Chapter 4 - The Executive Branch

AP GOPO

ambassadors

Highest ranking US representatives in foreign countries

bully pulpit

The president's use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public

Cabinet

Group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

Chief of Staff

The person who is named to direct the White House Office and advise the president.

Commander in Chief

The role of the president as supreme commander of the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service

executive agreement

A formal agreement between the U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that does not require Senate approval.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

Ten organizations that advise the President. Includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisors, and National Security Council. Top positions must be confirmed by Senate.

executive order

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

executive privilege

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.

honeymoon period

The short time (days or months) following an election when a president's popularity and ability to influence Congress is at its highest.

impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

imperial presidency

Term used to describe a president as an "emperor" who acts without consulting Congress or acts in secrecy to evade or deceive congress

inherent powers

Powers the Constitution is presumed to have delegated to the National Government because it is the government of a sovereign state within the world community

lame duck period

The time during which a president who has lost an election or has ended a second term is still in office before the new president serves

line-item veto

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

National Security Council

An office created in 1947 to coordinate the president's foreign and military policy advisers. Its formal members are the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president's national security assistant.

pocket veto

A veto taking place when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president, who simply lets it die by neither signing nor vetoing it.

Presidential Succession Act of 1947

Establishes the line of succession to the powers and duties of the office of President of the United States in the event that neither a President nor Vice President is able to "discharge the powers and duties of the office".

recess appointments

Presidential action to temporarily fill executive branch positions without the consent of the Senate; done when Congress is adjourned.

signing statements

Formal documents that explain why a president is signing a particular bill into law. These statements may contain objections to the bill and promises not to implement key sections.

State of the Union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies.

stewardship theory

Argues for a strong, assertive presidential role, with presidential authority limited only at points specifically prohibited by law.

Twelfth Amendment

Adopted in 1804, that specifies the separate election of the president and vice president by the electoral college.

Twentieth Amendment

Moves up inauguration of the President from March to January in order to lessen the "lame duck" period

Twenty-Second Amendment

Passed in 1951, limits presidents to two terms of office.

Twenty-Third Amendment

Permits residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections.

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Passed in 1964, it declared poll taxes void in federal elections.

veto

A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

War Powers Act (1973)

Soldiers sent into military action overseas by the President must be brought back within sixty days unless Congress approves the action.

White House staff

Analysts and advisers to the president, each of whom is often given the title "special assistant"