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43 Terms
1
Bargaining and Persuasion
An informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his or her policy initiatives.
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2
Bully Pulpit
Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies.
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3
Cabinet
Group of officials who head government departments and advise the President.
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4
Electoral College
A constitutionally required process for selecting the president through slates of electors chosen in each state, who are pledged to vote for a nominee in the presidential election.
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5
Executive Agreement
An agreement between a president and another nation that does not require Senate ratification.
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6
Executive Branch
The institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by the legislative branch.
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7
Executive Office of the President
A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president.
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8
Executive Order
Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.
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9
Executive Privilege
A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny.
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10
Formal (or Enumerated) Powers
Powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.
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11
Going Public
A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people to put pressure on their representatives.
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12
Impeachment
Charges issued by the House of Representatives against a federal official for committing high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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13
Informal Powers
Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.
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14
Lame Duck Period
Period at the end of a presidential term when Congress may block presidential initiatives.
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15
Line-item Veto
An executive's ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.
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16
Pocket Veto
An informal veto caused when the president does not sign a bill within ten days during a congressional adjournment.
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17
Presidential Pardon
Presidential authority to forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime.
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18
Signing Statement
Text issued by presidents while signing a bill into law, often including political statements or interpretations of the law.
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19
State of the Union Address
The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on national affairs.
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20
Treaty
An agreement with a foreign government that requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.
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21
Veto
Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.
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22
Veto Message
A statement sent to Congress by the president giving reasons for vetoing a bill.
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23
War Powers Resolution
A law that restricts the president's power to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization.
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24
White House Office
The personal office of the president, managing political needs and media.
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25
Appropriation
Money that Congress has allocated to be spent.
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26
Bureaucrat
An official employed within a government bureaucracy.
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27
Bureaucratic Adjudication
When the federal bureaucracy settles disputes over the implementation of federal laws.
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28
Bureaucratic Discretion
The power to decide how a law is implemented and interpret Congressional intent.
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29
Bureaucratic Imperialism
The tendency of agencies to expand their program responsibilities.
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30
Department of Homeland Security
Cabinet department created to coordinate domestic security efforts post-9/11.
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31
Discretionary Authority
The ability of officials to make policies not spelled out in advance by laws.
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32
Federal Bureaucracy
The departments and agencies within the executive branch that carry out national laws.
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33
Federal Civil Service
The merit-based bureaucracy, excluding armed forces and political appointments.
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34
Implementation
The role of the bureaucracy in putting into action laws passed by Congress.
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35
Iron Triangle
Coordinated activities of the bureaucracy, Congress, and interest groups to achieve policy goals.
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36
Issue Network
Webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and advocates.
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37
Merit System
A system of hiring based on competitive testing results and qualifications.
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38
Pendleton Act
Act that created the first U.S. Civil Service Commission for rules on hiring and promotion.
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39
Political Patronage
Filling administrative positions as a reward for support rather than merit.
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40
Red Tape
Complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done.
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41
Regulation
The process through which the federal bureaucracy makes rules with the force of law.
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42
Spoils System
The practice of giving public office to supporters of a successful political party.
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43
Trust Fund
Special account that holds revenues designated for specific expenditures.
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