exectuive branch-unit 5 civics

Cabinet

A group of high-ranking officials (e.g., secretaries) appointed by the president to lead executive departments and advise on policy.

Executive department

A federal government agency responsible for implementing laws and policies in a specific area (e.g., Defense, Education).

Pentagon

The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense, located in Arlington, Virginia.

Electorate

The body of eligible voters in an election.

Lame duck period

The time between an election loss and a successor’s inauguration, when an outgoing official’s power is diminished.

Coattail effect

The influence a popular candidate has in boosting votes for other candidates from the same party.

Presidential election

A national vote to elect the U.S. president, held every four years.

Midterm election

A congressional election held halfway through a president’s term to elect all House members and one-third of Senators.

Primary election

A state-level vote to determine a political party’s nominee for a general election.

Plank

A specific policy position or issue outlined in a political party’s platform.

Party platform

A document outlining a political party’s principles, goals, and policy positions.

War Powers Act (1973)

A law requiring the president to consult Congress before deploying troops and limiting military actions without approval.

Incumbent

A candidate currently holding office and running for re-election.

Electoral College

The system where electors from each state cast votes to elect the U.S. president, based on the popular vote in their state.

State of electors

The official group of electors in each state who cast votes for president after the general election.

Winner-take-all election

A system where the candidate who wins the most votes in a state receives all of its electoral votes (used in most states).

Swing state

A state where voter preferences are closely divided, making it unpredictable in an election.

Executive agreement

An international agreement made by the president without Senate approval, often with foreign leaders.

Treaty

A formal international agreement negotiated by the president and ratified by the Senate.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president to manage federal operations, with the force of law.

Reprieve

A temporary postponement of a criminal sentence, often granted by the president.

Pardon

The legal forgiveness of a crime and cancellation of a sentence, granted by the president or a governor.

Commutation

The reduction of a criminal sentence, often changing the severity or length of punishment.

Amnesty

A pardon granted to a group of people for political offenses, often by a government or leader.