U.S. Government: Key Concepts in Presidency, Congress, and Federal Agencies

Advice and Consent

The Senate's constitutional power to approve presidential appointments and treaties.

Lame-duck presidency

The period after an election when a president remains in office but has reduced political influence.

Power of the purse

Congress's authority to tax and spend public money.

12th Amendment

Established separate Electoral College votes for president and vice president.

20th Amendment

Set new start dates for presidential and congressional terms.

22nd Amendment

Limited presidents to two elected terms.

25th Amendment

Clarified presidential succession and procedures for disability.

Adjudication

The legal process used by bureaucratic agencies to resolve disputes.

Administrative discretion

The authority agencies have to decide how laws are implemented.

Ambassadors

Official representatives of the United States to foreign countries.

AMTRAK

A government corporation providing passenger rail service.

Appointment power

The president's authority to nominate federal officials.

Article II

The constitutional article that establishes the executive branch.

Battleground states

States where neither political party has overwhelming support.

Bully pulpit

The president's ability to influence public opinion through visibility.

Bureaucracy

The system of agencies that implement and enforce laws.

Bureaucratic implementation

The process by which agencies carry out laws.

Cabinet

A group of department heads advising the president.

Cabinet department

Major executive agency responsible for a policy area.

Chief Diplomat

The president's role in directing foreign policy.

Chief Executive

The president's role in enforcing laws.

Chief Legislator

The president's role in proposing legislation.

Civil servant

A government employee hired through the merit system.

Civil service system

A system of hiring based on merit rather than patronage.

Coattail effect

When a popular candidate helps others from the same party get elected.

Commander in Chief

The president's role as head of the armed forces.

Committee hearings

Congressional meetings to investigate executive actions.

Compliance monitoring

Ensuring laws and regulations are followed.

Congressional appropriation

The allocation of funds to agencies by Congress.

Congressional authorization

Congress's approval of agency programs.

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

Provides nonpartisan budget analysis to Congress.

Congressional oversight

Congress's monitoring of executive agencies.

Congressional override

Congress overturning a presidential veto.

Constitutional powers

Broader than the expressed powers, includes implied and inherent powers as well.

Council of Economic Advisors (CEA)

Advises the president on economic policy.

Department of Defense

Executive department responsible for national defense.

Department of Education

Executive department overseeing education policy.

Department of Homeland Security

Responsible for national security and immigration.

Department of Justice

Executive department enforcing federal laws.

Department of State

Handles foreign policy and diplomacy.

Department of the Treasury

Manages federal finances.

Department of Transportation

Oversees transportation systems.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Provides services to military veterans.

Diplomatic recognition

The president's power to recognize foreign governments.

Discretionary authority

Flexibility given to agencies in implementing laws.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the president.

Electors

Individuals who cast votes in the Electoral College.

Emergency powers

Authority claimed by presidents during crises.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Regulates environmental protection.

Executive agreement

An international agreement not requiring Senate approval.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Agencies that assist the president.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president with the force of law.

Executive privilege

The president's right to withhold information.

Expressed powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Investigates federal crimes.

Federal bureaucracy

All agencies and departments of the executive branch.

Federal Elections Commission (FEC)

Regulates federal campaign finance.

Federal Register

Official publication of federal regulations.

Federalist No. 70

Essay arguing for a strong executive.

Government corporation

a government-owned organization that runs like a business to provide a public service.

Government in the Sunshine Act

Law requiring government meetings to be open.

Hatch Act

Limits political activities of federal employees.

Head of State

The president's ceremonial role.

Honeymoon period

The early phase of a presidency with high approval.

Impeachment

The process of formally charging a government official.

Imperial presidency

The idea that presidential power has grown excessively.

Independent executive agency

Agency outside cabinet departments.

Independent regulatory agency

Agency regulating specific industries.government organization that makes and enforces rules for specific areas of the economy or public life and operates independently of direct presidential control. These agencies are created by Congress to handle issues that need expertise and stability, rather than being subject to politics.

Informal presidential powers

Powers derived from persuasion and influence.

Inherent powers

Powers implied by the president's role.

Iron triangle

Relationship between agencies, Congress, and interest groups.

Issue network

Broad group influencing policy decisions. a loose, temporary group of people and organizations who come together to influence policy on a specific issue.

Kitchen cabinet

Informal group of presidential advisors.

Legislative veto

Congress’s attempt to cancel executive actions without going through the full lawmaking process.

Line-item veto

The power to veto specific parts of a bill.

Linkage institutions

Organizations connecting people to government.

Merit system

Hiring based on qualifications.

NASA

Government agency responsible for space exploration.

National Security Council (NSC)

Advises the president on security matters.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Oversees federal budgeting.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Manages federal employees.

Pardon

The president's forgiveness of a federal crime.

Patronage

giving government jobs, contracts, or favors to people because they supported you politically

Pendleton Act

Established the civil service system.

Pocket veto

Veto by inaction when Congress adjourns.

Policy agenda

Issues prioritized by the president.

Policy tsar

Advisor coordinating policy across agencies.

Political Machine

Organization controlling votes through patronage. an organized group that controls a city or region’s politics by winning elections and rewarding supporters. They usually rely on loyalty, favors, and sometimes corruption to stay in power.

Proportional system

Electoral system allocating seats proportionally.

Quasi-legislative

Agency rule-making authority. the power of administrative agencies to make rules and regulations that have the force of law.

Quasi-judicial

Agency adjudication authority. the power of an administrative agency to make decisions like a court, such as holding hearings, weighing evidence, and issuing rulings.

Red tape

Excessive bureaucratic rules that makes government action slow or inefficient

Reprieve

Temporary delay of punishment.

Rule making

Process of creating agency regulations.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Regulates the stock market.

Signing statement

Written comments issued when signing a bill.

Spoils system

when the winning political party replaces government employees with its own supporters after an election.

State of the Union Address

Annual presidential address to Congress.

Statutory powers

Powers granted by Congress.

Sunset legislation

Laws requiring periodic review of agencies.