Chapter 5

exec branch

charged w putting nations laws into effect

formal/enumerated powers

expressly granted in constitution

informal powers

not listed in constitution but necessary to carry out pres duties; implied powers

treaty

agreement w/ foreign govt. negotiated by pres, requires 2/3 vote in senate to ratify

state of the union address

annual speech from pres to congres updating that branch on the state of national affairs

veto

formal rejection by pres of a bill that has already passed both houses of congress

pocket veto

informal veto when pres chooses not to sign a bill within 10 days, during time when congress is adjourned at end of the session, preventing bill from reconsideration

presidential pardon

pres authority to release ppl convicted of a crime from legal consequences and set aside punishment for a crime

exec privilege

right claimed by pres to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of congress

exec agreement

agreement b/w pres and foreign nation, not binding on future pres like a treaty but bypasses senate ratification

signing statement

written comments issues by pres while signing bill into law, consists of political statements or reasons for signing the bill, but may also include pres interpretation of the law itself

exec order

policy directives issued by pres, bypasses congressional approval

war powers resolution

law passed over pres nixon’s veto; restricts power of pres to maintain troops in combat for more than 60 days w/o congressional approval

impeachment

process of removing pres from office, with articles of impeachment issues by a majority vote in the house, followed by trial in senate and 2/3 vote to convict and remove