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Gridlock
The inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action.
Formal Power
Authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
Informal Power
Authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.
Executive Order
A directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of Congress.
Executive Agreement
A pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation that does not require Senate consent.
Treaty
A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate.
Cabinet
The heads of the fifteen executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president.
Bully pulpit
The president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the American public.
State of the Union
An annual address given by the president to Congress outlining his legislative agenda.
Executive Privilege
The president’s ability to keep certain communications private, clarified by United States v. Nixon.
22nd Amendment
This provision of the Constitution limits presidential terms to two, not to exceed 10 years.
25th Amendment
This provision of the Constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability.
Veto
The presidential power to deny a bill passed by Congress.
Pocket veto
When a bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourned.
Line-Item Veto
The power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill, though presidents may not use this.
Signing statement
Issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals the president's comments on the new law.
Impeachment
The constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official.
Pardon
Official forgiveness of a crime.
Lame duck
An official still in office after losing a bid for re-election or reaching his/her term limit.
Congressional Oversight
The authority of Congress to conduct hearings, investigations, and budget reviews of the executive branch.
Bureaucracy
A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials.
Executive Office of the President
The part of the executive branch that supports the president in his responsibilities.
White House Staff
Personnel who run day-to-day operations in the White House and advise the president.
Executive Departments
15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulate their respective areas.
Independent Regulatory Commissions
Agencies responsible for monitoring large government sectors and not subject to control by Congress or the President.
Government Corporations
A government agency that carries out business-like functions.
Office of Management and Budget
This part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year.
Discretionary authority/Bureaucratic Discretion
The extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action not spelled out by Congress.
Civil service
Government workers hired on the basis of merit who fulfill daily functions of the bureaucracy.
Merit system
Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees based on abilities and competence.
Pendleton Act
The law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of civil service members.
Iron triangle
A mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.
Issue Network
A link of policy experts, interest groups, and others who regularly debate an issue.
Appropriation
A legislative grant of money to finance a government program or agency.
Regulation
The use of government authority to control or change business practices in the private sector.
