ap gov unit 2: executive branch

lame duck

an outgoing politician or group of politicians who continue to serve until the assumption of their elected successors

cabinet

an advisory body to the president made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments and the VP

executive office of president

comprises the offices and agencies that support the work and agenda of the president, consisting of white house office, national security council, and office of management and budget

veto

formal power of president to check congress but vetos can be overridden with a 2/3 vote of both houses of congress

pocket veto

formal power of the president to check congress. presidential veto in which a bill fails to become law because the president does not sign it within 10 days and Congress adjourns during that period, preventing the bill’s return for possible override.

line item veto

the (unconstitutional) authority of president to reject or veto particular provisions of a bill passed by congress

commander in chief

formal foreign policy power of the president. president's military authority

executive agreement

informal foreign policy power of the president. international agreement without Senate approval.

treaty

formal foreign policy power of the president. formal agreement with another country (requires Senate approval).

bargaining & persuasion

informal power of the president to secure congressional action. influence Congress and other political actors by negotiating, trading favors, and using persuasion to achieve policy goals.

executive order

informal power allowing president to manage the federal government and are implied by the president's vested executive power or by power delegated by congress

signing statement

informal power of president to inform congress and the public of the president's interpretation of laws passed by congress and signed by the president

senate confirmation

key check on presidential appointments, which can cause conflict over nominees such as cabinet members, ambassadors, and judges — with the president's longest-lasting influence coming from life-tenured judicial appointments.

congressional agenda

formal list of policies congress is considering at any given time policy conflicts with the congressional agenda can lead the president to use executive orders and directives to the bureaucracy to address president's own agenda items

federalist 70

offers jurisdiction for a single executive by arguing a strong executive is essential to the protection of the country against foreign attacks, to the steady administration of laws, to the protection of property, and to the security of liberty

22nd amendment

established presidential term limits and demonstrates concern about the expansion of presidential power

state of the union

formal power of the President that is a nationally broadcast message for agenda setting that uses the media to influence public views about which policies are the most important

bully pulpit

informal power of the President for agenda setting that uses the media to influence public views about which policies are the most important

agenda setting

the President uses their formal and informal powers to influence public policy and public opinion in pursuit of their presidential agenda

federal bureaucracy

the departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out the laws of the nation

regulation

a set of requirements issued by a federal bureaucratic agency to implement congressional laws

executive department

often called the cabinet departments, they are the traditional units of federal administration

executive agency

independent agency that deals with certain specific areas within the government

independent regulatory agency

an agency outside the major executive departments charged with making and implementing rules and regulations.

government corporation

an agency established to provide a market-oriented public service, owned by the federal government and operated as a private business

issue network

temporary coalitions that form to promote a common issue or agenda

iron triangle

alliances of congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that are prominent in specific policy areas

merit system

prioritizes hiring and promotion based on professionalism, specialization, and neutrality

patronage

bureaucratic jobs are politically appointed

discretionary power

delegated by congress to bureaucratic agencies to interpret and implement policies

rule-making authority

federal bureaucratic agencies utilize their discretion to create and enforce regulations

department of homeland security

the executive department responsible for public security, including anti-terrorism, border security, etc.

department of transportation

the executive department responsible for managing and administering public transportation and infrastructure projects

department of veteran affairs

executive department responsible for providing and managing healthcare and financial benefits for military veterans

department of education

the executive department responsible for govt education programs, educational financial aid, and equity access policies in public education

environmental protection agency

the executive agency responsible for environmental-related programs and policies to protect human health and safeguard natural environments

federal elections commision

the regulatory commission responsible for enforcement of campaign finance laws in federal elections

securities and exchange commission

the regulatory commission for enforcement of laws to protect financial markets, investors, and capital formation

power of purse

the ability of Congress to check the bureaucracy by appropriating or withholding funds

compliance monitoring

ensures that funds are being used properly and regulations are being followed