U.S. Presidency: Powers, Tools, and Key Terms

Executive branch

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

Formal or enumerated powers

Powers expressively granted in the constitution

Informal powers

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

State of the Union Address

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

pocket veto

An informal Vito 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

Presidential pardon

Presidential authority to release individuals convicted of a crime from legal consequences 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 as a treaty, but does not require Senate ratification

signing statement

Written comments issued by president while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill, but that may also include a president interpretation of the law itself

executive order

Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval

War 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

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives

Bargaining and persuasion

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

Bully Pulpit

Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies

Going public

A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will intern put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president's policy goals