Chapter 12: The President

Treaty

A formal international agreement between two or more countries; in the United States, requires the "advice and consent" of the Senate

Executive Office of the President

A group of organizations that advise the president on a wide range of issues; includes the Office of Management and Budget, the National Security Council, and the Council of Economic Advisers

Executive Order

A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the force of law, based either on the constitutional powers of the presidency or on congressional statutes

Chief of Staff

A top adviser to the president who also manages the White House staff

National Security Advisor

A top foreign policy and defense adviser to the president who heads the National security Council

Council of Economic Advisors

An organization in the Executive Office of the President made up of a small group of economists who advise on economic policy

National Security Council

An organization in the Executive Office of the President made up of officials from the State and Defense Departments, the CIA, and the military, who advise on foreign and security affairs

State of the Union Address

Annual address to the nation by the president, delivered before a joint session of Congress, on the state of the nation and his legislative proposals for addressing national problems

Unitary Executive

Constitutional doctrine that proposes that the executive branch is under the direct control of the president who has all authority necessary to control the actions of federal bureaucracy personnel and units without interference from the other federal branches

Unified Government

Control of the executive and legislative branches by the same political party

Divided Government

Control of the executive and the legislative branches by different political parties

Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Part of the Executive Office of the President that advises on the federal budget, domestic legislation, and regulations; helps the president prepare the annual budget request to Congress and does oversight of rulemaking by executive branch agencies

Veto

Presidential disapproval of a bill that has been passed by both houses of Congress. The president's veto can be overridden by a 2/3 vote in each house

Pocket Veto

Rejection of a bill if the president takes no action on it for 10 days and Congress has adjourned during that period

Institutional Presidency

The permanent bureaucracy associated with the presidency, designed to help the incumbent of the office carry out his responsibilities