Gov Units 5 & 6

Federalist 70

Federalist paper by Alexander Hamilton supporting the idea of the presidency as a branch united in one individual. The president's energy is essential to good governance, as a multiplicity of executives is inherently weak.

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

20th Amendment

President starts on January 20th

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

25th Amendment

Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.

Presidential Succession Act

law specifying the order of presidential succession following the Vice President

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.

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Chief Administrator

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

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 (the idea of having a civilian lead the military to prevent tyranny)

Cabinet

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

Executive Agreements

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

State of the Union Address

a speech given annually by the president to a joint session of Congress and to the nation announcing the president's agenda

Presidential Veto

a president's authority to reject a bill passed by Congress; may be overridden only by a two-thirds majority in each house

Executive Orders

clarifications of congressional policy issued by the president and having the full force of law

Signing Statements

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

Solicitor General

Justice Department officer who argues the government's cases before the Supreme Court

Pardoning Power

release or excuse person from legal penalties of a crime

Inherent Powers

implied but not explicitly stated in the Constitution

Honeymoon Period

The first 100 days of a President's first term when Congress and the President get along.

Legislative Liaison

executive personnel who work with members of Congress to secure their support in getting a president's legislation passed

Divided Government

Governance divided between the parties, as when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

Unified Government

the same party controls the White House and both houses of Congress