chapter 12

Legislative Veto

A vote in Congress to override a presidential decision. Although the War Powers Resolution asserts this authority, there is reason to believe that, if challenged, the Supreme Court would find the legislative veto in violation of the doctrine of separation of powers.

Cabinet

A group of presidential advisers not mentioned in the Constitution, although every president has had one. Today the cabinet is composed of 14 secretaries, the attorney general, and others designated by the president.

War Powers Resolution

A law passed in 1973, in reaction to American fighting in Vietnam and Cambodia, that requires presidents to consult with Congress whenever possible prior to using military force and to withdraw forces after 60 days unless Congress declares war or grants an extension. However, presidents have viewed the resolution as unconstitutional.

Council of Economic Advisors

A three-member body appointed by the president to advise the president on economic policy

Pocket Veto

A type of veto occurring when Congress adjourns within 10 days of submitting a bill to the president and the president simply lets the bill die by neither signing nor vetoing it

Executive Privilege

An implied presidential power that allows the president to refuse to disclose information regarding confidential conversations or national security to Congress or the judiciary.

Office of Management and Budget

An office that prepares the president's budget and also advises presidents on proposals from departments and agencies and helps review their proposed regulations.

Chief Legislator

term for the president as architect of public policy and the one who sets the agenda for congress

Vice President

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second Amendment

Ratified in 1951, this amendment limits presidents to two terms of office.

Twenty-Fifth Amendment

Ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job.

Executive Orders

Regulations originating with the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy

Party Chief

The President is the head of their political party.

Executive Office of the President

The cluster of presidential staff agencies that help the president carry out his responsibilities. Currently the office includes the Office of Management and Budget, the Council of Economic Advisers, and several other units.

National Security Council

The committee that links the president's foreign and military policy advisers. Its formal members are the president, vice president, secretary of state, and secretary of defense, and it is managed by the president's national security assistant.

Veto

The constitutional power of the president to send a bill back to Congress with reasons for rejecting it. A twothirds vote in each house can override a veto

Watergate

The events and scandal surrounding a breaking at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and the subsequent cover-up of White House involvement, leading to the eventual resignation of President Nixon under the threat of impeachment.

White House Office

The personal office of the president, which tends to presidential political needs and manages the media.

Commander-in-Chief

term for the president as commander of the nation's armed forces

Impeachment

The political equivalent of an indictment in criminal law, prescribed by the Constitution. The House of Representatives may impeach the president by a majority vote for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

Head of State

The role of the president as ceremonial head of the government.

Chief Executive

The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements.

Presidential Coattails

These occur when voters cast their ballots for congressional candidates of the president's party because they support the president. Recent studies show that few races are won this way

Emergency Powers

Wide-ranging powers a president may exercise during times of crisis or those powers permitted the president by Congress for a limited time.

Executive Departments

agencies of the federal government responsible for carrying out laws, administering programs, and making regulations in their particular area of responsibility