Presidential Test Vocab

Twelfth Amendment

amendment that specifies the separate election of the president and vice president by the electoral college

head of state

the ceremonial role of the president

chief executive

the role of the president as head of the executive branch

signing statement

a written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law

civil service

the body of employees working for the government

appointment power

the authority vested in the president to fill a government office or position

reprieve

a formal postponement of the execution of a sentence imposed by the court of law

pardon

a release from the punishment for a crime

commutation

reducing a criminal sentence in length to a specified number of years or the time already served

commander in chief

the role of the president over the military and state National Guard

War Powers Resolution

a law passed in 1973 spelling out the conditions under which the president can commit troops without congressional approval

advice and consent

terms in the Constitution describing the Senate’s power to review and approve treaties and presidential appointments

chief diplomat

the role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements

diplomatic recognition

the formal acknowledgement of a foreign government as legitimate

executive agreement

an international agreement made by the president, without senatorial ratification, with the head of a foreign state

chief legislator

the role of the president in influencing the making of laws

State of the Union message

an annual message to Congress in which the president proposes a legislative program and addresses the American people

veto message

the president’s formal explanation of a veto when legislation is returned to Congress

pocket veto

a special veto after Congress has adjourned, leading to the bills dying after a specified period unsigned

line-item veto

the power of the president to veto individual lines or items within a bill without vetoing the whole thing, has been overturned

constitutional powers

powers vested in the president by Article 2 of the Constitution

statutory powers

powers created for the president that are expressly written into the Constitution or into statutory law

expressed powers

powers of the president that are expressly written into the Constitution or into statutory law

inherent powers

powers of the president based on placing the executive power in the president, and the president’s role to faithfully execute the laws

patronage

the practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts

Washington community

individuals regularly involved with politics in DC

emergency powers

inherent powers exercised by the president during a period of national crisis

executive order

a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of a law

what do executive orders affect?

executive orders can implement and give administrative effect to provisions in the Constitution, to treaties, and to statutes

Federal Register

a publication of the US government that prints executive orders, rules, and regulations

executive privilege

the right of executive officials to withhold information from or refuse to appear before a legislative committee

impeachment

an action by the House to accuse the president, vp, or other official officers of the US of committing treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors

cabinet

advisory group selected by the president with 15 heads of executive departments, and others named by the president

kitchen cabinet

the informal advisers to the president

Executive Office of the President

an organization established by FDR to assist the president in carrying out major duties

White House Office

the personal office of the president, which tends to presidential political needs and manages media

chief of staff

the person who is named to direct the White House Office and advise the president

permanent campaign

a coordinated and planned strategy carried out by the White House to increase the president’s popularity and support

Office of Management and Budget

a division of EOP that assists the president in preparing the annual budget, coordinating departmental agency budgets, and supervising the administration of the federal budget

National Security Council

an agency in the EOP that advises the president on national security

policy czar

a high-ranking member of the EOP appointed to coordinate action in one specific policy area

25th Amendment

a 1967 amendment that establishes procedures for filing presidential and vp vacancies and makes provisions for presidential disability