Chapter 5 & 7 Terms [Executive Branch]

policy agenda

set of issues that gov officials, policymakers, and the public prioritize at a given time. influenced by political leaders, media, and public opinion.

Article II

establishes the executive branch, giving the president the power to enforce laws, act as commander-in-chief, make treaties, and appoint officials. it also outlines the Electoral College system and the impeachment process.

formal powers

authorities granted in the constitution given to a branch of government, such as the president’s power to veto laws or Congress’s power to declare war.

informal powers

authorities not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution that allow gov. officials to influence policy and lead effectively, often through means like negotiation and executive actions (by the president)

Chief Legislator

the president's role in influencing the legislative process, including proposing laws, setting the legislative agenda, and exercising veto power over bills passed by Congress.

veto

allows the president to reject legislation from Congress. prevents a bill from becoming law unless Congress overrides it with a two-thirds majority in both houses.

pocket veto

tactic where president does not sign a bill within ten days while Congress meeting is suspended, effectively killing the bill without a formal veto. allows the president to avoid political fallout from rejecting legislation.

Federalist No. 70

essay by Hamilton advocating for a strong executive branch. a unified president is essential for effective governance, accountability, and decisive action.

Washington’s Example

precedents set by Washington during his presidency. formation of a Cabinet, serving only two terms, and the establishment of a strong federal government, which shaped the role of the presidency.

imperial presidency

presidency that exceeds constitutional limits and acts with significant authority, raising concerns about the balance of power and potential abuses in the executive branch.

Andrew Jackson

7th US president who founded the Democratic party and had a populist approach. featured the Indian Removal Act, which resulted in the Trail of Tears, and his strong opposition to the 2nd Bank of the US.

Abraham Lincoln

16th US president, lead nation during Civil War and worked to preserve the Union. issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslaved people in Confederate states, delivered the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing equality and national unity.

Teddy Roosevelt

26th US president. known for progressive reforms and strong leadership style. championed trust-busting, conservation efforts, and the Square Deal policy, aiming to protect consumers, workers, and the environment. played a key role in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War, earned Nobel Peace Prize.

Woodrow Wilson

28th president. known for leading the country during World War I and promoting the League of Nations. advocated for progressive reforms, including the Federal Reserve Act and the Clayton Antitrust Act, and emphasized moral diplomacy in foreign policy.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd president. Lead the nation during the Great Depression and World War II. Implemented the New Deal (programs and reforms aimed at economic recovery), is remembered for his strong leadership and radio addresses, known as "fireside chats."

22nd amendment

(1951) limits U.S. presidents to two elected terms in office.

secretaries

the leaders of executive departments in the US gov. appointed by the President. Apart of the President’s Cabinet and advise on issues related to their specific department (such as the Secretary of State or Secretary of Defense)

State Department

federal agency responsible for managing US foreign policy, international relations, and diplomatic affairs. headed by Secretary of State.

Defense Department

federal agency responsible for overseeing national security and managing the US military. headed by the Secretary of Defense.

Federal agencies

gov’t organizations responsible for implementing and enforcing federal laws and policies. (ex. FBI, EPA, CDC)

EOP (executive office of the president)

group of agencies and staff that assist the president in carrying out the executive duties, including the White House staff, the national security council, and the office of management and budget.

White House Staff

group of individuals who work directly with the President, providing advice and support on various issues. they do not require senate confirmation and include positions like the Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, and National Security Advisor.

Chief of Staff

the president’s top aide, responsible for managing the white house staff, coordinating the president’s schedule, and acting as a gatekeeper to the president. plays a key role in decision making and communication within the administration.

Recess appointments

presidential appointments made while the senate is in a break, allowing the president to fill vacancies without senate approval. these appointments are temporary and expire at the end of the senate’s next session.

Line-item veto

power of a president to reject specific provisions of a bill without vetoing the entire legislation (later ruled unconstitutional in clinton v city of NY in 1998)

Commander in Chief

presidents role as the supreme leader of the US military, responsible for directing military operations and decisions.

Chief diplomat

the presidents role in managing foreign relations, including negotiating treaties and appointing ambassadors.

Executive agreement

international agreement made by the president without the need for senate approval, typically on routine matters.

Chief Executive & Administrator

the presidents role in enforcing federal laws, overseeing the executive branch, and managing government agencies.

Executive orders

directives issued by the president that manage operations of the federal government, having the force of law but not requiring congressional approval.

Signing statements

_________ issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often outlining how the president intends to interpret or enforce the law.

