Presidential Powers and Structures

Ad hoc structure

A structure where several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters.

Bargaining and Persuasion

An informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support policy initiatives.

Bully pulpit

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

Cabinet

The group of presidential advisors who head the executive departments.

Circular structure

A structure where several of the president's assistants report directly to him.

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

Members who advise the president on economic policy and prepare the Annual Report of the CEA.

Crisis

A sudden, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous event.

Divided government

When one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

Electoral College

The people chosen to cast each state's votes in a presidential election, with each state casting one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has.

Enumerated powers

Powers given to the national government alone.

Executive Agreement

An agreement between a president and another nation that does not require Senate ratification.

Executive Branch

The institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by the legislative branch.

Executive Office of the President

A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president.

Executive orders

Regulations originating in the executive branch.

Executive Privilege

A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress.

Going Public

A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope of pressuring their representatives and senators to support policy goals.

Gridlock

The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.

Impeachment

The political equivalent of an indictment for removing a discredited president.

Lame duck

A person still in office after losing a bid for re-election.

Legislative veto

A clause allowing Congress to override the action of the executive.

Line-item veto

The authority, held by many governors but not by the president, to veto specific items in a bill without vetoing it in its entirety.

National Security Council (NSC)

A committee that links the president's key foreign and military advisors.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Responsible for preparing the president's budget and assessing the budgetary implications of legislative proposals.

Pocket veto

Occurs when Congress adjourns within 10 days after submitting a bill and the president takes no action to sign it or veto it.

Presidential coattails

Where voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president's party because those candidates support the president.

Presidential Pardon

The exoneration of an individual convicted of a crime, granted by the president.

Pyramid structure

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

Signing Statement

Text issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself.

State of the Union Address

The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs.

Treaty

An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.

Twenty-fifth Amendment

Passed in 1967, permits the vice president to become acting president in the event that the president is temporarily disabled.

Twenty-second Amendment

Passed in 1951, limits presidents to two terms.

Unified government

When the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress.

Veto

Sending legislation back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it.

War Powers Resolution

Passed in 1973, requires presidents to consult with Congress prior to using military force and mandates the withdrawal of forces after sixty days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension.

Watergate

A political scandal involving President Nixon's abuse of power.