AP Gov Unit 2B — Executive Branch & Bureaucracy

Chief Executive

Enforces and carries out federal laws and manages the executive branch.

Chief Legislator

Influences Congress and helps shape laws, mainly by proposing policies, recommending legislation, and using the veto.

Commander in Chief

Leader of the U.S. military and can direct military operations.

Chief Diplomat

Handles foreign policy, including negotiating with other countries and making treaties.

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two elected terms (a maximum of 10 years if they first became president through succession).

25th Amendment

Explains presidential succession and disability. It allows the vice president to become president if the president dies, resigns, or is unable to serve.

20th Amendment

Moves the start of presidential and congressional terms to January 20 for the president and January 3 for Congress.

12th Amendment

Requires electors to cast separate votes for president and vice president.

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington, D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections.

Federalist #70

Argued by Alexander Hamilton that the country needs a strong, energetic executive so the government can act quickly and effectively.

Executive Privilege

The president’s claimed power to keep certain information confidential, especially communications involving the president and advisers.

Watergate

The scandal that showed executive privilege is not absolute; the Supreme Court required Nixon to release recordings, demonstrating that the president is not above the law.

Cabinet

A group of leaders of major executive departments who advise the president and help run the federal government.

Vice President

First in the presidential line of succession, serves as president of the Senate, and can be an important adviser to the president.

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Helps the president prepare the federal budget and oversees how executive agencies use government resources.

Presidential Veto

The president rejects a bill passed by Congress.

Congressional Override

Congress can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate.

Pocket Veto

If Congress leaves town and the president doesn’t sign a bill within the required time, the bill does not become law.

Line-Item Veto

The power to reject specific parts of a bill without rejecting the entire bill; the U.S. president does NOT currently have this power.

Executive Orders

Directives from the president that tell executive branch officials how to carry out laws.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign governments that do not require Senate approval.

Signing Statement

A written statement made by the president when signing a bill into law, often explaining how the administration interprets or plans to enforce it.

State of the Union Address

The president’s yearly address to Congress explaining the condition of the country and the president’s policy goals.

Honeymoon Period

The beginning of a president’s term when they often have higher public support and more cooperation from Congress.

Bully Pulpit

The president’s ability to use the attention and visibility of the presidency to persuade the public and influence Congress.

Congressional Oversight

Congress’s ability to monitor and investigate executive agencies to ensure they are following laws and using money properly.

Bureaucratic Regulatory Agencies

Agencies that create and enforce rules for specific areas of government and the economy.

Discretionary Power

The ability of bureaucrats to choose how to implement and enforce laws within the authority Congress gives them.

Government Corporations

Government-run organizations that provide services similar to private businesses.

Deregulation

Reducing or removing government regulations on businesses or industries.

Whistleblower Protection Act

Protects federal employees who report illegal, wasteful, or dangerous government activities from retaliation.