US Gov Vocab - Lesson 9

inherent powers

powers not described in the Constitution, but that have been claimed by presidents

executive privilege

the right of the president and other high-ranking executive officers to refuse to testify before Congress or a court

mandate

a formal order given by a higher authority; an authorization to act given to a representative

impeach

to accuse a public official of misconduct in office

executive order

a rule issued by the president that has the force of law

impound

to refuse to spend

reprieve

a presidential order that postpones legal punishment

pardon

a presidential order that releases a person from legal punishment

amnesty

a presidential order that pardons a group of people who have committed an offense against the government

civilian

one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force

national security

protection of a nation—its lands and people—from foreign threats, whether from governments, organized groups, or individual terrorists

reauthorize

the act of passing legislation into law again

military tribunal

a military court designed to try members of enemy forces during wartime, operating outside the scope of conventional criminal and civil proceedings

treaty

a formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries

executive agreement

legally-binding pact between the president and the head of a foreign government that does not require Senate approval

federal reserve system

the central banking system of the United States

council of economic advisers

presidential advisers who study the economy and advise the president on domestic and international economic policies

political patronage

appointment to political office, usually as a reward for helping get a president elected