Executive privilege

presidents right to withhold information from Congress, the courts, or the public, especially if revealing it could compromise national security or the functioning of the executive branch.

US v Nixon

a landmark supreme court case in 1974 that limited the presidents claim of executive privilege, ruling that it could not be used to withhold evidence in a criminal investigation.

Vice President

second-highest executive officer in the US, serving as president of the senate and assuming the presidency if the president dies or is incapacitated.

Cabinet

a group of senior advisors to the president, consisting of the heads of executive departments (ex secretary of state or secretary of defense), who help the president make decisions and implement policies.

War Powers Act

law passed in 1973 limiting the presidents ability to send US troops into combat without congressional approval. requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and limits military engagement to 60 days without congressional authorization.

bully pulpit

president’s use of their position and visibility to influence public opinion and promote their policy agenda.

State of the Union

an annual address by the president to congress, where they report on the nation’s status and outline their legislative agenda for the coming year.

Communications staff

a team of advisors and experts responsible for managing the president’s public messaging, including speeches, media relations, and public appearances.

Spin

act of presenting information in a way that favors a particular interpretation or perspective, often used by political leaders or their staff to shape public perception.

Federal Bureaucracy

complex system of non-elected government officials within the executive branch who are responsible for implementing and enforcing laws passed by Congress.

Cabinet Secretaries

leaders of executive departments who advise the president, manage federal agencies, and help implement national policy.

Executive departments

main divisions of the federal government, such as the Department of State and Department of Defense, each responsible for specific policy areas and administration.

Agencies

gov. organizations, either within executive departments or independent, tasked with carrying out specific functions like law enforcement, regulation, or public services.

Independent Commissions

regulatory bodies created by Congress that operate independently from the executive branch. enforce rules and regulations in specific areas, like finance and communication, minimizing political influence to ensure impartiality. SEC, FCC etc

Government Corporations

federally owned businesses, like the U.S. Postal Service, that provide public services while operating similarly to private companies.

Compliance Monitoring

bureaucratic agencies ensure businesses, individuals, and organizations follow federal laws and regulations.

Testifying Before Congress

when bureaucrats and agency officials provide information, expertise, and policy updates to congressional committees during hearings.

Iron Triangle

mutually supportive relationship between interest groups, Congress, and government bureaucracies

Issue Network

A broader, less formal group of people and organizations that work together to influence government policy

Patronage

practice of awarding government jobs and political positions to supporters, allies, and donors rather than based on merit.

Spoils system

political leaders reward loyal supporters with government jobs, often leading to inefficiency and corruption.

Civil Service

hiring and employment for government workers based on qualifications, experience, and performance rather than political affiliation.

Pendleton Civil Service Act

1883 law that ended the spoils system and established a merit-based hiring system for federal government jobs.

Merit System

hiring and promotion process in government based on qualifications, exams, and performance rather than political connections.

Civil Service Commission

federal agency created to enforce merit-based hiring and protect government employees from political influence.

Interstate Commerce Commission

first federal regulatory agency, established in 1887 to oversee and regulate railroad rates, later expanding to other industries.

OPM

federal agency responsible for hiring, managing, and overseeing policies related to the civil service workforce.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

power to bureaucratic agencies to interpret and apply laws, allowing them to set rules and regulations to enforce legislation effectively.

regulations/rules

guidelines and policies set by bureaucratic agencies that carry the force of law and govern how individuals and industries operate.

Independent Regulatory Agencies and Commissions

government organizations like the FDA and SEC that regulate specific industries and enforce laws without direct presidential control.

Congressional Oversight

congress to monitor, investigate, and review the actions of the executive branch and federal agencies to ensure accountability.

Power of the Purse

congress’s authority to control government spending by approving budgets and setting financial limits on federal programs and agencies.

Authorization of Spending

congressional process that legally allows federal agencies and programs to exist and outlines how much money they may receive.

appropriations

actual allocation of government funds by Congress, determining how much money each federal agency or program receives.

OIRA

division within the White House that reviews federal regulations to ensure they align with presidential priorities and do not impose excessive costs.

Legislative Veto

mechanism once used by Congress to reject executive actions or regulations, declared unconstitutional in 1983.

INS v. Chadha (1983)

supreme Court case that ruled the legislative veto unconstitutional, reinforcing the separation of powers and limiting congressional control over executive actions.

Whistleblower Protection Act

law designed to protect federal employees from retaliation when they expose government misconduct, corruption, or illegal activities.

Judicial Review

power of the courts to review laws, executive actions, and government policies to determine their constitutionality.