AP GOV Chapter 7 Vocab

bully pulpit

The ability to have an audience to convince the public to support their policy preferences.

cabinet

The formal body of presidential advisers who head the fifteen executive departments. Presidents often add others to this body of formal advisers.

executive agreements

Formal international agreements entered into by the president that do not require the advice and consent of the US Senate

Executive Office of the President(EOP)/ White House office

A mini-bureaucracy created in 1939 to help the president oversee the executive branch bureaucracy

executive order

Rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. All executive orders must be published in the Federal Register.

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.

office of management and budget(OMB)

The office that prepares the president’s annual budget proposal, reviews the budget and programs of the executive departments, supplies economic forecasts, and conducts detailed analyses of proposed bills and agency rules.

pardon

An executive grant providing restoration of all rights and privileges of citizenship to a specific individual charged with or convicted of a crime.

Presidential Succession Act(1947)

A 1947 law enacted by Congress that provides for the filling of any simultaneous vacancy of the presidency and vice presidency

signing statements

Occasional written comments attached to a bill signed by the President

25th amendment

Adopted in 1967 to establish procedures for filing vacancies in the office of president and vice president as well as providing for procedures to deal with the disability of a president

22nd amendment

Adopted in 1951; prevents presidents from serving more than two terms, or more than ten years if they attain office via the death, resignation, or removal of their predecessor.

veto

The formal, constitutional authority of the president to reject bills passed by both houses of Congress, thus preventing them from becoming law without further congressional action.

amnesty

a general pardon for an offense against a government

clemency

general term for the president's power to grant forgiveness for a crime in whole or in part. Pardons and reprieves are two types

Chief Executive/Administrator

the president's executive role as the head of federal agencies and the person responsible for the implementation of national policy.

Chief Citizen(Head of State)

the representative of all the people and the champion of public opinion.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements

Chief Legislator

The role of the president in influencing the making of laws

Chief of Party

the leader of the political party that controls the executive branch.

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.

commutation

The power to reduce the length of a sentence or a fine imposed by a court

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

National Security Council(NSC)

a committee in the executive branch of government that advises the president on foreign and military and national security.

pocket veto

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

policy agenda

a set of issues, problems, or subjects that gets the attention viewed as important by people involved in policymaking such as government officials and government decision-makers.

reprieve

The presidential power to postpone the execution of a sentence imposed by a court of law;

War Powers Act/ Resolution(1973)

an act that checked and limit the power of the president by requiring the approval of congress to put American troops in combat areas.

White House Chief of Staff

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

White House Press Secretary

senior White House official whose primary responsibility is to act as spokesman for the United States government administration, especially with regard to the president, senior executives, and policies.

White House staff

includes the president's most trusted aides, the counselor to the president, a number of senior advisors, and top officials who work with the president in the areas of foreign policy, the economy, national health care, the media, and defense.