Unit II - Executive Branch

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."

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

Chief Executive (Head of Government)

Decides how the laws of the US are to be enforced and choosing officials and advisors to help run the Executive Branch

Chief Diplomat

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

Chief Legislator

term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress

head of state

The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally.

Chief of Party

Leader of the political party that controls the executive branch.

executive order

A rule issued by the president that has the force of law

signing statement

A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Usually, such statements point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional.

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

pocket veto

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

override

An action taken by Congress to reverse a presidential veto, requiring a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

Treaties

formal agreements between nations. Requires 2/3 of Senate approval.

Power of the Sword

The government's ability to influence behavior by using, or threatening to use, physical force through the police or military.

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country. Does not require Senate approval.

executive privilege

The power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

appointments

President chooses who they want for key positions. Senate approves presidents appointments by majority vote.

Senate Confirmation

the process outlined in Article Two of the Constitution, giving the Senate the authority to approve appointments made by the president. Simple majority (51+)

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Electors

people elected by the voters in a presedential election as members of the electoral college

winner-take-all system

an electoral system in which the party that receives at least one more vote than any other party wins the election

primary

A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

Imperial Presidency

President is seen as emperor taking strong actions without consulting Congress or seeking its approval

Bully Pulpit

the ability to use the office of the presidency to promote a particular program and/or to influence Congress to accept legislative proposals

State of the Union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies.

partisan

Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause

Social Media Platform

The influence of the President is greatly increased with access to Social Media in conveying information quickly to the public.

Approval Rating

Job performance evaluation for the president, Congress, or other public official or institution that is generated by public opinion polls and is typically reported as a percentage.

fiscal policy

Government policy that attempts to manage the economy by controlling taxing and spending.

revenue

the income a government receives to pay for its operations and services

Expenditures

Federal spending of revenues. Major areas of such spending are social services and the military.

mandatory spending

Federal spending required by law that continues without the need for annual approvals by Congress.

entitlement programs

Government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need.

discretionary spending

spending for programs and policies at the discretion of Congress and the president

Keynesian economics

Theory based on the principles of John Maynard Keynes, stating that government spending should increase during business slumps and be curbed during booms.

House Ways and Means Committee

Important House standing committee responsible for initiating all taxation bills.

Power of the Purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Presidential staff agency that serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.

Executive Office of the President

Agencies that perform staff services for the president but are not part of the White House

Executive Departments

agencies of the federal government responsible for carrying out laws, administering programs, and making regulations in their particular area of responsibility. Cabinet Positions

Executive Agencies

Federal agencies that are part of the executive branch but outside the structure of cabinet departments. Their heads typically serve at the pleasure of the president and can be removed at the president's discretion. (EX: EPA, CIA)

government corporation

A government agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program. (EX: NASA, USPS)

rule making authority

the power of an executive agency to issue regulations that carry the force of law

Iron Triangle

A close relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

issue network

webs of influence between interest groups, policymakers, and policy advocates

political patronage

the giving of government jobs to people based on their party affiliation and loyalty

civil service system

the practice of hiring government workers on basis of open competitive examinations and merit

merit system

A system of public employment in which selection and promotion depend on demonstrated performance rather than political patronage.

Spoils System

A system of public employment based on rewarding party loyalists and friends.

Congressional Oversight

a committee's investigation of the executive and of government agencies to ensure they are acting as Congress intends

committee hearings

A meeting or session of a House or Senate committee to obtain information and opinions on proposed legislation, conduct an investigation, or evaluate/oversee the activities of a government department or the implementation of a federal law

Appropriation

money that Congress has allocated to be spent

implementation

the process of putting a law, policy, or regulation into action

Evaluation

assessment of the design, implementation or results of a government program or activity for the purposes of continuous improvement, accountability and decision‑making.

Compliance Monitoring

Activities undertaken to establish whether a process or procedure is carried out in conformance with relevant external requirements, whether set through legislation, regulations, or directions

Red Tape

complex bureaucratic rules and procedures that must be followed to get something done

sunshine laws

Law requiring agency meetings and decision-making process to be open to the public. One way of making agencies more accountable to Congress and the public.

sunset laws

laws that automatically expire after a given time