APGOV UNIT 3

Inaugural Address

A speech given by the new president immediately after being sworn into office.

Electoral College

The group of people (electors) chosen by voters in each state who officially elect the president and vice president.

Formal powers

Powers of the president that are explicitly listed in the Constitution.

Informal powers

Powers of the president that are not written in the Constitution but are based on tradition or interpretation.

treaty

A formal, official agreement made between the United States and another country.

State of the Union

An annual speech the president gives to Congress reporting on the nation's condition and suggesting new laws.

veto

The president's constitutional power to reject a bill passed by Congress.

pocket veto

An indirect veto where the president does nothing with a bill, and Congress adjourns within 10 days.

pardon

The president's power to completely forgive someone for a federal crime.

commutation

The president's power to reduce a person's sentence for a federal crime.

amnesty

A pardon given to a large group of people who have broken a specific law.

reprieve

The president's power to postpone a person's punishment for a federal crime.

President's Cabinet

A group of the president's top advisors, who are the heads of the 15 executive departments.

Party Conventions

Large meetings held every four years by political parties to officially nominate their presidential candidate.

executive privilege

The president's right to keep some information secret from Congress and the courts.

executive agreement

An agreement between the president and a foreign leader that does not require Senate approval.

signing statement

A written comment issued by the president when signing a bill into law.

executive order

A rule or command issued by the president that has the same power as a law.

War Powers Resolution

A 1973 law that limits the president's ability to send troops into combat without Congress's approval.

AUMF (Authorization for Use of Military Force)

A law passed by Congress that gives the president the authority to use military force in a specific situation.

impeachment

The process where the House of Representatives files formal charges against a government official for wrongdoing.

bully pulpit

The president's unique ability to get media attention and speak directly to the American people.

22nd Amendment

A constitutional amendment that limits the president to serving only two terms in office.

25th Amendment

A constitutional amendment that outlines the process for replacing the president if they die, resign, or are disabled.

Presidential succession

The official order of who takes over the presidency if the president is unable to serve.

bureau

A name for a government agency, usually a smaller unit within a larger department.

department

The largest type of government agency, led by a Cabinet secretary.

agencies

A general term for any government organization that carries out laws and provides services.

bureaucracy

The large, complex system of agencies and employees that run the day-to-day operations of the government.

civil service

The group of all government employees who are hired based on their skills, not on political connections.

political patronage

Giving government jobs to friends and political supporters as a reward for their loyalty.

nepotism

The practice of favoring family members or relatives by giving them government jobs.

Pendleton Act

An 1883 law that created the civil service system, requiring government jobs to be given based on merit.

merit system

The process of hiring and promoting government employees based on their ability and skills.

iron triangle

The strong, mutually beneficial relationship between an executive agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group.

issue network

A loose group of many different people and organizations who work together on a specific policy issue.

implementation

The process of a government agency putting a new law or policy into action.

bureaucratic discretion

The power of a government agency to make its own choices about how to carry out a vaguely written law.

regulation

A specific rule created by a government agency that explains how a law will be enforced.

deregulation

The process of removing or reducing government rules and regulations on businesses.

bureaucratic adjudication

A process where a government agency acts like a court to settle disputes and enforce its rules.