POLS 1101 Chapter 12: The Presidency Vocabulary + Key Info

Major duties and powers that the delegates listed for Washington and his successors

-Serve as administrative head of the nation

-Provide information on the state of the union

-Act as commander in chief of the military

-Veto legislation

-Appoint various officials and grant pardons

-Make treaties

pocket veto

A veto that takes effect when the president does not act on a bill and Congress adjourns within ten days.

pardons

The presidential power to release persons accused or convicted of a federal crime from all or part of their punishment.

bully pulpit

A term that refers to the presidency as an office well suited to communicating directly with the public in order to advocate legislation.

inherent powers

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

executive privilege

The right of a president to maintain confidential executive branch communications in some circumstances, declaring immunity from subpoenas and information requests made by Congress and the courts.

Trump v. the United States

The Supreme Court held by a vote of 6 to 3 that a president is immune from prosecution for his "official" actions under the Constitution but liable for "unofficial" acts and returned cases pending against him to lower federal courts for decision. Legal scholars said that the ruling materially expanded presidential power.

executive orders

A presidential directive that instructs executive branch officials and agencies to create or modify public policies, without the direct approval of Congress.

presidential memorandum

A presidential policy directive similar to an executive order but not published in the Federal Register.

signing statement

A statement issued by the president declaring their interpretation of legislation being signed into law.

proclamations

A presidential statement that is usually ceremonial but may declare a president's intention to use their formal or delegated powers.

delegation of powers

The process by which Congress gives the executive branch the additional authority needed to address new problems.

White House Office (WHO)

The president's chief of staff and closest advisors; coordinates the president's schedule, press relations, and political strategy.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The president's executive aides and their staffs; the extended White House executive establishment.

cabinet

A group of presidential advisers; the heads of the executive departments and other key officials.

divided government

The situation in which one party controls the White House and the other controls at least one house of Congress.

gridlock

A situation in which government is incapable of acting on important issues.

legislative liaison staff

Those people who act as the communications link between the White House and Congress, advising the president or cabinet secretaries on the status of pending legislation.

industrial policy

Government efforts to develop specific segments of the economy, usually in manufacturing.

The Constitution establishes that Congress is empowered to:

-Legislate.

-Declare war.

-Raise revenue and dispense funds.

-Support, maintain, govern, and regulate the army and navy.

-Call out the state militias to repel invasions.

-Regulate commerce with foreign nations.

-Define and punish piracy and offenses against the law of nations.

The Senate alone is given the power to:

-Give advice and consent to treaties made by the president.

-Give advice and consent to the appointment of ambassadors and various other public officials involved in foreign policy.

War Powers Resolution

An act of Congress that forces that body to decide whether a commitment of troops into a war zone is permissible.

treaties

A legal agreement between two or more countries.

executive agreement

A pact between the heads of two countries that does not require Senate ratification.

national security directive (NSD)

A highly classified presidential order that guides national security policy.