AP Gov- Executive Branch

Impeachment

A constitutional procedure by which federal judges and civil officers can be removed from office before their terms expire. Charges against the President are brought by the House, then tried by the Senate with the Chief Justice in attendance.

Executive privilege

The presidential assertion of the right to withhold certain information from Congress.

Line-item veto

The power of some governors(and the president in a limited way between 1996 and 1998) to veto portions of a veto in the entire bill

electoral college

A 2 part legal system by which states select electors who then vote for the president and vice president, guided by the popular cote, to officially elect the President. 48 States are all or none in terms of electors, Nebraska and Maine are proportional.

25th amendment

legislation that specifies the conditions and order of succession to the presidency and vice presidency when the president leaves office before completion of his term

pocket veto

a form of veto in which the president fails to sign a bill passes by both houses within ten days and Congress has adjourned during this time

pyramid structure

a method of organizing a president's staff in which most presidential assistants report through a hierarchy to the president's chief of staff

White House Office

Presidential staff who oversee the policy interests of the President. The president's closest assistance w/ offices in the White House, usually the West Wing, oversee political & policy interests of the president, not confirmed by Senate, hires& fired by the pres.

Veto message

a statement sent to Congress by the president giving the reasons for vetoing a bill

bully pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Gridlock

term used to express concern over inefficacy in government which ight result from Congress and the Presidency being controlled by members of different parties.

Ad hoc structure

a method of organizing a president's staff in which several task forces, committees, and informal groups deal directly with the president

cabinet

a president's council of advisers. The heads of 15 executive branch departments of the federal government

circular structure

a method of organizing a president's staff in which several presidential assistants report directly to the president

trustee

view of presidential decision making which stressed what the public interest requires

divided government

a government in which one party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress

Lame duck

a politician who is still in office after having lost a reelection bid

legislative veto

the rejection of a presidential or administrative action by a vote of one or both of Congress without the consent of the president

unified government

a government in which the same part controls the White House and both houses of Congress

Office of Management & Budges

the organization responsible for preparing the federal budget and for central clearance of legislative proposals from federal agencies

Independent agencies

agencies headed by appointees who serve for fixed terms and can be removed only "for cause". Ex: federal reserve board, Consumer Product, Safety Commission

Executive agencies

have heads that can can be removed at any time Ex: Postal Service and all cabinet departnments

Impoundment of funds

a presidential refusal to spend money appropriated by Congress. Congress must agree within 45 days to delte the item or they are required to spend the money. ( presidents must notify Congress of delays in spending)

Honeymoon

term used to describe early months of the presidential terms when popularity ratings tend to be relatively high

Executive Office of the President

agencies that perform staff services for the president but are not part of the White House

Delegate

view of presidential decision-making which stressed what the public wants

delegation of powers

the process by which Congress given the executive branch he additional authority needed to address new problem

executive agreement

formal government agreement entered into by the president that does not require the advice and consent of the US Senate

executive order

rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. All executive orders must be published int he FEDERAL REGISTER

Inherent powers

authority claimed by the president that is not clearly specified in the Constitution. Typically, these powers are inferred from the Constitution

Presidential mandate

an endorsement by votes. Presidents sometimes argue they have been given a mandate to carry out policy proposals.