process of removing a president from office, with articles of impeachment issued by a majority vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a trial and Senate, with a two-thirds vote necessary to convict and remove

Executive Office of the President

collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president

bargaining and persuasion

informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his policy initiatives

bully pulpit

presidential appeal to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his policies

going public

a tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon the representatives and senators to present for a president's policy goals