executive buzzwords

formal (enumerated) powers

powers of the president specifically stated in the constitution

informal (inherent) powers

powers not explicit in the constitution but needed to carry out the enumerated powers (stated powers) in the constitution

veto

a power of the president to stop a bill from becoming law

pocket veto

a way to kill a bill; if the bill arrives on the president’s desk and congress adjourns within ten days after it comes to him/her and the president does not sign the bill, the bill dies

commander in chief

this means the president is in charge of the military

executive agreement

a pact (agreement) between the president and another country without need for congressional approval

executive order

presidential directives that modify laws or create laws and public policies without approval of congress

signing statements

a statement made by the president when he/she signs a bill into law explaining how he/she feels about the law

appointments

the process by which the president chooses individuals to fill certain cabinet, federal judiciary, ambassador, white house staff, or other administrative positions usually subject to senate confirmation (approval)

twenty-second amendment

the amendment to the constitution limiting the office of president to two terms of four years or a maximum of 10 years

state of the union

a speech the president is required to give (by the constitution) at the beginning of the year explaining the current state of the country and outlining his/her plan for the upcoming year(s)

bully pulpit

the term used to describe the immense audience and influence that the president of the United States has when he or she communicates to the world

executive privilege

claimed by the president to withhold information because it is in the public’s interest to not know

line-item veto

an unconstitutional process for the president to eliminate only parts of bills he/she did not want, it does not happen in the federal government but many states allow governors to have a line item veto

pardon

a president can wipe away a conviction of someone sentenced for a federal crime