Chapter 13 American Government Vocab

veto

Authority of the president to block legislation passed by Congress. Congress can override a veto by a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

pocket veto

Automatic veto that occurs when Congress goes out of session within ten days of submitting a bill to the president and the president has not signed it.

entitlement programs

Federal programs, such as Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid, that pay out benefits to individuals based on a specified set of eligibility criteria.

New Deal

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's program for ending the Great Depression through government intervention in the economy and development of a set of safety-net programs for individuals.

pardon

Full forgiveness for a crime.

commander in chief

Leader of the armed forces of the United States.

Great Society

Lyndon Johnson's program for expanding the federal social welfare programs in health care, education, and housing and for ending poverty.

bully pulpit

Nickname for the power of the president to use the attention associated with the office to persuade the media, Congress, and the public to support his policy positions.

presidential directive

Official instructions from the president regarding federal policy.

omnibus bill

One very large bill that encompasses many separate bills.

chief of staff

Person who coordinates and oversees interactions among the president, his personal staff, and his cabinet secretaries.

imperial presidency

Power of the president to speak for the nation on the world stage and to set the policy agenda at home.

executive privilege

President's right to engage in confidential communications with his advisers.

executive order

Presidential directive that usually involves implementing a specific law.

impeachment

Process whereby the House brings charges against the president or another federal official that will, upon conviction by the Senate, remove him or her from office.

State of the Union address

Speech on the condition of the country given by the president to Congress every January.

lame duck

Term-limited official in his or her last term of office.

War Powers Act

The 1973 act that provides that the president cannot send troops into military conflict for more than a total of ninety days without seeking a formal declaration of war, or authorization for continued military action, from Congress.

head of state

Title given to the president as national leader.

signing statements

Written remarks issued by the president when signing a bill into law that often reflect his interpretation of how the law should be implemented.