gov chapter 11

constitutional authority

powers derived from the provisions of the constitution that outline the president’s role in government

presidential approval rating

the percentage of americans who think the president is doing a good job in office

statutory authority

powers derived from the laws enacted by congress that add to the powers given to the president in the constitution

vesting clause

the constitution states that the executive power shall be vested in a president of the united states, making the president the head of government and head of state

head of state

role in which the president represents the country symbolically and politically

head of government

role in which the president had authority over the executive branch

recess appointment

selection by the president of.a person to be an ambassador or head of a department while the senate is not in session by passing senate approval but this term is only limited up until the end of congressional term.

presidential appointment process

this is how a president can appoint people to different positions in the government such as ambassadors or supreme court justices. But for more select positions such as supreme court justices the senate must approve the person as well, this is a limit on the presidents power

presidental pardon

presidental pardon is when the president can pardon someone of a something at the federal level such as a crime, this is the one power that the president has that is unique meaning not checks and balances on this

executive orders

proclamations made by the president that change government policy without congressional approval

commander in chief

the president would be in control of americans military forces but congress is the one who declares war. President is in control of day to day stuff with military and can still send troops into battle without congressional approval

war powers resolution

way of restraining president’s war making power

the president would have too report to congress if they launch any us forces into battle, and they have 60 days to terminate use of force unless congress approves itl.

treaty making

is between congress and president, president makes the treaty and senate approves with 2/3 vote. senate cant force president on what to say but president knows senate has to approve so they will compromise in the treaty to make sure senate approves

president can also do voluntary abiding by treaty which doesnt require congress approval but makes it easy for other presidents to get rid of it

executive agreement

agreement with executive branch and foreign government which acts as a treaty but does not require senate approve

state of the union

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

pocket veto

the president vetoes a bill by basically ignoring it after congress has adjourned

executive privilege

the right to keep executive branch conversations and correspondence confidential from the legislative and judicial ranches

institutional presidency and whats it composed of

refers to the large amount of staff, bureaucracy and advisory systems that have been developed to support the us president

composed of the executive office of the presidend and the cabinet

executive office of the president and their goal

group of policy related offices that serve as support staff to the president

goal is to help president achieve their policy goals and get reelected

chief of staff

serves as agent of the president, head od the executive office and leads daily white house operations

vice president and formal duties

the vice president’s job is to preside over senate proceedings , and has the ability to cast tie breaking votes in the senate, other formal duty is to become president if something happens to the vice president

cabinet

group of 15 executive department heads who implement the presidnet’s agenda in their respective positions

unilateral action

any policy decision made and acted upon y the president and presidential staff without the explicit approval or consent of congress

signing statment

a document issued by the president when signing a bill into law explaining the president interpretation of the law which often differs from the interpretation of congress in an attempt to influence how the law will be implemented

going public

a presidents use of speeches and other public communication to appeal directly to citizens about issues the president would like the house and senate to act on

basic criteria for presidency

35 years old, lived in usa for 14 years, natural born citizen

formal powers of president

chief of state and bureaucracy

nominate and appoint key officials

implement and enforce laws

veto bills

negotiate treaties

recognize foreign nations

commander in chief

pardon or grant clemency

power to convene congress

what is clemency

not erasing crime but if they want to get someone out of jail earlier, presidents do this typically for non violent crimes and normally at end of presidency same with pardoning

informal powers

proposes annual budget

develop policies to promote peace nationally and international, some develop doctrines

national morale builder

public opinion leader

party leader

what is the take care clause

has to make sure laws are faithfully executed

what is constructionist

president who if the constitution of congress doesnt allow it, they dont do it.

what is stewardship

president who believes that its their job to care for us and as long as what they arent doing is strictly forbidden then they will do it

25th amendment when was it made and what does it say

made in 1967

says that vice president can appoint new vice president with majority on congress

and the vice president and the cabinet can say if the current president is unfit to lead.

what is the presidential succession act of 1947

says who is in line for presidency

so president, vice president, pro tem, secretary of state, so on based on the cabinet

they also have to meet the qualifications of presidency so even if they are next they will be skipped

white house office

also known as WHO is composed of the vp, vp staff, chief of staff and the secretaries, they are the people who interact the most with the president

presidential power (neustadt)

idea that presidents real power is the power to pesuade

2 presidencies thesis

idea that we have 2 presidents, foreign president and domestic president

foreign president is strong and doesnt need congress approval to do things

domestic president is weak and needs approval

unitary executive

is a theory that says that president is head authority over all executive branch

impoundment

when the president or executive branch deliberty withholds something like funds or resources to get a specific goal

what is impeachment

process of bringing charges of a crime against a government official

how does the impeachment process work

first the house would have the investigation, if majority which is 50+1 vote yes then president is impeached, you cant undo an impeachment, next they send it to the senate for the trial, if 2/3 vote yes the government official is removed immediately