American Politics Today-Chapter 11 The Presidency

Unilateral Action (presidential)

Any policy decision made and acted upon by the president and his staff without the explicit approval or consent of Congress.

What is the purpose of the OMB (Office of Management and Budget)?

Creates annual federal budget that the presidents presents to congress each January for approval.

State of the Union

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

Constitutional Authority

Powers derived from the provisions of the Constitution that outline the president's role in government.

Executive agreement

An agreement between the executive branch and a foreign government, which acts as a treaty but does not require Senate approval.

Go Public

A president's use of speeches and other public communications to appeal directly to citizens about issues the president would like the House and Senate to act on.

Signing Statement

A written declaration that a president may make when signing a bill into law. Usually, such statements point out sections of the law that the president deems unconstitutional.

Impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Vesting Clause

Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution, which states that "executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America," making the president both the head of government and the head of state.

Chief Diplomat

As chief diplomat, the president dominates American foreign policy, a role that has been supported many times by the Supreme Court

Head of State

Engages in a number of activities that are largely symbolic or ceremonial.

What is the purpose of the 25th Amendment?

Establishing procedures in the event of presidential incapacity, death, or resignation

Statutory Authority (presidential)

Powers derived from laws enacted by Congress that add to the powers given to the president in the Constitution.

Executive orders

Proclamations made by the president that change government policy without congressional approval.

Recess appointment

Selection by the president of a person to be an ambassador or the head of a department while the Senate is not in session, thereby bypassing Senate approval. Unless approved by a subsequent Senate vote, recess appointees serve only to the end of the Congressional term.

Cabinet

The group of 15 executive department heads who implement the president's agenda in their respective positions.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The group of policy-related offices that serves as support staff to the president.

Unitary Executive Theory

The idea that the vesting clause of the Constitution gives the president the authority to issue orders and policy directives that cannot be undone by Congress.

Presidential Approval Rating

The percentage of Americans who feel that the president is doing good job in office.

What is patronage?

The practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts.

Chief Executive

The president is constitutionally bound to enforce the acts of Congress, the judgments of federal courts, and treaties signed by the United States.

Commander-in-Chief

The president is in charge of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. The president decides where troops shall be stationed, where ships shall be sent, and how weapons shall be used. All military generals and admirals take their orders from the President.

First-Mover Advantage

The president's power to initiate treaty negotiations. Congress cannot initiate treaties and can only consider them one they have been negotiated.

Executive Privilege

The right of the president to keep executive branch conversations and correspondence confidential from the legislative and judicial branches.

How are treaties made and approved?

Treaties are international agreements that have received the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate and have been ratified by the President.

Name 3 agencies within the Executive Office of the President.

White House Office, Office of Administration, and National Security Staff.

Fast-track authority

an expedited system for passing treaties under which support from a simple majority, rather than a two-thirds majority, is needed in both the House and Senate, and no amendments are allowed.