textbook vocab

Electoral College

Electoral College

A system used in the United States to elect the President and Vice President, where each state has a certain number of electors based on its population. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to win the presidency.

Bully Pulpit

A platform from which the president can promote their policies and agenda, often through speeches, press conferences, and other media interactions. The term emphasizes the power of the president’s public presence.

Veto Message

A formal message from the President to Congress explaining why a bill is being rejected. This message is sent to accompany a presidential veto.

Pocket Veto

A veto that occurs when the President does not sign a bill into law within 10 days while Congress is adjourned, effectively killing the bill without issuing a formal veto.

Line Item Veto

The power to reject specific provisions of a bill (often related to spending) without vetoing the entire bill. This power was ruled unconstitutional for the president but still exists for some governors.

Signing Statement

A statement issued by the president when signing a bill into law, often expressing the president's interpretation of the law or indicating how they will implement it.

Pyramid Structure

A hierarchical organizational structure in which a president's staff members report through a chain of command to a chief of staff or senior aide, with decision-making often centralized at the top.

Circular Structure

An organizational structure in which multiple aides and staff members have direct access to the president, creating a more decentralized approach where the president interacts with a range of advisors.

Ad Hoc Structure

A flexible and temporary organizational structure used by a president to address specific issues or situations, where task forces or committees are created as needed without a permanent staff organization.

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisors who head the executive departments of government. The cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution but is a key part of the executive branch.

Legislative Veto

The ability of Congress to override a decision made by the executive branch, often through a resolution. It was ruled unconstitutional in 1983, but some forms still exist.

Impeachment

The process by which a sitting president, vice president, or other federal officials can be charged with misconduct while in office. Impeachment is initiated by the House of Representatives, and removal from office requires a conviction in the Senate.

Bureaucracy

A system of government where important decisions are made by state officials or administrators, rather than elected representatives. It consists of various departments and agencies responsible for implementing policies and administering government functions.

Government by Proxy

When the government relies on private contractors, agencies, or state and local governments to implement programs or provide services on its behalf, often to save costs or leverage specialized expertise.

Laissez-faire

An economic philosophy advocating minimal government interference in business and market operations. The government allows private enterprise to operate freely.

Discretionary Authority

The ability of bureaucratic agencies and officials to make decisions and take actions not explicitly outlined by law or regulation, allowing for flexibility in interpreting and implementing policy.

Competitive Service

A category of government jobs that require applicants to go through a competitive hiring process, including examinations or other evaluative methods to ensure qualifications.

Name Request Job

A position in the federal bureaucracy where an agency or department has identified a specific person for the job, bypassing the competitive process. It’s often used for politically sensitive or appointed positions.

Authorization Legislation

Laws passed by Congress that establish or continue the operation of government programs, specifying their objectives, authority, and the activities they can carry out.

Appropriation

The legal authorization for the federal government to spend money for specific purposes, often outlined in annual spending bills passed by Congress.

Trust Funds

Accounts in the federal government where money is set aside for specific purposes, such as Social Security or Medicare. These funds are managed and spent according to the purposes they were established for.

Committee Clearance

The practice of allowing congressional committees to approve or review certain executive branch decisions or actions before they are carried out, ensuring legislative oversight.

Red Tape

Refers to excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, often leading to delays, inefficiency, or frustration for those seeking government services or approvals.