AP GOV 2.2 VOCAB

Twentieth Amendment

Address presidential and congressional term dates and provides for presidential succession plans if a president-elect is unable to assume office.

Twenty-Second Amendment

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President or acted as President for more than two years of a term can be elected to office of the President more than once.

Presidential Succession Act

Outlines the order in which POTUS is replaced if they are unable to serve. The order is: VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, then the heads of Cabinet Departments in the order of the creation of Cabinet positions.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Clarifies that VP becomes acting President if the President is removed, dies, or resigns. To fill a VP vacancy, POTUS must nominate a VP, then confirmed by both houses of Congress. Allows for a temporary transfer of power to the VP if the President provides a written declaration of their inability to perform their duties, or if the VP and a majority of the cabinet declare the President unable to perform their duties.

State of the Union Address

Annual message delivered by POTUS to a joint session of Congress, outlining the state of the nation and POTUS’ legislative priorities. Constitutionally required by Article II, Section 3, Clause 1.

Veto

Outlined in Article I, Section 7 of the US Constitution. Allows the President to reject a bill passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate.

Pocket veto

A bill dies because the President doesn’t act on the bill within a 10-day period and Congress has already adjourned. Can’t be overridden by Congress.

Take Care Clause

Constitutional clause in Article II, Section 3 mandating that the President is responsible for ensuring that all laws passed by Congress are “faithfully executed.” It’s analogous to an “elastic clause” that ensures executive discretion on implementation.

Bully Pulpit

The President’s ability to communicate their messages and promote their agenda directly to the public.

Honeymoon Period

The initial phase of a new presidential administration characterized by high approval ratings and favorable media coverage. This enables the new President to gain traction for their policy agenda.

Coattail Effect

The phenomenon where a popular presidential candidate is able to attract votes for other candidates of the same party.

Executive Order

Directive issued by the President that has the force of law to direct federal agencies and officials.

Signing Statement

Written statement made by a President when signing a bill into law, expressing their intention not to enforce parts of legislation they consider to be unconstitutional.

Executive Agreements

An international agreement made by the U.S. President that does not require Senate approval, unlike treaties which do.

War Powers Act (1973)

An act that requires the President to report to Congress within 48 hours when introducing the armed forces into hostilities, and sets a deadline of 60 days for these forces to be withdrawn unless Congress authorizes use of force.

Authorization for Use of Military Force (2001)

Joint resolution passed in response to 9/11, authorizing the President to use armed forces against nations, organizations, or persons deemed to have authorized or abetted terrorism.

Sovereign Immunity

Protect governments and their agents from being sued without their consent for fulfilling their job responsibilities.

Executive Privilege

POTUS and some executive branch officials are permitted to keep certain confidential information private from Congress and Courts, especially for national security.

Impoundment

An unconstitutional practice where the President or other executive branch officials delay or prevent the spending of funds that Congress has already appropriated.

Line Item Veto

An unconstitutional practice where the President strikes down specific parts of a bill while signing the rest into law.

Divided Government

A situation where one party wins the Presidency and another party is in control of the House and/or Senate.

Lame Duck Period

The time between a Presidential or Congressional election and the inauguration or convening of the new term. During this period, the outgoing elected officials remain in office, though their influence is diminished as the incoming officials prepare to take office.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

A group of offices and councils that support the President with executive branch logistics, implementing POTUS’ policy agenda, and overseeing the federal bureaucracy.

White House Chief of Staff

Head of the EOP, serving as the President’s top advisor and coordinating activities of the White House Staff.

White House Press Secretary

Primary spokesperson for the White House, acting as a conduit for information between the President and the media. They provide briefings, answer questions, and manage the relationship with the press corps.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

The primary agency that assists the President in meeting policy, budget, management, and regulatory objectives.

Federal Bureaucracy

Vast network of government agencies, departments, and personnel that implement and enforce laws and policies.

Regulations

Rules and orders developed by bureaucratic agencies to implement and enforce laws.

Iron Triangle

A mutually beneficial relationship that develops between the federal bureaucracy, congressional committees, and interest groups.

Administrative Discretion

The authority delegated by Congress to agencies to make decisions when implementing regulations. This power allows bureaucracies the latitude to adapt policies to certain situations.

Patronage/Spoils System

The appointment of individuals to government positions based on political loyalty, rather than merit. It rewards supporters with jobs or favors in exchange for their loyalty and support.

Merit System

A process where government employees are hired, promoted, and retained based on their ability and performance, rather than political connections or favoritism.

Red Tape

Bureaucratic procedures and hurdles that can impede progress and efficiencies. It involves excessive rules, paperwork, and redundancies that create delays and constraints.