GoPo Chapter 5 Key Concepts

Policy Agenda

A set of issues that are important to the president and others within the policymaking making process.

Formal Powers

Authority that is defined by the constitution, for the executive branch it is defined in Article II.

Informal Powers

Political powers that are interpreted to be inherent in the office, to achieve policy goals.

Veto

The president’s chance to reject the bill after being passed in Congress. This returns the bill, with rejections, back to legislators.

Pocket Veto

If the president does not sign a bill within the final 10 days of a congressional session and does nothing.

Line-item Veto

A measure that empowers an executive to eliminate certain spending from an appropriations bill or budgeting measure.

Bargaining & Persuassion

A tool used by POTUS to persuade or “woo” members of Congress and/or constituents to support his policy agenda.

Commander in Chief

The president has high-ranking authority in military actions, yet they cannot declare war as that is decided by Congress.

Executive Agreement

A simple contract between two heads of state. Only binding by mutual willingness to keep the promise.

Executive Order

Empowers POTUS to carry out the law or to administer the government. This directive must fall within the executive branch.

Signing Statements

The president’s statement explaining their interpretation of a bill, their understanding of what is expected of them to carry it out, or a commentary of the law.

Executive Privileges

The right to withhold information or their decision-making process from another branch, especially Congress. They highlight their point to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information.

Ambassador

A chosen top diplomat to promote foreign policy around the world on the United States behalf.

Joint Chiefs of Staff

A council of the top uniformed officials from each division of the military. They advise the president on military strategy.

Chief of Staff

Oversees the employees of the White House and is responsible for its smooth operation. Sometimes referred to as the president’s “gatekeeper.”

Inherent Powers

Powers that may not be explicitly listed but are nonetheless claimed to be within the jurisdiction of the executive.

Cabinet

Group of secretaries that advise the president and run large governmental departments that take care of national concerns.

Federalist No. 70

Alexander Hamilton advocated for a single executive, believing a strong leader was crucial for the new U.S. government to act decisively.

Imperial Presidency

A U.S. presidency that is characterized by using greater powers than the Constitution allows.

Stewardship Theory

The presumption by some that presidential powers are only strictly limited by the actual limits listed in the Constitution.  

22nd Amendment

Prevented a president from serving more than 10 years or 2 terms.

War Powers Act

To fix the decisive Vietnam War, Congress declared that the president could order troops into combat 48 hours before notifying Congress, but they could strike it down within 60 days. (90 days with extension)

Bully Pulpit

A prominent stage from where a president could pitch ides to the American people.

State of the Union Address

The president’s speech, that occurs from time to time, on how economics, the military, and social states of the union are going. — An annual report in which the president gives an account to Congress on the condition of the country and his recommend policies.

20th Amendment

Changed the inauguration date from March 4 to January 20; thus, creating a lame duck period from November to January.

25th Amendment

States that in case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.