PLS 135 United States Government - Branches of Government: The Executive Branch

Flashcards on the Executive Branch, the Vice Presidency, the Cabinet, and the Bureaucracy.

American Political Culture Values

Beliefs of limited government, liberty, individualism, equality and democracy in American political culture.

Distrust of Power

Distrust of strong leadership, authority and public sector due to American political culture.

Formal Requirements for the Presidency

Must be 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and have resided in the U.S. for 14 years.

Term of Office for the President

A 4-year term, with a limit of two terms or a total of 10 years, as per the 22nd Amendment.

25th Amendment

Lays out the line of succession, stating that the Vice President shall become President in case of removal, death, or resignation of the President.

Impeachment

An accusation requiring a majority vote in the House; a political process, not a legal one.

National Security Powers

Commander-in-chief, chief diplomat, makes treaties, and nominates ambassadors.

Legislative Powers

State of the Union Address, veto legislation, convene special sessions of Congress, recommend legislation, and sign bills into law.

Administrative Powers

Take care that the laws may be faithfully executed, nominate officials, and fill administrative vacancies.

Executive Agreements

Informal agreements with foreign countries, not treaties, usually with some Congressional action.

Executive Orders

Has force of law, listed in Federal Registry, affects federal workers and agencies.

Judicial Powers

Grant pardons and reprieves and nominate federal judges.

Pardon

Forgiveness of a crime and cancellation of the relevant penalty.

Reprieve

To postpone or cancel the punishment of.

Informal Powers

Negotiates executive agreements, recognized as a global leader, expected to manage international crises, and has access to confidential information.

The Vice Presidency

Ticket balancer with legislative and executive powers; power has grown over time.

The Cabinet

Presidential advisors, not in Constitution, made up of cabinet secretaries and the Attorney General, confirmed by the Senate.

National Security Council (NSC)

Members include the president, vice president, secretary of state and defense, and managed by the president’s national security advisor.

Council of Economic Advisers (CEA)

A three-member body appointed by the president to advise on economic policy.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Performs both managerial and budgetary functions, including legislative review and budgetary assessments of proposals.

The White House Staff

Chief aides and staff for the president.

The First Lady

No official government position, but many get involved politically.

Bureaucracy

A way of administratively organizing large numbers of people who need to work together.

Independent Executive Agencies

Those that exist outside the federal executive departments and the Executive Office of the President.

Regulatory Agencies

Created by an act of Congress that are independent of the executive departments and meant to impose and enforce regulations.

Government Corporation

An agency of the federal government established by Congress to perform a public purpose.

Writing & Enforcing Regulations

Creating rules to implement laws passed by Congress.

Issuing Fines

Penalizing individuals or organizations that violate regulations.

Testifying Before Congress

Providing expert information and updates on policies and enforcement.

Oversight Necessity

Bureaucratic institutions have significant discretionary power in implementing legislation.

Hearings (Oversight Tool)

Investigations and testimonies to review agency actions.

Power of the Purse (Oversight Tool)

Control over agency funding to influence operations.

Iron Triangles

A stable, three-way relationship between bureaucratic agencies, Congressional committees, and interest groups.

Issue Networks

A more fluid and informal collection of groups and individuals who influence policy on a specific issue.

electoral college

A body of electors established by the Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States.

independent government agencys

Organizations created by Congress that operate outside of the executive departments, designed to regulate specific areas of public policy.