Studied by 2 people
Cabinet
The formal body of presidential advisors who head the 15 executive departments. Presidents often add others to this body
Executive Agreements
Formal international agreements entered into by the president that do not require consent of the Senate
Executive Order
Rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. Must be published in Federal Register
Executive Privilege
Implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations/national security to Congress or the judiciary
Office of Management & Budget
Office that prepares the president’s annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, supplies economic forecasts and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills/agency rules
Pardon
Executive grant providing restoration of all rights and privileges of citizenship to a specific individual charged with or convicted of a crime
Presidential Succession Act of 1947
Law enacted by Congress that provides for the filling of any simultaneous vacancy of the president and vice president
Signing Statements
Occasional written comments attached to a bill signed by the president
25th Amendment
Adopted in 1967 to establish procedures for filling vacancies in the office of president and vice president as well as providing for procedures to deal with the disability of a president
22nd Amendment
Adopted in 1951, prevents presidents from serving more than 2 terms or more than 10 years if they came to office via death, resignation, or removal of predecessor
U.S. v. Nixon
Supreme Court ruling on power of the president, holding that no absolute constitutional executive privilege allows a president to refuse to comply with a court order to produce information needed in a criminal trial
Administrative Discretion
Ability of bureaucrats to make choices concerning the best way to implement congressional/executive intentions
Cabinet Departments
Major administrative units with responsibility for a broad area of government operations. Departmental status usually indicates a permanent national interest in a particular government function (defense, commerce, or agriculture)
Civil Service System
Merit system by which many federal bureaucrats are selected
Federal Bureaucracy
Thousands of federal government agencies and institutions that implement and administer federal laws and programs
Government Corporations
Businesses established by Congress to perform functions that private businesses could provide (Postal Service, Amtrack). Often established when financial incentives for private industry to provide services are minimal
Implementation
Process by which a law/policy is put into operation
Iron Triangles
Relatively ironclad relationships and patterns of interaction that occur among agencies, interest groups, and congressional committees/subcommittees
Issue Networks
Loose and informal relationships that exist among a large number of actors who work in broad policy areas
Merit System
System of employment based on qualifications, test scores, and ability rather than loyalty
Patronage
Jobs, grants, or other special favors that are given as rewards to friends and political allies for their support
Pendleton Act
Reform measure that established the principle of federal employment on the basis of open, competitive exams and created the Civil Service Commission
Regulations
Rules governing the operation of all government programs that have the force of law
Rulemaking
Quasi-legislative process resulting in regulations that have the characteristics of a legislative act
16th Amendment
Amendment to Constitution that authorized Congress to enact a national income tax
Spoils System
Firing of public-office holders of a defeated political party to replace them with loyalists of the newly elected party
Note 
Flashcard (22)