unit 2: executive branch vocab

Question 1

the president’s use of his position and visibility to guide or influence the american republic

Answer 1

bully pulpit

Question 2

an annual address given by the president to congress in which the president outlines his legislative agenda

Answer 2

state of the union

Question 3

the authority of congress to conduct hearing, investigations, and budget reviews regarding the actions of the executive branch

Answer 3

congressional oversight

Question 4

the inability of the government to act because opposing parties control different parts of the government and cannot agree on a course of action

Answer 4

gridlock

Question 5

authority given to the president that is specifically mentioned in the constitution

Answer 5

formal power

Question 6

authority given to the president that is not specifically mentioned in the constitution

Answer 6

informal power

Question 7

a directive that carries the weight of law that is given by the president without the consent of congress

Answer 7

executive order

Question 8

a pact between the president and the head of a foreign nation. Unlike treaties, they do not require senate consent and may only last for the duration of a president’s term

Answer 8

executive agreement

Question 9

a formal, public agreement between the united states and one or more nations that most be approved by 2/3s of the senate

Answer 9

treaty

Question 10

the heads of the 15 executive branch departments that also serve as advisors to the president

Answer 10

cabinet

Question 11

the president’s ability to keep certain communications private. United States v. Nixon clarified its limitations

Answer 11

executive privelage

Question 12

this provision of the constitution limits presidential terms to 2, not to exceed 10 years

Answer 12

22nd amendment

Question 13

this provision of the constitution states the process for presidential succession and disability

Answer 13

25th amendment

Question 14

the presidential power to deny a bill passed by congress

Answer 14

veto

Question 15

when a bill fails to become a law, because the president did not sign it within 10 days before congress adjourned

Answer 15

pocket veto

Question 16

the power to cancel specific dollar amounts within a bill. While the supreme court has ruled presidents may not use these, state governors still can

Answer 16

line-item veto

Question 17

issued by the president after passing a bill into law; reveals what the president thinks of a new law and how it ought to be enforced

Answer 17

signing statement

Question 18

the constitutional process of bringing charges against a government official

Answer 18

impeachment

Question 19

official forgiveness of a crime

Answer 19

pardon

Question 20

an official still in office after he or she has lost a bid for re-election or has reached his/her term limit

Answer 20

lame duck

Question 21

a large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

Answer 21

bureaucracy

Question 22

the part of the executive branch that supports the president his responsibilities, from security to trade

Answer 22

executive office of the president

Question 23

personnel who run day-to-day operations in the white house and advise the president

Answer 23

white house staff

Question 24

15 large agencies of the federal government that carry out laws and regulations within their respective areas. Each is headed by a secretary

Answer 24

executive departments

Question 25

agencies that are responsible for monitoring large government sectors, such as the federal reserve, and are not subject to control by either congress or the president

Answer 25

independent regulatory commissions

Question 26

a government agency that carries out business-like functions, such as the united states postal service

Answer 26

government corperations

Question 27

this part of the bureaucracy helps the president prepare the budget for the fiscal year

Answer 27

office of management and budget

Question 28

the extent to which appointed bureaucrats can choose courses of action and make policies that are not spelled out in advance by the laws of the constitution

Answer 28

discretionary authority bureaucratic discretion

Question 29

the part of the government that fulfills the daily function fo the bureaucracy. These government workers are hired on the basis of merit

Answer 29

civil service

Question 30

Procedure of hiring and promoting government employees on the basis of their abilities and competence rather than political favors.

Answer 30

merit system

Question 31

the law that created a merit-based system for the hiring of members of civil service

Answer 31

pendleton act

Question 32

a mutually beneficial relationship between an agency, a congressional committee, and an interest group

Answer 32

iron triangle

Question 33

the use of government authority to control of change business practices in the private sector

Answer 33

regulation

Question 34

a link of policy experts, interest groups, think tanks, congressional staff members, media pundits, etc. who regularly debate an issue

Answer 34

issue network

Question 35

a legislative grant of money to finance a government program of agency

Answer 35

appropriations