Presidency & Executive Branch: Key Terms, Powers, and Bureaucracy

Cabinet

Advisory group of the president made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments.

Electoral College

System used to elect the president in which states cast electoral votes based on representation in Congress.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Collection of agencies and advisors that assist the president in carrying out duties.

Executive Privilege

Power of the president to withhold information from Congress or courts for confidentiality or national security.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the president that have the force of law and guide executive agencies.

Impeachment

Process in which the House charges and the Senate tries federal officials for misconduct.

Impoundment

President's refusal to spend money Congress has appropriated.

Independent Agencies

Agencies outside executive departments that regulate specific policy areas (e.g., FCC, EPA, SEC).

Inherent Powers

Powers implied by the president's role, not explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Line-Item Veto

Power to veto individual parts of a bill; ruled unconstitutional in Clinton v. New York (1998).

Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

EOP agency that prepares the federal budget and reviews agency regulations.

War Powers Act (1973)

Limits the president's ability to deploy troops without congressional approval beyond 60 days.

Hatch Act

Limits political activity of federal employees to prevent partisan misuse of government resources.

Congressional Bureaucratic Oversight

Methods Congress uses to control agencies, including budgets, hearings, confirmations, and investigations.

Pocket Veto

Occurs when the president takes no action on a bill and Congress adjourns within 10 days.

Veto Message

Formal explanation sent by the president to Congress when vetoing legislation.

White House Office

Closest personal advisors to the president who do not require Senate confirmation.

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two elected terms.

25th Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

Personalization of the Presidency

Emphasis on the individual president's personality and leadership style.

Presidential Coattails

Ability of a popular president to help members of their party win congressional elections.

Mandate

Claim that an election victory signals public support for a president's policy agenda.

Divided Government

Presidency and at least one chamber of Congress controlled by different parties.

Gridlock

Legislative stalemate caused by partisan conflict, often in divided government.

Delegation of Powers

Congress granting authority to executive agencies to implement laws.

Sunset Laws

Laws requiring agencies or programs to be reauthorized or they expire.

Agency Policy-Making Discretion

Ability of agencies to interpret and implement laws within broad guidelines.

Discretion

Flexibility agencies have in enforcing and applying laws.