Executive branch vocab

Cabinet

The president's advisers. This comprised the heads of the executive branch departments as an official organization within the presidency. This, however, is not mentioned in the Constitution.

Impeach

The House of Representatives brings official charges against any member of the executive or judicial branch of government accused of misconduct.

Electoral College

A group of persons called electors who officially elect the president and vice president.

Bureaucracy

An organization structured in a pyramid-like fashion where everybody (except the person at the top) reports to another person. This allows the person to concentrate on their area of expertise.

Veto

Refusal of an executive leader to sign a bill into law.

Primaries

Party nominating elections. They can be open or closed depending on the state.

Fiscal Policy

The responsibility of the Presidency and Congress and involves adjusting taxation and spending to control the nation's economy.

Monetary Policy

Regulating the amount of money in circulation to control the economy. Responsibility of the Federal Reserve.

State of the Union Address

The speech given to Congress and the American people by the President which reports on the nation's health and its concerns regarding domestic and foreign issues.

Pardon

The power of the governor of a state or the President of the United States to excuse a pen for a criminal offense.

Foreign Policy

A nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations.

Embargo

An agreement among nations that prohibits them from trading with a 'target' nation.

Trade Sanctions

An effort to punish another nation by imposing trade barriers.

National Security

The ability to protect the country from attack or harm.

Executive Order

A rule or command issued by the President that has the force of law but is not as strong as a law passed by the legislature.

Ambassador

An official representative of a country's government.

Civil Service System

This system hires individuals into government jobs based on open, competitive exams and their qualifications, also known as the Merit System.

Spoils System

Rewarding people with government jobs based on their political support.

Political Appointee

A person appointed to a federal position by the President.

Tax

A mandatory payment to the government used to fund public services and programs.

Progressive Tax

A tax system where the tax rate increases as income increases (e.g., income tax).

Regressive Tax

A tax system in which lower-income individuals pay a higher percentage of their income than higher-income individuals.

Flat Tax

A tax system in which everyone pays the same percentage of their income, regardless of their earnings.

Deficit

When government expenditures exceed revenues in a given year.

Surplus

When government revenues exceed expenditures in a given year.

National Debt

The total amount the government owes accumulated over time due to deficits.

Subsidy

Financial assistance the government provides to support specific industries or activities (e.g., agriculture, renewable energy).

Inflation

The rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, reducing purchasing power.

Excise Tax

A tax on specific goods, such as gasoline, tobacco, or alcohol.

Tariff

A tax on imports or exports, often used to protect domestic industries. The cost is passed to consumers.

12th amendment

Different ballot for pres and vice pres

20th amendment

moved inauguration day

22nd amendment

10yr 2 term limit

23rd amendment

Washington dc gets electoral votes

25th amendment

set up order of succession