AP GOV Unit 2 Test

Federalist No. 70

Argument that the executive branch should have one president (unity) and a longer term (duration) to ensure decisive leadership and accountability.

Energy (Executive)

The president’s ability to act quickly and decisively.

Deliberation (Congress)

The careful debate and discussion of laws before they are passed.

Fear of Executive Power

Early Americans feared the president could become too powerful like a monarch, so limits and checks were created.

22nd Amendment

Limits presidents to two elected terms.

25th Amendment

Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

Presidential Succession

Vice President → Speaker of the House → President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Commander in Chief

President’s role as leader of the U.S. military.

Veto

President rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Pardon

President forgives a federal crime and cancels punishment.

Treaty

Formal agreement with another country that requires 2/3 Senate approval.

Executive Agreement

International agreement made by the president without Senate approval.

Bully Pulpit

President uses media and public attention to influence policy.

Divided Government

When the president and Congress are controlled by different political parties.

Gridlock

Government struggles to pass laws due to political conflict.

Bipartisanship

Cooperation between Democrats and Republicans.

Lame Duck Period

Time between the election and the new president taking office.

Congressional Oversight

Congress monitors the executive branch through hearings and investigations.

Power of the Purse

Congress controls government spending and funding.

Pocket Veto

President ignores a bill for 10 days while Congress is adjourned and the bill dies.

Cabinet Departments

Major executive agencies that advise the president and manage policy areas.

Regulatory Commission

Independent agency that regulates industries

Government Corporation

Government-owned organization that provides services like a business.

Discretionary Authority

Power of agencies to interpret and implement laws.

Iron Triangle

Relationship between congressional committees, bureaucratic agencies, and interest groups.

Compliance & Monitoring

Agencies enforce laws through inspections, fines, and investigations.

Spoils System

Government jobs given to political supporters.

Merit System

Government jobs based on qualifications and exams.

Pendleton Act

Created the merit-based civil service system.

Political Patronage

Giving government jobs to loyal political supporters.

Rule-Making

Process where bureaucratic agencies create regulations to implement laws.

Executive Order

Presidential directive that manages federal government operations.

Signing Statement

President explains how a law will be interpreted when signing it.

President appoints a cabinet member; Senate must approve

Appointments Clause / Senate confirmation.

Congress cuts funding for a presidential program

Power of the purse / congressional oversight.

President signs an agreement with another country without Senate approval

Executive agreement.

Congress cannot pass laws because parties disagree

Gridlock.

President refuses to sign a bill at the end of a congressional session

Pocket veto.

Interest groups, Congress, and agencies cooperate on policy

Iron triangle.

Agency writes detailed rules to enforce a law

Rule-making.

President uses speeches and media to push Congress to pass a law

Bully pulpit.

President becomes unable to perform duties and VP takes over

25th Amendment.

President pardons someone convicted of a federal crime

Pardon power.