Government Chapter 11 Flashcards

Covert Operations

Activities unknown to the public and, to a large extent, even to Congress.

Executive Agreement

Power whereby the president can have a written understanding with another head of state to carry out a particular action.

Veto

Refuse to sign a bill into law.

Pocket Veto

If the president leaves a law unsigned for ten days during a congressional adjournment, that bill is automatically vetoed and cannot be overridden.

Line Item Veto

Allows the president to veto part of a bill without vetoing the entire bill, so that he could more easily cut pork from legislation.

State of the Union (SOTU) Address

Used annually to establish a legislative agenda, rally his party members, reach out to his opponents, and influence public opinion.

Tenure

Term of office.

Twenty Second Amendment

Restricted the president to two terms.

Lame Duck

A president who has lost the election or cannot stand for reelection and yet must serve out the rest of his term.

Impeachment

Bringing charges against the president or other major federal officials.

Can be conducted only by a majority vote in the House of Representatives. Conviction requires 2/3 vote of Senate.

Executive Orders

Presidential directives having the force of law.

Twenty Fifth Amendment

Amendment whereby any vice presidential vacancy is to be filled through a nomination by the president and confirmation by a majority vote in both houses of Congress.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Made up of White House offices and agencies that help develop and implement the president's programs and policies.

White House Office

Top aides to the executive including press secretary, counsel, and physician.

National Security Council (NSC)

Plays an important role in intelligence gathering, policy formulation, and crisis management.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Prepares the nation's annual budget for Congress and coordinates policy among departments.

Cabinet

Offices of the executive branch that were developed to assist the president in his constitutional duties and to meet the demands of America's growth.

Cabinet Secretaries

Individuals responsible to the president for the departments that they head.