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20th Amendment

This change to the Constitution was ratified in 1933, changed the terms of the President and Vice President to begin on January 20th and the terms of Senators and Representatives to begin on January 3rd.This shorter transition period between elections and the new administration allows for a more efficient transfer of power.

22nd Amendment

This change to the Constitution prohibits anyone who has been elected president twice from being elected to the office again.

25th Amendment

Ratified in 1967, this change to the Constitution provides a clear line of succession for the presidency and establishes rules for handling presidential disability.

Bureaucrat

This is a person who works for a department or agency of the federal government and is also known as a civil servant.

Executive orders

This is a written, signed directive issued by the President of the United States that has the force of law without requiring the legislative approval of Congress.

Pardon

This is an act of legal forgiveness granted by a president that relieves a convicted individual from the penalties of a crime.

USA Patriot Act 2001

This legislation was designed to strengthen the government's ability to detect and prevent terrorism by expanding law enforcement's investigative powers, improving interagency communication and surveillance, and increasing tools to monitor and combat terrorist financing and money laundering.

War Powers Act 1973

This legislation was intended to restrict the U.S. president's power to engage in armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress.

Federal Reserve System

Established in 1913, this is the central banking system of the United States.

Cabinet

This advisory body includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments.

Spoils system

This is the practice where a victorious political party rewards its supporters with government jobs.

Civil service system

The Pendleton Act of 1883 created this government framework that hires, promotes, and manages civilian employees based on merit and qualifications, rather than political favoritism.

Whistleblower

This is a federal employee who reports or exposes corruption or wrongdoing by the government.

Red tape

This term refers to excessive and burdensome bureaucratic rules, regulations, and procedures that hinder efficient decision-making and action, leading to delays and frustration.

Voice of America

This is a U.S. government-funded international multimedia broadcast that provides news, information, and cultural programming in over 40 languages to audiences outside the United States.

Collective security

This is an international relations framework where member states agree to take joint action against any threat to the peace, with an attack on one member considered an attack on all.

NSA

The largest of the intelligence agencies, this organization is responsible for code-breaking and electronic spying.

Department of State

This is the federal executive department responsible for the United States' foreign affairs and international relations.

Department of Defense

This cabinet-level executive department is responsible for coordinating and supervising the nation's armed forces—the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

Intelligence community

This refers to the 18 distinct U.S. federal agencies, departments, and organizations that work both independently and together to gather, analyze, and produce intelligence for national security and foreign policy needs.