Presidency Vocab - AP Gov

Some vocab on the executive branch!

Parliamentary system

A system of government in which the legislature selects the prime minister or president.

Presidential ticket

The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot as required by the Twelfth Amendment.

Treaty

A formal, public agreement between the United States and one or more nations that must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.

Executive agreement

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

Congressional-executive agreement

A formal agreement between a U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that acquires approval by both houses of Congress.

Veto

A formal decision to reject the bill passed by Congress.

Pocket veto

A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress after it adjourns, allowing the president to take no action at all.

Take care clause

The constitutional requirement that presidents take care that the laws are faithfully executed.

Inherent powers

Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.

State of the Union Address

The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation.

Impeachment

Formal accusation against a president or other public official, the first step in removal from office.

Executive privilege

The right to keep executive communications confidential, especially related to National Security.

Executive orders

Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.

Impoundment

A decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress, now prohibited under Federal law.

Line item veto

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

Chief of staff

The head of the White House staff.

Executive Office of the President

The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out responsibilities.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements.

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and other officials.

Rally point

A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis.

Mandate

A president’s claim of broad public support.

Cycle of decreasing influence

The tendency of presidents to lose support over time.

Cycle of increasing effectiveness

The tendency of presidents to learn more about doing their jobs over time.