Executive Branch

Question 1

Gridlock

Answer 1

A situation where the legislative process is stalled because lawmakers can’t agree on policy decisions

Question 2

Formal Power

Answer 2

Explicit authority granted to an individual in office by a governing document

Question 3

Informal Power

Answer 3

Unofficial capabilities or influence that an executive has outside of governing documents

Question 4

Executive Order

Answer 4

Official directives issued by the President without Congressional approval

Question 5

Executive Agreement

Answer 5

International agreements made by the President without need for Senate approval

Question 6

Treaty

Answer 6

Formal agreement made between two or more sovereign states that are legally binding

Question 7

Cabinet

Answer 7

Group of presidential advisors

Question 8

Bully Pulpit

Answer 8

The platform that the President has to advocate for their agenda

Question 9

State of the Union

Answer 9

The annual address that the President gives to the Congress to outline their goals for the year

Question 10

Executive Privilege

Answer 10

The right of the President/high ranking officials to refuse to disclose information

Question 11

22nd Amendment

Answer 11

Limits the President to two terms in office

Question 12

25th Amendment

Answer 12

Outlines the Presidential succession

Question 13

Veto

Answer 13

The power of an official to reject a decision or proposal made by a legislative body

Question 14

Pocket Veto

Answer 14

Veto made by President when they take no action on a bill for ten days when Congress is adjourned

Question 15

Line-Item Veto

Answer 15

Allows an executive to veto parts of a legislative proposal

Question 16

Signing Statement

Answer 16

A written comment issued by a President at the time of signing legislation

Question 17

Impeachment

Answer 17

Constitutional procedure through which federal officials can be removed from office for committing high crimes and misdemeanors

Question 18

Pardon

Answer 18

Power of President to forgive individuals of federal crimes

Question 19

Lame Duck

Answer 19

An elected official in the final period of their term

Question 20

Congressional Oversight

Answer 20

The power of Congress to monitor federal agencies

Question 21

Bureaucracy

Answer 21

Large and complex system of administration consisting of appointed officials

Question 22

Executive Office of the President

Answer 22

The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the President carry out his responsibilities

Question 23

White House Staff

Answer 23

Group of advisors who support the President in carrying out their duties

Question 24

Executive Departments

Answer 24

Primary units of the executive branch responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and regulations

Question 25

Independent Regulatory Commissions

Answer 25

Federal agencies created by Congress that are designed to regulate specific economic activities or interests

Question 26

Government Corporations

Answer 26

Entities created by the government to provide specific services that are considered to important for the government to leave in private hands

Question 27

Office of Management and Budget

Answer 27

Responsible for assisting the President in overseeing the preparation of the federal budget and evaluating effectiveness of agency programs

Question 28

Discretionary Authority/Bureaucratic Discretion

Answer 28

The power given to government agencies or officials to make decisions based on their own judgement when implementing laws

Question 29

Civil Service

Answer 29

A system of hiring and promotion based on the merit system

Question 30

Merit System

Answer 30

Method of hiring and promoting government employees based on merit rather than political ideologies

Question 31

Pendleton Act

Answer 31

Federal act that established a merit based system for federal employment

Question 32

Iron Triangle

Answer 32

The policymaking relationship between congressional committees, the bureaucracy, and interest groups

Question 33

Issue Network

Answer 33

The complex web of relationships among various stakeholders, including government officials, interest groups, and other entities that come together around a specific policy issue

Question 34

Appropriation

Answer 34

A law of Congress that provides an agency with budget authority

Question 35

Regulation

Answer 35

Rules and guidelines created by government agencies to control and manage activities, behaviors, or processes within society