Government by the People Chapter Eleven Key Terms

A comprehensive set of flashcards based on key terms and concepts related to U.S. government and the presidency from Chapter Eleven.

What is the Cabinet in the context of the U.S. government?

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

What role does the Chief of Staff play in the White House?

The head of the White House staff.

What is a Congressional-executive agreement?

A formal agreement between a U.S. president and the leaders of other nations that requires approval by both houses of Congress.

How does the Electoral College function in U.S. elections?

It is the electoral system used to elect the president and vice president, where voters vote for electors pledged to a particular party's candidates.

What distinguishes an Executive agreement from a Congressional-executive agreement?

An Executive agreement does not require Senate approval.

What is an Executive memorandum?

A less powerful formal order to agency or agencies that does not carry the force of law.

What does the Executive Office of the President (EOP) entail?

It includes a cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out responsibilities.

What are Executive orders?

Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the Federal bureaucracy.

What is the significance of Executive privilege?

The right to keep executive communications confidential, particularly regarding National Security.

What does impeachment refer to in U.S. governance?

A formal accusation against a president or other public official, the first step in removal from office.

What is Impoundment in the context of federal spending?

A decision by the president not to spend money appropriated by Congress, which is now prohibited under Federal law.

What are Inherent powers?

Powers that grow out of the very existence of government.

What was ruled unconstitutional regarding the Line item veto?

The presidential power to strike specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package.

What does a Mandate represent for a president?

A president’s claim of broad public support.

What is the function of the National Security Council (NSC)?

It coordinates the president's foreign policy and military policy advisors.

What is the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) responsible for?

It serves as a clearinghouse for budgetary requests and management improvements for government agencies.

What characterizes a Parliamentary government?

A system where the legislature selects the prime minister or president.

What is a Pocket veto?

A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress if the president takes no action during Congress's adjournment.

What does Political capital mean for a president?

The amount of overall public approval that a president can use to win support for major decisions and proposals.

What does a Presidential support score indicate?

The percentage of times a president wins on key votes in Congress.

What is a Presidential ticket?

The joint listing of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on the same ballot.

What is the Rally point in relation to presidential approval?

A rising public approval of the president that follows a crisis.

What is a Recess appointment?

A presidential appointment made without Senate confirmation during Senate recess.

What is a Signing statement?

A formal document explaining why a president is signing a particular bill into law.

What is the State of the Union Address?

The president’s annual statement to Congress and the nation.

What does the Take care clause require of presidents?

To ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.

What must occur for a Treaty to be valid?

It must be approved by two thirds of the Senate.

What is the Twentieth Amendment known for?

It changed the presidential inauguration date from March 4th to January 20th.

What does the Twenty-fifth Amendment provide?

It allows the vice president to become acting president if both the vice president and the president’s cabinet agree the president is disabled.

What does the Twenty-second Amendment stipulate?

It limits presidents to two terms of office.

What is the Vesting clause in the Constitution?

It grants the president the constitutional authority to control most executive functions.

What is a Veto in legislative terms?

A formal decision to reject a bill passed by Congress.

What does the War Powers Resolution require from the president?

To give advance warning of a military attack or seek Congress's declaration of war.