Chapter 5: The Executive

Ambassadors

Highest-ranking officials representing a government in a foreign country.

Bully Pulpit

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

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.

Chief of Staff

The person who is named to direct the White House Office and advise the president.

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

executive agreement

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

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Ten organizations that advise the President. Includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisors, and National Security Council. Top positions must be confirmed by Senate.

Executive Orders

Regulations originating with the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy.

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.

honeymoon period

the time following an election when a president's popularity is high and congressional relations are likely to be productive

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Imperial Presidency

Term used to describe a president as an "emperor" who acts without consulting Congress or acts in secrecy to evade or deceive congress

inherent powers

Powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegated to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community

Lame duck period

The period of time in which the president's term is about to come to an end. Presidents typically have less influence during a lame-duck period.

Line - Item Veto

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

National Security Council

An agency in the Executive Office of the President that advises the president on national security

pocket veto

an indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session.

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

establishes the line of succession to the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States in the event that neither a President nor Vice President is able to "discharge the powers and duties of the office".

Recess Appointments

a presidential appointment made without senate confirmation while the senate is in recess

Signing Statements

A formal document that explains why a president is signing a particular bill into law. These statements may contain objections to the bill and promises not to implement key sections.

State of the Union Address

a speech given annually by the president to a joint session of Congress and to the nation announcing the president's agenda

Stewardship Theory

the theory that holds that Article II confers on the president the power and the duty to take whatever actions are deemed necessary in the national interest, unless prohibited by the Constitution or by law

Twelth Amendment

Election of President and Vice President

Twentieth Amendment

Constitutional amendment moving presidential inauguration from March to January

Twenty-second Amendment

Limits the president to two terms in office

Twenty-Third Amendment

amendment that gives the right of voting to citizens in Washington D.C. and that they get votes in the electoral college

Twenty-fifth Amendment

Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.

Veto

a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

War Powers Act of 1973

President can send troops immediately, but must report to Congress and power is limited to 60 days

White House Staff

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

Federalist 70

US requires a strong, energetic executive; plural executive is dangerous

Chief Legislator

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

powers of persuasion

the president can persuade congress or states to do things by threatening to not give them things

Chief Diplomat (President)

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

Judicial Powers of the President

-Appoints judges of federal courts

-Grants pardons, reprieves, and amnesty

-Enforces court decisions

Federal Agencies

organizations that deal with a specific area of intrest for the federal govt

Chief of State

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

Chief Executive

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

Chief Administrator

the president's executive role as the head of federal agencies and the person responsible for the implementation of national policy

Chief of Party

the acknowledged leader of the political party that controls the executive branch

Chief Citizen

Term for the President as the representative of the people, working for the public interest

Pardon

A declaration of forgiveness and freedom from punishment

amnesty

(n.) a general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution

patrongage

the power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges.

Presentment Clause

Bills must be presented to the executive for final processing or veto.

Tacit Consent

"An implied rather than explicitly consent, as, for example, when you consent to the laws of your state by continuing to live in it",

Appointment Power

The power of the President & Senate to appoint important government officers (federal judges, agency directors, etc.). President nominates candidate, which then must by confirmed by simple majority in the Senate (check on President's power). Subject to senatorial courtesy rule for local appointments (district judges)

incumbent

the current officeholder

Appointed to the vice presidency in 1973 due to a vacancy, he was the only one to become

president having run for neither the presidency or vice presidency in the preceding election.

Gerald Ford

Only president to resign from office

Richard Nixon