Unit 2b: Executive Branch

Commander-in-Chief

President is commander of the army

Executive order

Force of law by the president

Pocket veto

Veto when the president doesn’t sign in time

Electoral College

Voting system for the president

Executive privilege

President can withhold information

“Take Care” Clause

President ensures that laws be faithfully executed

Expressed (formal) powers

Powers expressed in the Constitution

Inherent (informal) powers

Not in the Constitution

Veto

Refuse an act

Executive agreement

Agreements between two nations

Line-item veto

Reject provisions of a bill

War Powers Act

President needs congressional approval for war

Cabinet / Executive Department

Advises the president on certain things

Independent Executive Agency

Outside of departments

Independent Regulatory Agencies

Established by Congress

Government Corporation

Market-oriented public service

Patronage/Spoils System

Favoring certain people

Pendleton Civil Service Act (merit system)

Merit-based system

Iron triangle

Policy-making between Congress

Impeachment

Charges against a public official for misconduct

Chief Diplomat

Negotiations with foreign leaders

Chief Economist

Head of economics

Party Leader

Official representative of their political party

Chief Executive

President

Chief Legislator

Law is enforced