The Executive Branch

West Wing

Part of the White House Complex, it is the building housing the official offices of the President.

Executive Office of the President (EOP)

The President's immediate staff, as well as multiple levels of support staff reporting the the President. The EOP includes such entities as the Council of Economic Advisors, the National Security Council & the Domestic Policy Council. The EOP is headed by the White House Chief of Staff.

federal executive departments

The primary units of the Executive branch, for example, the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor, etc. The heads of the federal executive departments make up the Cabinet.

Commander-in-Chief

The role of the United States president as highest ranking officer in the armed forces.

Constitution of the United States

"The supreme law of the land," it is the document that embodies the fundamental laws & principles of the United States. Drafted at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 & ratified by the required nine states in 1788, the document replaced the Articles of Confederation & went into affect on March 4, 1789. It consists of the preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments (which were added later). It established a new federal republic, granting certain powers to the national government while reserving other powers to the states.

federal agencies & commissions

Also called "executive agencies" & "independent agencies," these are entities whose directors are nominated by the President. The CIA, the Environmental Protection Agency, The Federal Communications Commision & the Social Security Administration are among the hundred of federal agencies & commisions.

Cabinet

An advisory body to the president, consisting of the heads of the executive departments of the federal government. Cabinet officers are called "secretaries" (except for the Postmaster General & the Attorney General).

Oath of Office

An affirmation required by the Constitution before a newly elected President takes office.

Oval Office

An oval-shaped room in the White House that serves as the official office of the President.

White House Chief of Staff

The head of the Executive Office of the President & senior aide to the President.

New Deal

A group of government programs & policies established under President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930's; the New Deal was designed to improve conditions for persons suffering in the Great Depression. These included banking reform laws, emergency relief programs & agricultural programs.

legislative branch

The branch of the federal & state government empowered to make the laws that are then enforced by the executive branch & interpreted by the judicial branch. The legislative branch consists of Congress 7 the fifty state legislatures.

executive branch

The branch of the federal & state government responsible for implementing, supporting & enforcing the laws made by the legislative branch & interpreted by the judicial branch. The executive branch consists of the President, the Vice-President, the Cabinet, the federal executive departments (whose secretaries make up the Cabinet) & the Executive Office of the President.

Capitol

The building in Washington D.C., used by the U.S. Congress for its sessions.

judicial branch

The court systems of local, state & federal governments, responsible for interpreting the laws passed by the legislative branch & enforced by the executive branch.

White House Complex

The four principal structures & the adjoining outdoor ceremonial areas which serve as the seat of the executive branch of government. The structures are the Executive Residence (where the First Family lives); the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (houses the executive offices of the President & Vice-President); the West Wing (the location of the Oval office, Cabinet Room & Roosevelt Room); & the East Wing (houses the Office of the First Lady, White House Secretary & provides access to the State Rooms of the Executive Residence for tours & social events).

Secretary of State

The head of the United States Department of State, concerned with foreign affairs. The Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet & is the highest-ranking cabinet secretary both in line of succession & order of precedence.

veto

The power of a president or governor to reject a bill proposed by a legislature by refusing to sign into law.

checks & balances

The powers conferred on each of the three branches of government by which each restrains the others from exerting too much power.

Speaker of the House

The presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The speaker is second in line, after the vice-president, in succession to the presidency. In 2007 Nancy Pelosi became the first female Speaker of the House.