Interactions Among the Branches - The Executive

Foreign Policy

Formal (treaties & commander & chief) + Informal (Executive agreements) to influence relations

Chief of State (Role of Presidency)

The ceremonial head of a state, representing the nation symbolically and fulfilling various diplomatic roles in foreign affairs.

Chief of the Party (Role of Presidency)

When the President does things for a political party (Informal)

Chief Executive (Role of Presidency)

The role of the President in ensuring that laws are faithfully executed and overseeing the executive branch of government. (Formal)

Chief Citizen (Role of Presidency)

The President as a representative of the people, ensuring their interests and concerns are addressed and promoting civic responsibility.

Commander in Chief

When the President moves/mobilises troops (Formal Power)

Amnesty

An official pardon of past doings issued by the president.

Reprieve

An action that when used postpones a person sentence for various reasons(story of man that had to attend daughters wedding)

Commutation

An action that when used shortens the length of a prisoners sentence

Pardon

A legal decree that validates forgiveness for a crime, eliminating the punishment associated with it. (Formal Power)

Office of Personnel Management

An office of the government that is in part in-charge of the hiring, firing, and management of agency staff. (like a massive Human Resource department)

Executive Orders

An order that is enacted by the president that has the force of law

Executive Agreement

An international agreement that is enacted by the president that does not require a formal treaty or any dealing with the Congress

Executive Privilege

The presidential assertion of the right to withhold certain information from Congress

Senatorial Courtesy

When a senator speaks to the promise of one of their citizens in line to be in a position of power, normally a federal justice

Line Item Veto

The power of some governors to veto portions of a bill instead of having to veto the entire bill

Pocket Veto

A form of veto in which the president ails to sign a bill passed by both houses within ten days and Congress has adjourned during that time.

Electorate

Those that are entitled to vote / those that due the voting in the electoral college

Electoral College

A legal system by which state select electors who then vote for the president and vice president

Treaty

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must beratified by two-thirds of the Senate.

Veto

A formal decision by the president to reject the bill passed by Congress.

Take Care Clause

The constitutional requirement (in Article II, Section 3) that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed, even if they disagree with the purpose of those laws.

Inherent Powers

Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.

State of the Union

The president's annual statement to Congress and the nation. Enumerated Power

Impeachment

Formal accusation against a president or other public official, the first step in removal from office.

Chief of Staff

The head of the White House staff, usually a top advisor

Executive Office of the President

The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisers, and several other units.

Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

Presidential staff the agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the 15 heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.

Rally Point

A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis as Americans "rally 'round the flag" and the chief executive.

Mandate

A president's claim of broad public support.

Cycle of Decreasing Influence

The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.

Cycle of Increasing Effectiveness

The tendency of presidents to learn more about doing their jobs over time.

Constitutional Qualifications of the President

35 years old, natural born citizen, must reside in the country for 14 years

12th Amendment

Brought about by the Jefferson/Burr tie, stated that presidential and vice-presidential nominees would run on the same party ticket. Before that time, all of the candidates ran against each other, with the winner becoming president and second-place becoming vice-president.

20th Amendment

Congress begins on January 30th; President starts on January 20th "Lame-duck" Amendment

Signing Statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms or 10 years.

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)

25th Amendment

(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

1947 Presidential Succession Act

This act place the Speaker of the House in order after the Vice-President. The President Pro-Tempore would be next. Then the cabinet members in order of their departments creation.

Federalist 70

A single president can act more decisively to situations, energy in the executive is a leading character in the definition of good government

War Powers Act

1973. A resolution of Congress that stated the President can only send troops into action abroad by authorization of Congress or if America is already under attack or serious threat.

Chief Legislator

term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress

Guardian of the Economy

With the help of the Secretary of the Treasury and other advisers, tries to keep the economy running smoothly. Plans federal budget and proposes tax cuts and hikes.

Bargaining & Persuasion

Informal Power that enables the president to negotiate with Congress and influence legislation through personal relationships and communication strategies.

Ambassadors

Appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate, represent the U.S. in foreign countries and handle diplomatic relations.

State of the Union

Annual address by the president to Congress outlining the current condition of the nation and presenting legislative agenda.