Powers and Roles
The branch of government charged with putting the nation's laws into effect.
Executive Branch
Formal rejection by the president of a bill that has passed both houses of Congress.
Veto
Written comments issued by presidents while signing a bill into law that usually consist of political statements or reasons for signing the bill but that may also include a president's interpretation of the law itself.
Signing Statement
A collection of offices within the White House organization designed mainly to provide information to the president.
Executive Office of the President (EOP)
Powers expressly granted in the Constitution.
Formal or Enumerated Powers
An informal veto caused when the president chooses not to sign a bill within ten days, during a time when Congress has adjourned at the end of a season.
Pocket Veto
Policy directives issued by presidents that do not require congressional approval.
Executive Order
An informal tool used by the president to persuade members of Congress to support his or her policy initiatives.
Bargaining and Persuasion
Powers not laid out in the Constitution but used to carry out presidential duties.
Informal Powers
Presidential authority to release individuals convicted of a crime from legal consequences and set aside punishment for a crime.
Presidential Pardon
A law passed over President Nixon's veto that restricts the power of the president to maintain troops in combat for more than sixty days without congressional authorization.
War Powers Resolution
Presidential appeals to the public to pressure other branches of government to support his or her policies.
Bully Pulpit
An agreement with a foreign government negotiated by the president and requiring a two-thirds vote in the Senate to ratify.
Treaty
A right claimed by presidents to keep certain conversations, records, and transcripts confidential from outside scrutiny, especially that of Congress.
Executive Privilege
Impeachment
A tactic through which presidents reach out directly to the American people with the hope that the people will, in turn, put pressure upon their representatives and senators to press for a president's policy goals.
Going Public
The annual speech from the president to Congress updating that branch on the state of national affairs.
State of the Union Address
An agreement between a president and another nation that does not have the same durability in the American system as a treaty but does not require Senate ratification.
Executive Agreement