Gov Executive Vocab

ad hoc structure

Several subordinates, cabinet officers, and committees report directly to the president on different matters.

bully pulpit

The president’s use of his prestige and visibility to guide or enthuse the American public.

cabinet

The heads of the 15 executive branch departments of the federal government.

circular structure

Several of the president’s assistants report directly to him.

compliance monitoring

The process of making sure that bureaucrats and bureaucratic agencies are acting to carry out their duties as intended.

divided government

One party controls the White House and another party controls one or both houses of Congress.

electoral college

The people chosen to cast each state’s votes in a presidential election. Each state can cast one electoral vote for each senator and representative it has. The District of Columbia has three electoral votes, even though it cannot elect a representative or senator.

executive agreement

An informal power of the president that allows him/her to make non-binding agreements with leaders of other countries.

executive order

The president, acting as chief bureaucrat, uses this implied power to influence how laws or regulations are implemented.

gridlock

The inability of the government to act because rival parties control different parts of the government.

impeachment

Charges against a president approved by a majority of the House of Representatives.

legislative veto

The authority of Congress to block a presidential action after it has taken place. The Supreme Court has held that Congress does not have this power.

line-item veto

An executive’s ability to block a particular provision in a bill passed by the legislature.

pocket veto

A bill fails to become law because the president did not sign it within 10 days before Congress adjourns.

pyramid structure

A president’s subordinates report to him through a clear chain of command headed by a chief of staff.

signing statement

A presidential document that reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced.

unified government

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

veto message

A message from the president to Congress stating that he will not sign a bill it has passed. Must be produced within 10 days of the bill’s passage.