Government Structures and Presidential Powers

These flashcards cover key concepts related to government structures, presidential powers, and related terminology.

Divided Government

A situation where one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

United Government

A situation where the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress.

Gridlock

A situation in which government is incapable of acting on important issues.

Pyramid Structure

A president's subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff.

Circular Structure

Cabinet secretaries and assistants report directly to the president.

Ad Hoc Structure

A method of organizing a president's staff in which task forces, committees, and informal groups of friends and advisers deal directly with the president.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.

Veto Message

A message from the president to Congress stating he will not sign a bill it has passed, which must be produced within ten days of the bill's passage.

Pocket Veto

A veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who allows it to die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Line-item Veto

An executive's ability to block or approve a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.

Legislative Veto

The ability of Congress to override a presidential decision.

Impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives.

Lame Duck

A person still in office after he or she has lost a bid for reelection.