Executive Branch

Presidential Requirements

U.S. Resident for 14 years.

At least 35 years old.

Natural-born citizen.

12th Amendment

Electors cast separate votes for President and Vice President.

20th Amendment

The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January.

22nd Amendment

No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice; 10 years max.

23rd Amendment

Grants three electoral votes to residents of D.C. (bringing the total up to 538).

25th Amendment

Process of Presidential succession in the event of death or incapacitation.

Chief of State

Represents the US at ceremonial events; more of an honorary title.

Chief Diplomat

Represents the US in foreign affairs.

Chief Citizen

Represents the people's concerns and is a model of the rule of law.

Chief of Party

Leads the political party in shaping and implementing platform agenda.

Chief Administrator

Leads, appoints, and oversees much of the federal bureaucracy.

Chief Executive

Enforce laws/policies of the federal government; pass executive orders and agreements.

Chief Legislator

Shape policy agenda for Congress, mainly through the State of the Union Address.

Commander-In-Chief

Leads all branches of the US armed services.

Military Aid

Aid which is used to assist a country or its people in its defense efforts, or to assist a poor country in maintaining control over its own territory.

Humanitarian Aid

Material and logistic aid (usually short-term) to help until the long-term help by government and other institutions replaces it.

Economic Aid

Financial assistance, often in the form of a loan.

Military Intervention

The movement of troops or forces of one country into the territory of another country, or military action by troops already stationed by one country inside another.

White House Staff

The group of advisors and assistants to the President.

Chief of Staff

Highest-ranking member of the Executive Office of the President (EOP); senior aide to the President.

Press Secretary

Primary spokesperson for the President, senior, and other government officials.

National Security Advisor

Serves as the chief advisor to the President on defense and security issues.

Department of State

Handles our relationships with foreign countries, including diplomatic relationships with over 180 other countries.

Department of Treasury

Manages the money for the US financial systems, including making money, collecting taxes, and ensuring government funding.

Department of Justice

Enforces the law and protects public safety, ensuring criminals are prosecuted and all Americans receive fair justice.

Department of Interior

Handles the conservation of land, managing national parks and protecting wildlife and natural resources.

Department of Agriculture

Oversees farming and food safety, ensuring proper growth and preparation of food.

Department of Commerce

Promotes the nation's economy through technological innovation, supporting business, and managing international trade.

Department of Labor

Ensures a strong workforce through job training, safe working conditions, and unemployment insurance.

Department of Defense

Provides the military that defends the country, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Department of Health & Human Services

Helps keep Americans healthy, administering Medicare and Medicaid.

Department of Housing & Urban Development

Works on national housing needs, helping poorer families to buy homes.

Department of Transportation

Ensures fast and safe transportation in the US, managing Federal Highways and the FAA.

Department of Energy

Advances national, economic, and energy security, finding new sources of clean, reliable energy.

Department of Education

Promotes national education and ensures education is available to everyone.

Veterans Affairs

Administers benefit programs for our veterans to ensure that people who served in battle for the US are taken care of once they are back home.

Homeland Security

Formed in 2002 by President George W. Bush after the 9/11 attacks to prevent and disrupt terrorist attacks within the United States.

Independent Executive Agency

Organizations that do not fall under the control of any one department, allowing presidents more direct control.

Independent Regulatory Commission/Agency

Organization outside of the cabinet departments that makes and enforces rules and regulations.

Government Corporations

Federal agencies that function in a businesslike manner and charge clients for their services.

State of the Union Address

Speech given by the President to Congress yearly to set the legislative agenda and inform the public on the 'condition of the country.'

Bureaucracy

Agencies and corporations under the jurisdiction of the Executive branch.

Spoils System

'To the winner, goes the spoils.' Before the Pendleton Act, Presidents would appoint loyalists to high ranking political positions after winning the election.

Pendleton Act

1883 - Candidates must be qualified to fill executive department positions.

Executive Agreement

Like a treaty or alliance, except between the President and other heads of state.

Executive Privilege

The President can withhold information that is considered vital to national security.

Executive Order

Like a law, but does not have to be passed through Congress.

Veto

Reject a bill.

Pocket Veto

The President does not take any action on a bill before the legislative session ends.

Pardon

President's power to absolve one's guilt in federal crimes (only).

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

On August 7, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, authorizing President Johnson to take any measures he believed were necessary to retaliate and to promote the maintenance of international peace and security in SE Asia.

War Powers Act (1973)

Intended to limit the power of the President; it requires him/her to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids troops from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period.

Swing State

Any state that can be won by either candidate based on current issues, trends, or expectations in an upcoming election.

Primaries

A preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for a general election; usually for the Presidency.

Caucuses

A meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office or select delegates to attend the national convention.

National Conventions

A meeting held every four years by each of the major political parties to nominate a presidential candidate.

General Elections

An election to choose among primary candidates who will take political office.

Popular Vote

The number or percentage of votes cast for a candidate by voters in a general election.

PACs

Political organizations established and administered by corporations, labor unions, membership organizations, or trade associations, restricted by federal law to contribute a max of $5,000 to a candidate and $15,000 to a political party.

Super PACs

Also known as Independent Expenditures Only Committees (IEOCs), can accept unlimited contributions and spend an unlimited amount supporting or opposing federal election candidates, but they cannot directly donate to federal candidates or parties.

Interest Groups

Any association of individuals or organizations, usually formally organized, that attempts to influence public policy in its favor.

Electoral College

Body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which forms every 4 years for the sole purpose of electing the president and vice president of the United States.

Political Party

An organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections.

Two-Party System

A political party system in which 2 major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape.

Liberalism

A political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise.

Conservatism

Based on a belief in limited government, individualism, traditionalism, republicanism, and limited federal government power in relation to U.S. states.