Executive Branch

Civil Service

the group of people whose job it is to carry out the work of the government, excluding military

merit system

hiring people into government jobs on the basis of their qualifications

Patronage System

people are appointed to important government positions as a reward for political loyalty

Neutral

Civil Servants are permanent employees and remain focused on their job regardless of which political party is in power. This means they can work through multiple presidents.

partisan

biased toward a political party

appointed

selected for a job; chosen

fine

a sum of money to be paid to as punishment for breaking regulations

regulation

the use of governmental authority to control some practices in the private sector.

independant agency

federal board or commission that is not part of any cabinet department

agency point of view

The tendency of bureaucrats to place the interests of their agency ahead of other interests and ahead of the priorities sought by the president or Congress.

Bully Pulpit

the president's use of his prestige and visibility to rally public support for his progams.

State of the Union Address

A yearly report by the president to Congress describing the nation's condition and recommending programs and policies. Today it is more focused on rallying public support.

Senate Confirmation

the process outlined in Article II of the Constitution, giving Senate the authority to approve appointments made by the president.

Supreme Court nomination process

Presidents most important legacy; The Senate Judiciary committee questions the nominees. The president's influence can last decades in government because the Supreme Court has jobs for life.

bipartisan bureaucracy

Not influenced by Political Parties. They can have continuity of service beyond the president.

USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)

A 2018 update to NAFTA, this executive agreement allows for free trade between the US, Mexico, and Canada.

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die.

Seperation of powers

dividing the powers of government among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches

Formal Powers of the President

Stated directly in the Constitution: Veto, command armed forces, pardon, receive ambassadors, give the State of the Union Address.

Congressional Oversight

Congress reviews the operations and budgets of executive departments and independent regulatory agencies.

policy implementation

Congress writes the law, the federal agency carries it out.

discretionary authority

Bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by laws.

rule making authority

An agency's ability to make rules that affect how programs operate, and to force states and corporations to obey these rules as if they were laws.

independent agencies

agencies in the executive branch of the federal government not covered by the executive departments. Example: NASA

Going Native

Administrators identifying themselves with the interests of their own departments contrary to the policy preferences of the President

Informal Powers of the President

Not Written in the Constitution: Bully Pulpit, power of persuasion, make executive agreements, issue executive orders, issue signing statements.

Office of Budget and Management (OMB)

Executive Agency, advises the President and Congress on the federal budget, creates national budget,

War Powers Resolution 1973

The President can only send troops into action abroad for more than 60 days by authorization of Congress. Based on the Constitutional idea that only Congress can declare war.

Federalist 70

Paper by Alexander Hamilton where he argues for a strong executive leader who is best represented by one man rather than multiple.

executive order

a rule or command that has the force of law and does not require Congress consent. More common when the President and Congress are different parties.

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

signing statement

a presidential document that reveals what the president thinks and how a law ought to be enforced when he signs the bill.

bargaining and persuasion

an informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his or her policy initiatives

Article II

Establishes the Executive Branch

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

White House Staff

Personnel who run the White House and advise the President. They do not need to be confirmed by the Senate.

Veto

When the president rejects a bill. He must reject the whole bill, he cannot reject parts of it.

Committe on Oversight and Reform

Congressional Committee that focuses on reviewing executive agency actions.

Attorney General

the head of the department of justice

The Cabinet

group of officials who head 15 government departments and advise the President

Pardon Power of President

release from the punishment of a federal crime, by the President. Cannot be used for impeachment