apgov chapter 5

How does Congress check executive power?

Through its budgetary powers and the ability to override vetoes.

What role does the Senate play in checking the president?

The Senate confirms nominations to the cabinet and federal judiciary with a majority vote and ratifies treaties with a two-thirds vote.

What power does Congress have regarding war?

Congress has the power to declare war and passed the War Powers Resolution to restrict the president's ability to commit troops.

What is the War Powers Resolution?

A law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the president from maintaining troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization.

What power does the House have concerning impeachment?

The House has the power to impeach a president for high crimes or misdemeanors.

What is required for the Senate to convict and remove an impeached president?

A two-thirds vote in the Senate is necessary to convict and remove an impeached president.

How can the Supreme Court check the president's actions?

The Supreme Court may overturn executive actions.

What is impeachment?

The process of removing a president from office, initiated by articles of impeachment issued by a majority vote in the House, followed by a trial in the Senate.

Why might Congress be more successful in checking the president's domestic agenda than foreign affairs?

This is often due to the complexities and urgency of foreign policy decisions, which can limit congressional influence.

Why do presidents issue executive orders that might be blocked by the Supreme Court?

Presidents may issue executive orders to implement policies quickly, even if they are aware that these orders could be challenged in court.

president

The executive leader of the nation serving a four-year term with the possibility of reelection.

formal (or enumerated) powers

Powers expressly granted in the Constitution.

informal powers

Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.

treaty

An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.

State of the Union Address

The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs.

veto

Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.

pocket veto

An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a session.

presidential pardon

Presidential authority to release individuals convicted from a crime of legal consequences and forgive an individual and set aside punishment for a crime.

executive privilege

A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress.

executive agreement

An agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification.

signing statement

Written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself.

executive order

Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.

executive power

The powers granted to the president to carry out the laws of the nation, guide foreign policy, make policy recommendations to Congress, veto legislation, act as commander in chief of the military, and grant pardons.

natural-born citizens

Individuals who are citizens of the nation by birth, a requirement for presidential candidates.

age requirement for president

Candidates must be at least thirty-five years old.

residency requirement for president

Candidates must be a resident of the nation for fourteen years.

tyranny

Oppressive power exerted by a government or ruler.

Congressional checks on the president

The formal mechanisms provided in the Constitution to limit presidential power.

expansion of presidential power

The use of executive agreements, executive orders, and signing statements by presidents to increase their authority.

Vice President

Assumes the office of the presidency should a serving president vacate the office due to death, infirmity, resignation, or impeachment.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Sets the modern rules of succession and also establishes a process for replacing a vice president who leaves office during his or her term.

First Spouse

Typically chooses a policy area to focus on and uses her influence and visibility to call attention to the issue and promote solutions.

Executive Office of the President

A collection of agencies and offices that assist the president in both an advisory and policymaking capacity.

Public Opinion

Plays an important role in expanding or constraining the power of individual presidents.

Approval Ratings

A president's approval ratings tend to decline over time.

Executive Office of the President (Definition)

A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president.

Bargaining and Persuasion

Informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his policy initiatives.

Bully Pulpit

Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his policies.

Going Public

A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president's policy goals.

Public Approval Ratings (Question)

Should presidents use public approval ratings in making difficult policy decisions?

Obligation of Presidents (Question)

Do presidents have an obligation to make difficult decisions, even when the public does not support those decisions?