AP Gov Executive Branch

Gridlock

inability of the government to act because opposing parties control
different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action

Executive Order

directive that carries weight of law that is given by the President without the consent of Congress

Executive Agreement

pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation.
Unlike treaties, they do not require Senate consent and may only last for the duration of a
president’s term

Cabinet 

heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as presidential advisors

Bully Pulpit

president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the
American public

Executive Privilege

president’s ability to keep certain communications private.
United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations

22nd Amendment

Limits presidential term to two and sets presidential time in office to no more than 10 years 

25th Amendment

Presidential succession and disability

Line Item Veto

power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the
Supreme Court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can

Signing Statement

issued after President passes a law, reveals what the POTUS thinks of the law and how it shall be enforced

Lame Duck

official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has
reached his/her term limit.

Executive Office of the President

part of the executive branch that supports the
president in his responsibilities, from security to trade

Executive Departments 

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate within their respective areas

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Agencies not responsible for monitoring large gov’t sectors; not controlled by the President or Congress

Government Corporations

A government agency that carries out business-like functions