U.S. Presidency Powers, Checks, and Bureaucracy: Key Concepts and Processes

Executive Power

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.

Chief Executive

Take care that the laws be faithfully executed (Article II, Section 3).

Impeachment

A check on the president.

Nixon Charges

Obstruction of Justice, Abuse of Power, Contempt of Congress.

Clinton Charges

Perjury, Obstruction of Justice, Abuse of Power.

Trump Impeachment Charges

Abuse of Power, Obstruction of Congress; Incitement of Insurrection.

War Powers Act

President must notify congress about military actions 48 hours after they occur.

Executive Agreements

Agreements the president can make with foreign nations without Congressional Approval.

Chief Manager of Economy

Works with Congress to decide federal spending and tax policy.

Executive Order

President instructs government workers to perform certain actions.

Types of Executive Orders

Enforce Legislation, Enforce Constitution or Treaties with Foreign Nations, Establish/Modify Rules or practices of agencies.

Bully Pulpit

The power to persuade Congress.

Trends of the President

President/Executive Branch has become a more powerful and important position in US politics.

Judicial Powers

Appoints Federal judges, with agreement of majority of Senate.

Veto Powers

Approves laws passed by Congress, Veto, or Pocket Veto.

Line Item Veto

Could veto a part of legislation and approve the rest; struck down by Supreme Court.

Rulemaking

Agencies create Regulations in a process that enforce a piece of legislation.

Delegated Discretionary Authority

The process where decision-making power is assigned to lower-level officials or agencies.

Iron Triangle

Framework that states that Congress/legislators, Agencies/Departments, and Interest Groups/Lobbyists work together.

Cabinet

Advise the president and lead departments.

Federal Bureaucracy Structure

White House staff: Only president picks; Executive Office of the President: Only president picks.

Executive Privilege

Right of Executive Officials to withhold information before a legislative committee.

Federal Register

Official journal of the federal government of the United States.