AP Government: Unit 2 - Executive

veto

the power of an official, particularly the president, to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislative body

pocket veto

when the president takes no action on a bill for ten days while congress is adjourned

executive agreement

a binding international agreement made by the president without the need for senate approval

executive privilege

an implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security

formal power

powers explicitly granted to the president in the constitution

informal power

unofficial, implied powers presidents use beyond what the constitution explicitly grants

signing statement

statement that announces the presidents view of the constitutionality of certain aspects of the bill

bully pulpit

a means of communicating with the american people through the media coverage of presidential events

state of the union address

the president's annual statement to congress and the nation

constitution

a nation's fundamental law, establishing governmental structure, dividing powers, creating institutions, and often guaranteeing citizen rights

federalist 70

argues alexander hamilton advocated for a strong, unitary executive (one president), essential for an "energetic" government capable of swift action, protecting liberty, and ensuring accountability

federalist 78

essay by alexander hamilton arguing for an independent judiciary with the power of judicial review, calling it the "least dangerous" branch but essential for checking legislative power, ensuring courts interpret the constitution over statutes, and protecting rights through lifetime appointments for judges

baker v carr

ruling that federal courts can hear redistricting cases under the 14th amendment's equal protection clause, establishing that legislative apportionment isn't a "political question" beyond judicial review, thus paving the way for the "one person, one vote" principle and forcing states to redraw districts for fairer representation, not just for urban areas but rural ones too

shaw v reno

ruled that oddly-shaped districts created primarily to segregate voters by race, even to enhance minority representation under the voting rights act, violate the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment, requiring "strict scrutiny" for race-based redistricting and rejecting extreme racial gerrymandering that disregards traditional principles like compactness and contiguity

marbury v madison

established judicial review, the principle that the supreme court can declare acts of congress unconstitutional, solidifying the judiciary as a co-equal branch with power to check the other branches and interpret the constitution as the supreme law