AP Gov: Unit 4 Vocab

Federalist #70

Hamilton argues that a strong unitary executive is essential to a good government and protection of the community

Line-item veto

the power of a president, governor, or other elected executive to reject individual provisions of a bill

Executive Office of the President

the offices and agencies that support the work of POTUS (organize day-to-day work)

White House Office (WHO)

entity within the EOP that includes advisers and staff (don’t require Senate confirmation) who assist POTUS —> headed by Chief of Staff

Executive Order

written directive from POTUS that has the force of law

Executive Privilege

privilege of POTUS to withhold info in the public interest

Honeymoon Period

time early in a new President’s administration characterized by optimistic approval by the public

Bully Pulpit

POTUS has outstanding access to speaking out to the public about issues

Impeachment

charge of misconduct made against an officeholder

Watergate Scandal

Nixon’s employees planted listening devices in the Democratic National Committee headquarters to spy on them

Articles of Impeachment

documented statement which specifies the charges to be tried in an impeachment trial

War Powers Resolution

federal law that limits POTUS in committing the US to armed conflict without consent from Congress

Take Care Clause

POTUS “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed” — basis of inherent powers

Bureaucracy

a system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives

Patronage System

practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its supporters, friends, and relatives

Plum Book

lists positions in the United States government that are subject to political appointment

Hatch Act

ensure that federal programs are administered non-partisanly, and that federal employees are promoted based on merit, not political affiliation

independent regulatory commissions

federal agency that is created by Congress to oversee and regulate a specific industry or sector

Government Corporations

a company that is owned or controlled by the government but operates independently, like a private business

Authorization Laws

type of legislation used in the United States to authorize the activities of the various agencies and programs that are part of the federal government`

Appropriation Laws

appropriate funds to government departments and agencies

Administrative Rule Making

process by which government agencies create, change, or repeal rules/regulations