Unit 2- Executive Branch Vocab

Ambassadors

Official representatives of the U.S. to foreign nations, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

Bully Pulpit

The president's use of the office's visibility to promote an agenda and influence public opinion.

Cabinet

Group of presidential advisors who head executive departments, confirmed by the Senate.

Chief of Staff

Top aide to the president; manages White House staff and access to the president.

Commander in Chief

The president's role as head of the U.S. armed forces.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Agencies that support and advise the president (e.g., OMB, NSC).

Executive Order

Presidential directive with the force of law, directing federal agencies.

Executive Privilege

The president's right to keep certain communications secret for national security or confidentiality.

Honeymoon Period

Early months of a presidency when approval is high and Congress is cooperative.

Impeachment

The process of charging a president or federal official with misconduct; House impeaches, Senate tries.

Inherent Powers

Powers not listed in the Constitution but claimed by the president (e.g., emergency powers).

Lame Duck Period

Time between the election of a new president and the exit of the old one, with reduced influence.

Line-Item Veto

Power to reject parts of a bill (unconstitutional for the president).

National Security Council (NSC)

Advises the president on foreign policy, security, and military matters.

Pocket Veto

When the President doesn't sign or formally veto a bill, but instead just takes no action on it while Congress adjourns during the 10-day period (excluding Sundays).

Presidential Succession Act (1947)

Sets order of succession after the VP (Speaker → Senate Pro Tempore → Cabinet).

Recess Appointment

President appoints an official while Senate is not in session; temporary until end of next session.

Signing Statements

Presidential notes added to a bill when signing, explaining interpretation or enforcement.

State of the Union

Yearly speech to Congress outlining policy goals and priorities.

Twelfth Amendment

Requires separate electoral votes for president and vice president.

Twentieth Amendment

Shortened lame-duck period; inauguration moved to January 20.

Twenty-Second Amendment

Limits presidents to two terms (or max 10 years).

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Clarifies succession and procedures if president is disabled or VP spot is vacant.

Veto

President's rejection of a bill; Congress can override with a two-thirds vote.

War Powers Act (1973)

Limits president's ability to commit troops; requires congressional approval after 60 days.

White House Staff

Closest advisors and aides to the president; not Senate confirmed.

Appropriations

Congressional legislation that provides funding for government programs and agencies.

Authorization of Spending

Congressional permission for an agency to spend money, often through legislation.

Civil Service Commission

A government agency created in 1883 by the Pendleton Act to oversee the merit system, making sure federal jobs were given based on qualifications and performance rather than political connections (ended the 'spoils system').

Civil Service Reform Act (1978)

Law that restructured the civil service, created OPM and MSPB, and emphasized merit.

Competitive Service

Federal jobs filled through competitive exams or merit-based selection.

Compliance Monitoring

The process by which bureaucratic agencies check that businesses, institutions, and state/local governments are following federal laws and regulations.

Discretionary Authority

Power of federal agencies to make decisions and enforce laws not specifically spelled out by Congress.

Excepted Service

Government jobs outside the standard merit system, often for specialized roles.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Federal law enforcement agency under the DOJ; investigates crimes and national security threats.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Independent agency that enforces campaign finance laws.

Freedom of Information Act (1966)

Law granting public access to government documents, with some exceptions.

Hatch Act (1939)

A federal law that restricts the political activities of government employees, preventing them from using their official positions to influence elections or engage in partisan politics while on duty.

Iron Triangle

Relationship among congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups that shape policy.

Issue Networks

Looser, temporary alliances of interest groups, experts, and media that influence policy-making.

Legislative Veto

Congressional rejection of executive actions; declared unconstitutional in INS v. Chadha (1983).

Merit System

A system of hiring and promoting government employees based on exams, qualifications, and job performance, rather than political connections (spoils system).

National Performance Review (NPR)

1990s initiative to make the federal bureaucracy more efficient.

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA)

Reviews regulations proposed by executive agencies.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Manages the federal civil service, hiring, and exams.

Patronage

Practice of giving government jobs to political supporters and allies.

Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)

Established the merit system and eliminated most patronage/spoils system.

Red Tape

Complex rules and procedures of bureaucracy that slow down action.

Senior Executive Service (SES)

High-level civil servants who manage government operations and link political appointees to career bureaucracy.

Spoils System

Practice of rewarding supporters with government jobs (used heavily in the 19th century).

Sunshine Act (1976)

Law requiring government meetings to be open to the public when possible.

Whistleblower Protection Act (1989)

Protects government employees who report misconduct or waste.