Executive Branch Vocab Quiz List

Amnesty

A general pardon for an offense against a government; in general, any act of forgiveness or absolution.

Bully pulpit

Informal power of the President for agenda setting that uses the media to influence public views about which policies are the most important.

Divided Government

When one party controls the presidency and the other party controls at least one of the chambers of Congress.

Cabinet

An advisory body to the President made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments and the Vice President.

Executive Privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

25th Amendment

Establishes the official procedures for presidential succession if a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office, and outlines how to fill a vacancy in the vice presidency. it also provides mechanisms for the temporary or involuntary transfer of power to the vice president as acting president if the commander-in-chief becomes incapacitated or unable to discharge their duties.

Impeach

To accuse government officials of misconduct in office.

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents. Presidents cannot serve their role for more than 10 years

Impound

To confine; to retain in legal custody

Line-item veto

The (unconstitutional) authority of the President to reject or veto particular provisions of a bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

Formal power of the President to check Congress, and cannot be overridden with a 2/3 vote of both houses of Congress.

Presidential Succession

Signing statement

An informal power of the President to inform Congress and the public of the president's interpretation of laws passed by Congress and signed by the president.

Prorouge

Refers to the official power to discontinuing a session of a parliament or legislative body without completely dissolving it. In the United States, the President has the constitutional authority under Article II to prorogue Congress, but only in the rare instance that the House and Senate cannot agree on an adjournment date.

White House Chief of Staff

The highest-ranking employee within the Executive Office of the President and serves as the primary manager of White House staff operations. This individual controls access to the Oval Office, manages the President's daily schedule, and serves as a crucial political adviser and liaison to Congress.

Executive agreement

Informal foreign policy power of the President.

Executive order

An informal power to allow the president to manage the federal government and are implied by the president's vested executive power or by power delegated by Congress.

Electoral College

Created a system for electing the president by electors from each state rather than by popular vote or by congressional vote.

State of the Union

Formal power of the President that is a nationally broadcast message for agenda setting that uses the media to influence public views about which policies are the most important.

Pardon

An executive power that completely forgives a crime and restores the civil liberties of an individual convicted of a federal offense. Granted solely by the President under the U.S. Constitution, a full pardon erases remaining legal punishments but does not technically erase the record of conviction itself.

Balance the ticket

A political strategy where a presidential candidate selects a running mate with different personal or political characteristics to appeal to a broader segment of voters. This tactic typically aims to offset the presidential nominee's perceived weaknesses by choosing a vice president from a different geographic region, ideological wing, or demographic background.

War Powers Act (Resolution)

A federal law enacted in 1973 designed to limit the President's power to commit U.S. military forces to armed conflict without congressional consent. It mandates that the executive branch notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and requires those forces to withdraw within 60 to 90 days unless lawmakers explicitly authorize the use of military force.